Children with Cerebral Palsy Face Troubles at School
A pair of recent school-related incidents that involve children with cerebral palsy are troubling examples of why many parents of children with birth injuries often seek out learning environments that are best suited for individuals with disabilities.
Born with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, 5-year-old LaKay Roberts had used a walker to help her get around during the last two years while attending school in the New Caney Independent School District in Texas. She had initially used a wheelchair, but had progressed to the point where she could stand on her own.
However, following an incident where LaKay fell down while in the parking lot of her school, administrators are now attempting to force her to switch back to using a wheelchair. According to her mother Kristi, going back to a wheelchair would be an insult to all the progress LaKay has made.
If she can walk now, please let her walk,” Kristi told NBC’s The Today Show. “Don’t strap her in a wheelchair. We’ve worked so hard. She has worked so hard.”
In an unrelated, but sadly similar, story out of Alabama, fourth-grade-student Jose Salinas - who was also born with cerebral palsy – was recently subjected to verbal abuse by his teacher. The remarks from teacher – which were caught on a tape recorder attached to Jose’s wheelchair – allegedly focused on his “disgusting” drooling, which is involuntary and caused by his birth injury.
An official from the Houston County School system told MSNBC that the teached had been placed on a leave of absence and an investigation into the situation was underway.
If your child was born with cerebral palsy and needs special accommodations to help them learn in the best environment possible, there may be significant expenses associated with getting such a situation organized. Contact Sokolove Law today and learn more about pursuing a birth injury lawsuit if your child’s cerebral palsy was caused by medical error. A monetary reward from a cerebral palsy lawsuit can be used specifically to pay for care your child will need throughout his or her life.
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