Ready, Set, Advocate. After 3 years of contentious and emotionally taxing IEP meetings I am so very thrilled to report that today was different. Today I felt that my son's best interest was put before everyone's ego's, budgets and agendas. I feel like the advocacy efforts put forth in the last 3 years laid a firm foundation for today's OFFER of a general education setting with the proper supports for Blake. I could honestly not be happier or more relieved than I am in this moment. Now we can go back to focusing on his learning and development instead of going back and forth with lawyers like we did all last summer. Blake's team has been given the opportunity this year to know him, to care for him and to cheer him on. He is no longer just a line item on the districts budget but a student who is a contributing member of his school environment to the best of his ability. I look forward to collaborating with his team to ensure his academic success ... whatever that may be. The sky is the limit for every student with differences. #DownSyndrome is just one part of who Blake is and it's not going to stop him from reaching his personal potential. To any mother reading this who is exhausted, defeated or unsure know this: YOU are the expert on your child and THEY deserve to be included in their class, in their communities and in this world REGARDLESS of their "disability" or "ability". Keep fighting! 👊🏻 Never Give Up! #InclusionWorks #AdvocacyMatters #Advocacy #Inclusion #specialeducation #education #IEP #Parenting #SpecialNeedsParenting #Advocate #AdvocateInStyle