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After I published "Inequities Within Medicaid/Medicare And The Dastardly Actions Of The DEA," we have found out that the school system is attempting to access the children's medical records. My sister believes they are attempting to take custody of her children. Whether or not this is the case, I have no evidence to substantiate it; however, today my sister began receiving calls from various social workers whom cited information that was only referenced in the above mentioned Op-Ed.
Then, to put the icing on the cake, my sister told me that after my niece moved up here with my Mother and one of my twin sons, the State of Florida had stated to her that they didn't believe that my niece was living with my Mom and my son, but alone with me; they insinuated that something was “going on”, and why did she allow her daughter to live alone with her Uncle? That was never the case! Anyone on this site is aware of the numerous posts I have made that referenced my Mom, her subsequent passing away in October, and even before my Mom passed away, my sister and her son have lived with us!
My Niece always had trouble in school, and her grades were sub-standard. I changed her diet, helped her with homework, and suddenly, she was an honor roll student. The Vice-Principal of her previous school told me that whatever I was doing, not to change anything. Her grades at the end of the last school year were among the top ten of the entire sixth grade in the school she attended. She only told me this today because she knew that my reaction would be pure, unadulterated hatred and anger - and to be honest, right now I'm absolutely furious! I should add that I believe the reason she rapidly became so good at her schoolwork was because her father was abusive - and removing her from that situation, along with a lot of praise and changing her diet allowed her to flourish. The Vice-Principal stated that when she first started school, she was extremely withdrawn and shy; by the end of the school year, he stated that she was now a very happy child and was well liked by teachers and students alike.
About two weeks ago, I attended my Nephew's IEP meeting. (It deals with special education and their plans to assist him.) Somehow or other, the conversation wandered around to "No Child Left Behind" and the ramifications it posed to the school and students. I mentioned that In Kansas, I had interviewed several Professors, Republican I might add, who believed that President Bush's program was severely hurting the educational system. In fact, at ESU, the 4th rated teachers college in the United States, quite a large number of students majoring to become teachers were changing their majors to business because of "No Child Left Behind."
I also stated that the psychologists and psychiatrists whom were treating my nephew felt that he should be in a special school for the disabled located in Gainesville, Ga. The Principal disagreed, stating that he was "doing just fine where he was at." He's 11 years old and reads on a second-grade level. Without help, he has trouble structuring complete sentences. He is in the 4th grade, and much to my surprise, he got all 100's on his latest tests. I work with him, as does his mother, and I know what he is capable of. Keep in mind that schools are punished if a child doesn't achieve their goals, and I was extremely suspicious, knowing that when it's homework time, he often becomes frustrated and runs to his room crying. They send 4th grade homework home with him, but only allow him to check out books from the library that are second-grade level. Anyway, I became frustrated at the meeting and stated that Bush should be sent to The Hague for what he has done to our educational system and his multiple war crimes.
That was my mistake, and I admit it. The principal flashed me a look of utter disbelief and disgust. Since then, my nephew has been living a nightmare. His school bus driver stated that he was the most disruptive child on the bus, and if he didn't stop, he would no longer be allowed to ride the bus. Yesterday, the commotion on the bus was so bad the driver almost had to pull the bus to the side of the road. (My Nephew wasn't on the bus yesterday - he was at a Dr.'s appointment.) Today, the bus driver told him that if it wasn't for the camera on the bus that proved he wasn't there, he would have received a pink slip prohibiting him from being able to ride the bus. If anyone can figure out what the rationale for that statement was, you're a better person that I am, because I'm lost...Oh, I almost forgot; I was informed at the IEP meeting that my Nephew had been absent for six days, and any further absences - even though they may be because he was ill, could result in me or my sister having to appear in front of a Judge - and we could be put in jail for any further absences. This was related to me at the beginning of the IEP meeting, and I don't take well to threats, especially when dealing with a "special needs" child. I'd be a liar if I didn't admit that my attitude was soured for the remainder of the meeting.
Anyway, my writing has gotten me in trouble, plus my statement at the IEP meeting. I can understand the Principal being angry at me, but taking it out on an 11 year old disabled child is absolutely reprehensible. To be fair to the school system in this county, my Niece’s Middle-school is fantastic and has been of assistance whenever they could. In fact, they rate higher than most schools she has attended except for the last one, which was absolutely exceptional.
Anyway, my sister is scared to death that the county is working in an attempt to take her children away. If that happens, I will be requesting whatever support I can from the Op-Ed News community in the form of letters to the Editor, Senators and similar activities. One of my twin sons stated that I brought all of this upon myself - that I should have quit writing when I moved into a county that was so heavily Republican. I was extremely angered by his remark, as I consider it to be my right - my duty in fact, that wherever I live in the United States to express my political views. I keep a low profile and never leave the house unless it's a Dr. Appointment, shopping, or a visit to the emergency room - and to do less is to admit that the forces of conservatism have won and cower in submission…
We are selling anything of value that we own in an effort to move further north in the county. That will allow my niece to attend her school; however my nephew will have to be transferred to a grammar school further north, as we live in the southern part of the county. I have written this diary in the event that my sister's children are taken away, or somehow, I wind-up facing bogus charges for something that I haven't done. Yes, we're worried, but in spite of that, I refuse to be intimidated. I have always stated there will be casualties as we attempt to restore the rule of law and our constitutionally based government - but in all honesty, I really didn't believe that someone as low on the totem-pole as I could be one of them. I'm having serious second-thoughts about that now, and only the future will allow us to see where the chips finally fall.
William Cormier
