Stories of personal suffering should never be ignored and this distressing experience is of no exception. My brother, a person with Down syndrome, once a radiant individual full of life, saw his exuberance dimmed after starting his job at a local cafe specifically made to hire individuals with intellectual and developmental differences. Joan Minnuies, a "retired" employee from this facility, has been described as a source of emotional torment for these individuals, with accusations of persistent bullying, harassment, and verbal abuse in 2019-2020 (with a break for COVID) and ending in 2022 after we found out what was occurring. This has resulted in severe repercussions on my brother's mental health, leading to heightened anxiety, self-injurious behaviors. He has lost his light because of her. Why haven't we come forward sooner you ask? Well, my brother was our first priority. We needed to help him first before we could bring this story to light. Plain and simple. 

Minnuies' intolerable behavior towards vulnerable individuals raises serious concerns about her suitability to sit on the Middletown Board of Education. Those entrusted with such influential positions have the responsibility to advocate for the wellbeing of all students, including those with intellectual and developmental differences. Individuals like Minnuies who display blatant disregard for the feelings and welfare of others, arguably are not fit for these positions. This matter has been brought to all members of the Board of Education with no responses to emails and mailed letters and evidence. The Middletown superintendent responded to an email from myself with “the situation you referenced at the cafe was not school-related, and therefore, I have no firsthand knowledge of the events surrounding your concerns or ability to address them”. If you have a BOE member who is known for bullying, discriminating, and abusing neurodivergent individuals, what makes you think that this does not involve the Middletown BOE and the families it serves? 

First and foremost, I am an advocate for my brother and a protector for him and those like him in this community. I am also a speech language pathologist that aims to create safe spaces for neurodivergent and neurotypical individuals so they can be who they are and feel loved every step of the way. I am disgusted that anyone can be so cruel. I have had people contact me and my family about her behavior when working with her in schools, at other jobs, even her fellow board members. I will not sit quietly while this woman thinks she can get away with something so cowardly. Minnuies has screamed belligerently at my brother and others amongst other atrocities. This is NOT how anyone should be treated. PERIOD. 

Given the aforementioned reasons, we are calling to remove Joan Minnuies from the 2024 ballot for the Middletown Board of Education scheduled this November. This action is not only about restoring justice for my brother or individuals at the cafe but also aimed at protecting potential victims of Minnuies' inappropriate behavior in the future. Help us protect the vulnerable. Help us make the Middletown community safer for everyone. Please sign the petition to support our cause and we thank you for this small form of advocacy for such a forgotten population.