This is just plain wrong.

[Woody]

http://moms.today.msnbc.msn.com/_news/20...om-using-walker

[Dottie]

Apparently the mother did not know the power of an IEP (Individual Education Plan).

[Liz]

I read about this in another article, but wouldn't you know I can't find it now, but anyways, it was stated that the walker was not the right size or type for this little girl and she had fallen a couple of times while using this particular walker. Thereby, the school deemed it unsafe. I read in this other article--that I can't find-- that the school wanted her to use her wheelchair until the parents got her a better walker, but then everything got blown out of proportion, the mom took it to the media and the school circled their wagons. I rarely side with public schools, but in this case I can see the concern. If the little girl were to fall and hurt herself while using a walker not really meant for her, then the parents would sue the school. And there are tons of options between different walkers and braces or combo's to keep this child mobile.

[cricket]

What happens when another child comes to school in shoes that are too big for him and proceeds to trip and fall in the school parking lot? Or, when another student falls over backward because of the heavy load of books in her backpack?

We're Americans. We'll all be in wheelchairs sooner or later:

[Woody]

The question here is:

Who decides what is the best meds or best equipment or shoes is best for a child?

Did the school have a professional made their assessment to go contrary to the parent's judgment?

I don't know the answer to these questions but would be interested.

[Liz]

What happens when another child comes to school in shoes that are too big for him and proceeds to trip and fall in the school parking lot? Or, when another student falls over backward because of the heavy load of books in her backpack?

I haven't dealt with the public school system in a long time. But "back in the day" I know if someone came to school improperly dressed they were sent home. We didn't have school uniforms but we did have dress codes, and they were strictly enforced, including measuring skirts if they thought they were too short.

As for the heavy backpacks, around here they don't have books, they get photocopied pages, which is a huge gripe with a friend who does deal with the local public school, but that is another problem with the local school in my opinion.

I really liked those pics by the way.