Mother Of Epilepsy Disabled Boy Seeks Housing And Education Grants
by Brenda R. Curtis
Playground Fun December 2009
My son was first diagnosed with epilepsy when he was in first grade with absence seizure petit mal. He struggled with his schoolwork staying focused throughout the day. His doctor explained that he also had a severe form of ADHD. That was the start of an ongoing uphill battle. His doctor also said that he could develop grand mal seizures at any given time. I took every precaution I could. He was on three kinds of medication and barely able to keep awake during the day. I had a really hard time convincing the school he needed an IEP (Individualized Education Program). I fought time and time again for his rights. Finally I got an advocate who fights for children's rights and he helped us greatly. The teachers were extremely hard on him. They would not acknowledge his hard efforts at first. I had to keep after them to give him a fair shot. Even with the awards at the school they acknowledge the kids with no disabilities more than the kids with disabilities. Time and time again I was trying to say to them I was fighting for my son's rights and all the other kids with disabilities. They didn't understand this. My son doesn't understand why the teachers or the community leave him out. I explain to him that it's their loss not ours. Now my child gets left out and passed over because I have fought so hard at the school in which he attends in Greenville County, SC. He gets sick more often than the rest of the kids with great immune systems. His father doesn't acknowledge his disabilities and never gets him any kind of birthday or Christmas presents or even comes to see him. The only thing I ever wanted for my son was a chance to be acknowledged to be able to get the things that every kid get a chance at. We are on food stamps and we live in a house that has mold, mildew and it is not safe to breathe it in. I have been here for eight years trying to find another place to live. It is not easy on a limited income. I want so much for Brice to have a house. I am limited to a job because of his grand mal seizures that I have to stay where I can run down to the school to attend to him if he has a grand mal seizure. He has had a grand mal at the school starting at the beginning of 4th grade. My son now takes three different medications plus one more Diastat when he has a seizure so he does not lose brain function. I am a single mom, skilled technician and had to put my job on hold because I am his caretaker. I am a good mom and would fight for any child's rights and have done so time and time again. I would like the community and the United States and the World to acknowledge the disabled. They have beautiful minds and they deserve a chance just like the rest of us. Love, Acceptance and Education is the key to compassion in which we need so much more in this world. I need for my son a program that will lift him up to give him a fighting chance in this world. We need a grant to help us to get a house and help for his education. My son and I would be so appreciative to be able to get these things and would give back by fighting for other disabled children and adults. He is a great boy and has a huge heart towards helping others because of his disabilities. He knows what it is like to survive through these adversities. This is not the whole story of our struggles but is a start to tell his 11-year-old life story. Looking for a miracle for my son Brice. Thank you for listening to part of our story. Sincerely, Brenda R. Curtis.
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