70 million dreams 70 million economic contributions, our communities. My 8 yo is one of them. He wants to be an engineer. While the #disabilityrights community is ready for the fight of our lives, we need YOU to raise your voices for our children who can't vote or protest. TELL YOUR REPS to save DoE

There are 70 million American children's whose education rights and futures are on the line if we dismantle federal funding and oversight from the D of Ed. 50 years of 504 and IDEA litigation have shown us that states will NOT fulfill the law without federal accountability and funding. 10/

Am I a waste of money ? A poor investment? An exception? While not all kids regardless of disability will become physicians. Studies show that investing in kids with disabilities has a 2-3 times the return on investment than those without. Sp Ed decreases social welfare use, increases employment 9/

Special education laws and employment protections made it possible to have my inpatient and ICU months spread out in residency and fellowship.
Special education laws made it possible for me to become a double boarded pediatrician, educator, researcher, and medical school faculty member. 8/

Special education laws made it so my college built a ramp to my freshman dorm and updated the elevator in the science buildings.
Special education laws made it possible that I could have a stool in the anatomy lab in medical school and in the OR during my surgery clerkships. 7/

Special education laws allowed me extra time to navigate the hallways in middle and high school.
Special education laws allowed me two sets of textbooks one at school, one at home, which was especially helpful when I was taking college level science in high school. 6/

Special education laws allowed me to use a computer for writing assignments, from failing writing assignments to winning a creative writing award in 3rd grade.
Special education laws made home bound education possible in 4th grade and in middle school when I was out having surgery. I kept up. 5/

Special education laws caught my hearing loss in 1st grade when I was failing to learn to read.
Special education laws helped me catch up with hearing aides and pull out reading. I went from reading special ed outside the classroom to the highest reading group in one year. 4/

Special education laws made sure I got PT and OT in preschool which helped me become a community walker.. I was the only neurotypical kid in my pre K class. It was segregated.
Special education laws made it so my pre K teacher and mom won the fight to put me in a mainstream kindergarten class. 3/

I’m a double generation navy brat, I lived in 5 states before the age of 18. Federal special education laws like 504 (currently under ligation threat!!!) and IDEA made it so where ever my Dad was stationed I had access to a fair appropriate public education. 2/

It’s addictive

Oh Rachel I’m sorry.

It’s nice here! Karibu Sana!