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Parents as Advocates for Special Needs Children
Standing up for Your Child with Special Needs
By Kim Byrum Skinner
Even without adequate public funding, Dieter's seen gradual progress, which she attributes to heightened volunteerism and group advocacy.
Robb agrees. "Advocacy as a whole educates the community at large," she says. "Paving paths for Samuel has created a mutual respect between the individuals or leaders in the fields I am working in and myself. When folks see my willingness to go the extra mile, speak for my son, step out of my comfort zone or work to create change, even those who might not agree with it seem to admire it. When you work closely with a teacher, educating them on the needs of a child like Samuel or any child with unique needs, you are, in effect, creating a new advocate."
"All of these things took many years of work in physical and occupational therapy, and he isn't done," Robb says. "Sam can ski, participates in adapted sports and has made many friends. His perseverance is remarkable, and we are, as parents, very proud of his work and accomplishments."
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