My 5-year-old son, Aidan, began kindergarten earlier this month. Our family was excited about this giant step and prepared to take on the challenges associated with starting at a new grade. Our family prepared to face a new set of challenges because Aidan has CHARGE Syndrome. What we weren’t prepared for was Aidan’s rejection from the school’s aftercare program.

Aidan faces insurmountable challenges in his daily life. He struggles to clearly see and hear. He has to wear a diaper for now, and his walking is delayed. We believe our son is being denied access to the after school program that is available to every kindergartener at his school because he is disabled. Aidan was in preschool at this public school for the past two years. He is in class with many of these students and it doesn’t seem fair he is being excluded.

Our family works hard to maintain balance between working full-time and finding after school care of our son. We would do anything to make his life easier, and are disheartened to see the public school district reject our son.

Please sign this petition allow Aidan into the Kanawha County Schools Community Education Program. The school system is doing the wrong thing in refusing to help a family and their disabled child.