After all the emails, phone calls, and advocating, we showed up.
We walked into parent orientation with our heads held high.
Kay deserved to see her new school. She deserved to meet her teacher. She deserved the same opportunity to walk into kindergarten feeling prepared and comfortable, just like every other child.
When we walked into the school for parent orientation, the principal was standing near the entrance greeting families as they arrived.
I walked up with Kay and asked, “This is Kay, so she can stay now, right?”
She smiled and said, “Absolutely.”
So we walked in.
And my sweet girl got to have the experience she should have had all along.
She got to explore her new school. She got to meet her teacher. She got to meet some of her classmates. She got to start building familiarity with a place that will soon become such a big part of her life.
And you know what?
She had fun.
The nurse was there and was absolutely wonderful. She welcomed us, helped us feel comfortable, and made it clear that she wants Kay to have the best experience possible. That first interaction meant so much.
This entire experience reminded me why advocacy matters.
Sometimes inclusion is not automatic. Sometimes you have to ask questions. Sometimes you have to push for your child when things do not feel right. Sometimes you have to be the person willing to say, “Wait, why is my child being left out?”
Kay is not defined by her diagnoses. She is a funny, determined, loving little girl who is excited to start kindergarten.
She belongs there.
And this week, she got to take her first step into that new chapter.
One step closer to kindergarten. One step closer to new friends, new experiences, and a school community that we hope will continue learning how to include every child who walks through those doors.