Every IEP meeting is a new experience. Luckily, my wife and I are always prepared – and some may say even over prepared. We have never truly had a bad experience, even though we have heard some horror stories from friends, neighbors, and colleagues who run the IEP-gauntlet just as frequently as we do.
We’ve always looked at the IEP experience as more than just a requirement. It’s more than just a duty for parents of kids with special needs. It is an opportunity to advocate. It is one singular moment to be the voice of a child. As a Dad, it is an opportunity for me to both protect her interests, and liberate her through access.
And nothing highlighted this more than our recent IEP for Isabella’s transition from preschool to kindergarten. It’s an awesome sight, the IEP meeting. And I mean awesome in a frightening sense. This time ar...
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Isabella Madeleine Mack was born on October 4, 2004. Her parents, Stephen & Denise, were thrilled at the arrival of their first-born child. The pregnancy was very pleasant, therefore you can imagine the surprise when shortly after Isabella’s arrival, she turned blue and began moving her arms uncontrollably. She was kept in Intensive Care at Lake Forest Hospital for monitoring – doctors initially suspected epilepsy. When the results were inconclusive, they decided to pursue a CT and MRI. The original screen was also determined to be inconclusive. The doctors were concerned; at just one day old, Isabella was transported to Evanston Hospital for further evaluation.
Stephen stayed with Isabella for the next two days as Denise... 
