Rachel Wise, State Board of Education

Rachel Wise, District 3, Nebraska State Board of Education (October, 2013)

Amazing Individuals!

Today I decided to take a break from my usual process of reporting on a topic related to the State Board of Education’s agenda and to write about an area important to me, for a totally different set of reasons. October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, so it seemed timely to focus on the topic of individuals with disabilities. I must preface this article by sharing with you that I was once a special education teacher and administrator, and I have a passion for all students, including students with disabilities. It is important to bring public awareness to all types of syndromes, disabilities and health issues, but sometimes we focus on the syndrome or issue and we overlook the individual, this article is dedicated to some amazing individuals.

Federal and state laws have created an opportunity for all students with disabilities to receive a free, appropriate and individualized education. Nebraska Department of Education (NDE) sets the rules and provides a variety of supports and services to children with disabilities from birth through age 21. Other NDE services include Nebraska Vocational Rehabilitation, which helps adults and older students with disabilities prepare for employment, and Disability Determinations Service, which determines if an individual with a disability qualifies for Social Security disability benefits.

I first want to give a shout out for the community in which I live. The Oakland Independent newspaper recently ran a wonderful article about the crowning of the 2013 homecoming king. The Oakland-Craig student body voted for Kyle Johnson, their friend and their classmate who happens to have been born with Down Syndrome to serve as their homecoming king. This community support goes a step deeper, with  Jagger Benne, also born with Down Syndrome, serving as a crown bearer.

Next, I would like to share with you the story of a young lady I am honored to call a friend.  Brandis was also born with a syndrome, Vaters Syndrome. This syndrome is not as well known or recognized as many syndromes, but it has created a host of life-long medical challenges for Brandis, challenges that include more than 80 surgeries beginning with heart surgery when she was just days old. I am not writing about the health issues, but about the young lady who still has contact with high school classmates and teachers. She is an amazing nanny and babysitter, providing excellent care for other’s children. She can clean and organize better than anyone I know and is the best baker of banana bread ever!!

I would like to pay tribute to the parents, teachers, classmates, friends, extended family and communities that focus on the individual, not the syndrome. Thinking of Kyle, Jagger and Brandis reminds me, and I hope informs all of you, about the importance of focusing on the individual and the remarkable young people in our world today.

To learn more about services and resources go the Nebraska Department of Education website at:  http://www.education.ne.gov/.  If you would like to contact me, feel free to do so at rachel.wise@nebraska.gov.