Wonks and politicos weren’t the only attendees at the Jeb Bush education summit in Tallahassee this week. Parents who support educational choice were also there, including John Kurnik of Tampa, Fla., who has a 12-year-old son with autism.
A college professor, Kurnik introduced Florida Senate President Andy Gardiner, and for good reason. Gardiner led the legislative charge last year for creation of Personal Learning Scholarship Accounts, a new ed choice program for students with significant special needs. Kurnik and his wife Mary secured a PLSA for their son, and have become vocal and visible supporters.
We thought Kurnik’s prepared remarks were worth posting in full. They’ve been edited slightly for length and clarity.
Good afternoon! My name is John Kurnik, and I am honored and humbled to be speaking to you today about high-quality education for the children in our state.
First, on behalf of my son John who has autism, my wife and family, the Florida PLSA recipients and the thousands of family members, friends, neighbors, and all those who will be touched in a positive and hope-filled way … thank you … from the bottom of our hearts.
Thank you for knowing that the educational paradigm for special needs education requires early and effective intervention if we are to help these young people maximize their special gifts in a timely manner. And until now, many families including my own, have had to triage psychologist- and physician- recommended therapies and treatments according to those available services and the family budget. Or more times than not, completely go without.
Many thanks for helping these young people and their families with the hope of overcoming hurdles to success, and giving them the possibility of a productive, full, and happy life with the blessing of the PLSA. They will benefit from the PLSA. And when they benefit, all of us – our neighborhoods, our communities and our state – will benefit too.
I congratulate you for recognizing that special needs includes hope for the parents, siblings, friends, and relatives of a special-needs child who needs 24-7 care and attention by a wonder woman or superman parent or caregiver.
Thank you for trusting us as those caregivers for our special kids to make the best decisions possible on their behalf as good stewards of these funds which allow great things to happen. Believe that the vast majority of us play by the rules, and we agonize over the best use of this precious gift.
We all know this is an imperfect and vulnerable world. Good and not-so-good things will always happen in all of our lives and most of us can be our own best advocates in these circumstances. However, in this world of special abilities and lack of direct advocacy on their behalf, there is a desperate need to encourage and build up these special children.
My belief and experience is to give parents the freedom and opportunity to do the next “right thing” when it comes to providing the educational and life-changing opportunities for their special-abilities children. I AM CONFIDENT the vast majority of our special-needs parents REALLY KNOW BEST what is most enriching for the future potential of their children. Let’s not limit the possibilities for growth in these children by conforming to an ineffective model of learning.
I know that the end result of our efforts will far outweigh the skepticism of a few that are garnering opposition to, and supporting a negative opinion for, programs like the PLSA.
In closing, I would like to share some words of wisdom from the sons of Rob Gorski of Ohio. Rob is a father of three sons with autism and is uniquely qualified to speak on behalf of his children. Remember, these words represent just some of the thoughts of the children whose lives we are working to make the most of. Rob wrote a series of 10 interpretations and sayings from his boys. Here are three that spoke to me:
- “I’m not stupid, I’m actually very smart. I just don’t learn the way you want me to. Please learn about autism so you know how to help me better understand what you are trying to teach.”
- ”I’m sorry I have fits but I am not a spoiled brat. I’m just so much younger on the inside than I am on the outside.”
- “I wish my mommy and daddy knew how much I love them. I really have a hard time with emotions and I don’t always like to be hugged (touched). But I love them more than anything in the world, even more than my Legos.”
So who are we really doing the next right thing for? The young people I’ve had the privilege of meeting over the years are honest and frank, hopeful and trusting. They have a sense of humor and a belief deep down inside that WE are doing the next right thing for them.
