Tonight at 6 PM, WALB News in Valdosta, Georgia will air our family’s story and introduce Theo’s Law — a proposed statewide requirement to guarantee inclusive and accessible graduation ceremonies for students with disabilities.
Here is the link to tonight’s segment:
As a mother, watching my son Theo — who worked so hard and completed all of his IEP goals — lose his chance to walk at graduation was heartbreaking. This ceremony is a milestone every family looks forward to, and no student with disabilities should ever be denied that moment.
🔎 Clarification from Theo’s Family
I want to gently address one point made in the article so the public fully understands the situation.
The district noted that staffing has changed since 2020 and implied the issue may have occurred under “previous staff.”
However, I personally contacted both the former staff AND the newly appointed staff many times. The new administration was completely aware of Theo’s situation. They had full context, and they had the authority to make things right.
They still said no.
So this was not simply an “old staff mistake.”
This was a system failure, and that is exactly why Theo’s Law is necessary.
When policies are unclear, families are left at the mercy of individual staff members—who can choose to help…or choose not to. And when personnel changes occur, accountability disappears and children fall through the cracks.That is what happened to Theo.
And that is what we are fighting to prevent for every child in Georgia.
ABOUT THEO’S LAW
Theo’s Law would require all Georgia school districts to:
Provide inclusive graduation options for students with disabilities
Offer make-up or alternative ceremonies when health, placement, or disability prevents attendance
Ensure communication protocols so no student is ever overlooked
Treat graduation access as a protected right—not a courtesy
Build accountability so staffing changes can’t erase a student’s milestone
This law costs the state nothing; it simply protects students.
📢 SUPPORT THE MOVEMENT — SIGN THE PETITION
Please help us bring this bill to the Georgia legislature. Your signature shows lawmakers this matters.
Thank you to everyone who has supported our family, who has listened to Theo’s story, and who believes every child deserves dignity, recognition, and their moment on the stage they worked for.
No more deflection. No more dropped balls. No more students falling through the cracks.
This is why we are fighting.
This is why Theo’s Law matters.