DS Hero Starts Scholarship !!

Many of you have read about the waiter, Michael Castro from a small Texas town, who defended the little boy with Down syndrome when another customer was rude to him.  The other customer was quoted as saying "Special needs kids should be kept in special places".  The waiter came to the defense of Milo Castillo, the little boy with DS, and he refused to serve the rude customer.   This amazing waiter has become a hero and not only has he received all kinds of notariety, but also donations!  Fans of Mr. Garcia have donated $1,145.00 to him for his courageous act. 

Guess what?  He donated ALL the money to the Rise School of Houston, a  preschool for special needs children that little Milo attends. 

Please read the article for yourself at the link below:

http://www.examiner.com/article/waiter-who-defends-boy-with-down-syndrome-starts-scholarship

IDEA

I'm mad. I am so MAD! Can you believe there is still DISCRIMINATION against Down syndrome?  Dulles Middle School, here in Texas thinks it is their decision whether a child is allowed in the classroom or not.
I have a friend with a child, Riley. He has Down syndrome. Dulles Middle school is kicking him out of the regular classroom. Riley has been in the regular classroom from kindergarten through 5th grade. Now all of a sudden, he doesn't belong.
 For the past week, I read the law, IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act). It is very clear. The school by federal law must provide every child a 'free appropriate public education' in the least restrictive environment.
Riley has been on the CMF protocol (http://www.changingmindsfoundation.org/ ) for 5 years. So, in fact, he is capable of learning many things. In science, he learned all of the lab equipment and what it was used for. For example, he knows that a beaker is used to measure volume. But putting aside the fact that he can learn, it is completely against the law to automatically place him in a life skills classroom segregated from his peers just because he has Down syndrome.
The school is not backing down. They are determined to segregate him. This is blatent DISCRIMINATION!
 Will you please help fight this injustice? Riley needs your help. Please write or call in protest:
Fort Bend ISD Administration Office can be reached by:

(281)634-1000
P.O. Box 1004
Sugar Land, TX 77487-1004
askFBISD@fortbendisd.com
Here is the web page for all the school board members in Fort Bend ISD
http://www.fortbend.k12.tx.us/board/meet.cfm
If you are reading this blog, you probably have a connection with Down syndrome in some way. If the school is allowed to do this to Riley, they can do it to anyone.