If you are a parent of a special needs child then you very well know how challenging it is to obtain services and placement for your special needs child from public schools. I am a mom, an entrepreneur and the founder of a nonprofit for special needs children/families. The nonprofit is The Jonathan Foundation for Children with Learning Disabilities (and beyond, because we advocate for all children no matter what the diagnosis is). We raise money for psychoeducational assessments that test in the areas of social, emotional, behavioral, cognitive and academic domains.
Below is a link the the nonprofit.
https://thejonathanfoundation.org/en-us/
I fought for my special needs sons diagnosed with ADHD, highly gifted and learning disabled. Jonathan struggles with severe dyslexia and Omar struggles with depression, writing and vocabulary deficits. I fought the second larges school district in the nation that took me to 9th Circuit Federal Court not to provide services. I went through a tremendous amount of trials and tribulations fighting the system as a “novice” mom. The lawsuit for both sons combined lasted eight years with many obstacles and road blocks. Public schools are supposed to educate our children for free, but my experience is both my sons paid the highest price possible For a “Free and Appropriate Public Education”.
I was compelled to write a book of my personal journey with the national broken special education system. My journey started 25 years ago and 25 years later the system has not changed. I am hoping my book will provide families with resources, hope and support.
To give you an insight of the book please read the review below from Italo!
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Raja,
Congratulations on telling your story in a very factual and readable manner. It’s an excellent navigation tool for parents that are experiencing similar trials with their children.
Your story reminds me that culture, family, religion, and governments are the cornerstones and foundation of our values, our personal characteristics, and our infrastructures. These are our key valued assets. However, at times, our most valued assets become barriers and insurmountable impediments. They force us to throw up our arms in despair and be paralyzed by the very tools that are supposed to help us. I can only imagine the personal stress that you went through in writing UNSTOPPABLE. You were forced to relive those moments of personal isolation. You were forced to remember the personal effort needed to overcome those “well intentioned” local, state, and social government processes.
Your story teaches us a very crucial lesson – these cornerstones and key valued assets are only the beginning.
You rose above the impediments. Your dedication to your sons required uncompromised commitment and perseverance, all wrapped up in immense personal sacrifice. Your commitment to helping your sons, not only overcame these impediments, but gave you the strength to help others.
Your book is an excellent instrument and a roadmap in navigating a very complex and confusing process.
Management by commitment is by far the most effective management approach in getting results.
Unfortunately, our culture is driven by yesterday. Our governments and social services avoid commitment and are driven by process.
I hope that we can learn from your story, identify the things that are truly important and manage them with the commitment needed to achieve good results.
I congratulate you and thank you for writing UNSTOPPABLE.
Italo
I am happy to announce “UNSTOPPABLE” is available on amazon.
Below is the link to purchase “UNSTOPPABLE”.
Thank you,
