|
 |
 Selma Curtis has three children. One of them, Kenya, has cerebral palsy and attends Biscayne Academy Institute through the state-funded McKay Scholarships Program for Students with Disabilities, which allows parents of students with special needs to send their child to a school of their choice.
Selma talks about her struggle to find a quality educational option for Kenya:
"Kenya is a very happy child. She likes to smile. But, she is very demanding. She’s mentally and physically profoundly handicapped and she can’t walk, she can’t talk."
"The public school system has been some help, but not enough. I felt Kenya was not making enough progress in public schools."
"While she was in the public school I felt she wasn’t getting all that she deserved or needed."
"When I learned about the McKay Scholarships, I chose one of the schools that fit her needs. The McKay Scholarship gives parents a choice -- a choice in their child’s future. You have an opportunity to make some decisions about the services your child will receive."
Through the scholarship program, Kenya now attends "a private school solely for handicapped and children with disabilities, from mild to severe."
"She will receive much more in the private school system: psychological services, speech therapy, and more aggressive physical and occupational therapy."
"My short term goal for Kenya is for her to learn to operate her own wheel chair. I’m hoping some day she can walk and talk."
|
