Comments

• Military Spouse

  Oct 7, 2010 1:42 PM

  I agree every child deserves a Free and Appropriate Public Education. However, if you have a child with a learning disability such as Dyslexia, these children are not getting the services to enable them to read and write. These children have to be taught using specific programs administered by qualified teachers who specialize in learning disorders. 1 in 5 children have a learning disability an the community awareness is 0. We had to send our son to private boarding that specializes with Dyslexia and other learning disabilites. There are 140 boys from 23 different countries who are lucky enough to attend this school. The school where we live were reducing our sons choices in life by not providing him with the ability to read and write. And because were are stationed at this location on military i contacted the base and informed them, but nobody cares that we have to refinance our home in order for us to send our son to school, so he can have the same opportunities as a child without a disability.

  
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• INFANTRYACS91

  Oct 10, 2010 1:52 AM

  LTG Freakley - Excellent observations, remarks, sir. A PhD over at the Huffington Post, a moderator, is on your wave length, Dr Steven Brant; he is currently discussing how to apply DesignThinking to enhancing our national educational dialogue among all the stake holders.

  Hello Military Spouse: You sound very savvy about the EFMP services available to you but I will suggest these anyway: There is: http://www.militaryhomefront.dod.mil and then link to Special Needs/EFMP Home for lots of online help and information and referrals. Also, you may have this document memorized, but I will suggest anyway: AR 608-75, The Army EFMP Program. From your message, it seems you are OCONUS; if you are, consider reviewing the AR again, and especially check out 32 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) Part 80, and DODI 1342.12, for special instructions for OCONUS families, that could be helpful to you in your situation. Also, within the AR, paragraphs 1-15, 1-16, and 1-18 may be of assistance.

  If you are not OCONUS, I have different suggestions for you, as other fans of LTG Freakley here on his blog may have. I am glad you have spoken up here on LTG Freakley's blog because there is a whole wide Army world of folks who care - and I imagine these same subject matter experts will be weighing in soon with better suggestions than mine.

  Good evening and take care.

  
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• INFANTRYACS91

  Oct 10, 2010 2:07 AM

  Forgot to add, Dr Brant publicized a non profit website where parents, teachers, and communities can easily unite to provide the classroom resources our children need but the teachers do not have available.

  It is called Classroom Wish and is located at http://ClassWish.org. For instance, I've never been to Kentucky, but the website lets you look up your state to see which teachers, at which schools, in which communities, need supplies, etc. There were quite a few listed for Kentucky, and perhaps in the Fort Knox area.

  Best wishes.

  
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  • Military Spouse

    Oct 10, 2010 9:56 PM

    Thanks for your comments. However, we live in Upstate NY. I have contacted tghe Commanders Hotline, EFMP, The School Liaisons Office, organisations outside the base, Attorneys, all the military organisations, Senators, Congressmen, The Secretary of the Army and nobody wants to help and i get pushed along. I even wrote to the American Civil Libertys Union, OCR. It seems that we live in the dead zone and nobody wants to come to north country to assist. I think next step is going to go to the press, because this local school is getting away graduating students when they can not read and write. People tell me this is my calling, so i guess i have to make communities aware of these types of learning disabilities.

    
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• INFANTRYACS91

  Oct 11, 2010 1:28 AM

  Well, it's beyond both of our bedtimes so I will check in tomorrow, MilitarySpouse. Maybe someone on the East Coast will jump in before we chat again. FYI, I am an SME on Social Security Disability Benefiits and SSI for EFMP's. If you are over income and resources, there is a way you can still qualify for Medi-caid for your child. I know that is not what you are looking for tonight, but as an aside, I can help you in that area. I'll be back in a minute - I want to get the name of that organization that is dedicated to helping Millitary EFMP Families, in case you haven't tried that yet.

  
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• INFANTRYACS91

  Oct 11, 2010 1:48 AM

  Hello MilitarySpouse: Have you tried to call Special Training of Military Families (STOMP) at 253-565-2266? Ask for the Director - Ms Heather Hebdon, if she is in. If she is not in, try to get the info you need from someone else there at the HQ in Tacoma, WA, because if they refer you out to the field - you will be talking to an EFMP Mom who is very dedicated and enthusiastic, but not as well trained of course, as an employee at HQ.

  Their website is: http://www.stompproject.org. They are the only National Parent Training and Information Center for EFMP Military Families, providing support and advice to Military Parents without regard to the type of medical condition their chilld/children has/have. As you know, some families have more than one EFMP. Also, they are federally funded.

  They offered me a job one time, and I took that as a big compliment. They are very strong advocates for EFMP's and parents. But call - go to the website for sure, but call Heather.

  Good night now. I hope you are able to access the info you need in the next couple of days.

  
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• Military Spouse

  Oct 11, 2010 8:10 PM

  I have been advocating for our son since he was diagnosed with Dyslexia in 2001. Since being stationed in Upstate NY in 2004, our son has regressed and it has been a constant battle with the school district. My last email from EFMP stated she did not know where to send because i have exhausted everything. I have contacted stomp they were not very helpfull, people do not realise that Upstate Ny lack resources for children with learning disabiities. If your child is not Autistic or severly mentally handicapped, then you fall into the grey area that nobody knows about or wants to address. 1 in 5 chilldren has a learning disability, this is substantial yet nobody wants to do anything about it. I contacted Tricare Echo for some assistance, my claim was denied because Dylslexia even though it is a Neurological Brain Disorder, they say it is educational not medical. I gave them the medical diagnosis report from St John's University Speech and language center and NYU Child Study center. Both Professors. Our son is now attending the Gow School at a cost $51,000. a year, we received financial aid, but we had to come up with the rest, he is in 11th grade. If i left in Beaver River Central School District, he would not be able to get into college, NYU evaluated him this year and he had regressed from last year, the school sits around and does nothing. Our son told us he failed nearly every maths test he took in 10th grade, but the school teacher gave him extra points, it seems there is no justice. Our son was on the acheivement role during 10th grade, and he can not read or write properly. apparently, they only look to see if the child understands the subject and not whether they can read or write about it. Somebody has to be accountable

  
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• INFANTRYACS91

  Oct 11, 2010 9:37 PM

  Hi MilitarySpouse: I think I saw where you blogged on LD.org too. Your son needs answers/solutions now - not five years from now when it will be too late for the intervention. I forgot that today was a holiday - tomorrow an expert will wade in, no doubt.

  
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• TRADOCFan

  Oct 13, 2010 4:02 AM

  Hello LTG Freakley. I enjoy your comments and posts.

  I do not know how to get word to the USAREC, 6th Brigade, Fresno Battalion, Fresno Company and Fresno Company FRG, but on the Fresno FRG Facebook Page where the CO LTC Richard Rivera is prominently listed, there is a post that is up entitled "Fresno FRG - Food for Thought?" It goes on, "The VFW Ignores Its Members to Suck Up to Anti-Military Washington Incumbents".

  I am concerned about this post because on the Fresno BN's CO's former Facebook Page, LTC Richard Rivera listed Mr. Glen Beck as an individual he strongly admires, which is certainly his opinion and his right.

  And we know that now retired General McChrystal certainly understood that his orders came down the chain of command from the civilians, including our Honorable SECDEF Robert Gates, and the POTUS, the Commander in Chief.

  LTG Freakley, sir, would you consider reviewing if it is fitting for USAREC, 6th Brigade, Fresno Battalion and Fresno Company FRG, which depends upon, to some extent, funding from U.S. taxpayers to defray their operating costs, to give the perception that they are encouraging partisan political opinions on their Facebook Page?

  Thank you. sir.

  
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• TRADOCFan

  Oct 14, 2010 5:37 PM

  Dear LTG Freakley: Wow! Congratulations, sir, on the award and honor to be bestowed upon you tomorrow as the 2010 Policy Leader of the Year by the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE). And, the first active duty Military Officer to receive this award too! I have never had the opportunity to see and hear you speak in person so I hope this ceremony will be filmed.

  Will you keep us up to date on your efforts on this subject that is so important to all of us? I am glad you don't mind hearing once in awhile from any of us who love the Army too.

  Here is a more pedestrian observation - General Freakley - I have noted frequently that when USAAC/USAREC Officers, Civilians and other Leaders are briefing, many times they are holding a coffee cup or a bottle of water in front of them. Our body language exhibits far more information about how we feel than it is possible to articulate verbally. All of the physical gestures we make are subconsciously interpreted by others. Most people are oblivious to their own body language, but with a little practice, we can train ourselves to change.

  There are "25 Acts of Body Language to Avoid", listed on the Internet, including on http://english-coffee.com. I respectfully wish you to have a very successful acceptance speech yourself.

  1. Holding Objects in Front of Your Body - A coffee cup, notebook, hand bag, water bottle, etc. Holding objects in front of your body indicates shyness and resistance, such that you're hiding behind the objects in an effort to separate yourself from others. Instead of carrying objects in front of you, carry them at your side whenever possible.

  Number 5 on the list, I think I am guilty of this one unknowingly. Narrowing the Eyes. "Some people make the mistake of narrowing their eyes during a conversation as a reflex of thinking. Don't send people the wrong message....don't narrow your eyes - people might wrongly think you don't like them or their ideas".

  Have a safe trip, LTG Freakley, and enjoy this very special award and commendation on behalf of your hard work for future soldiers and our own dear Army soldiers, families and children.

  
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• TRADOCFan

  Oct 18, 2010 12:53 AM

  Dear LTG Freakley: I tried to follow your acceptance speech at the National State Boards of Education in Salt Lake City, on Friday, October 15th, but I have to sign up for Twitter. I am sure it was a great affair - it is such an extraordinary honor that absolutely does not come along everyday - again, you are our first Military Officer ever bestowed this gtreat honor. Congratulations again.

  And look at MG Donald Campbell at USAREC! The pictures over on USAREC's Facebook page, for the USAREC Unit Awards Recognition Ceremony on Saturday - I respectfully state he looked just marvelous and so dynamic. It was such a happy occasion. MG Campbell must already know that the Miami Battalion, which won a prize, to me has one awesome Soldier and Family Assistance Program Manager working there, DA Civilian Ms. Sharon Moore. She has 16 prior years active duty working for USAREC - she is just a natural for her job - and so good natured, cheerful, big hearted, hard working and very intelligent.

  Back to MG Campbell - he reminds me of another dynamic General you may know, LTG Freakley. His name is BG Jack Weinstein, Deputy Chief of Strategic Plans and Programs, HQ USAF, Pentagon, Washington, D.C. Since I have never worked back east or in D.C. and have not met too many Generals, I assume you may all know each other, but I am not sure.

  I mention BG Weinstein to you, because after two of my Army Posts were BRAC'd, I hopped around to stay alive and I ended up in a nice position over at AF where BG Weinstein was the CO. I had never seen him before and this was shortly after the Change of Command so we were told we had to report to the Base Theatre to meet him and listen to his remarks. It seemed like it was going to be another ho hum administrative shuffle on down to the Theatre, but when I got to the Theatre, My Word, what a fantastic welcome! There was totally awesome music being pumped out - loud and frenetic and really exciting. I was thinking, My Word, is this how all AF Change of Commands are? If so, they ought to have these more often!

  Next, COL (at the time) Weinstein was introduced, and again, My Word, it seemed like a rock star burst upon the scene! He did not make use of the stage at all - he got right down there on the main floor with us, and then was tallking all the while he worked his way up and down the aisles. I know that takes a certain talent, certainly one I do not possess, but I have to say, MG Campbell, also looked great at his latest Recognition Ceremony from the pictures. When you work for USAREC and are thousands of miles away from HQ, you miss that kind of exciting action that comes along with being stationed at HQ.

  One more thing tonight about BG Weinstein, he announced while I worked for him, that he was inviting author Mr. Dave Pelzer, a former Airman, who had written the book, "A Child Called "It": One Child's Courage to Survive", to speak at the Base. His talk was not mandated - attendance was voluntary. I knew about Mr. Pelzer and his book, so I went. But I had not read his book. Wow! During the introduction of Mr Pelzer, we were informed that Mr Pelzer had allegedly survived severe child abuse at the hands of his Mother, by first being isolated, then tormented, finally nearly killed by starvation, poisoning and one dramatic stabbing. What we learned from his story, is that one of the greatest obstacles to healing for males is admitting that they have been victims, especially if the perpetrator is a woman.

  After the introduction, I can hardly remember what Mr Pelzer said in his remarks because I was still in awe that he had overcome the obstacle above, and succeeded in life and was standing there before us as a successful author and public speaker.

  Mr Pelzer is a living testament of resilience, and if he has never visited USAREC before, they may enjoy meeting up with him. I know I did, and I never forgot that meeting. He went on to write four more books, "The Lost Boy: A Foster Child's Search", "A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness", "The Privilege of Youth: A Teenager's Story", and "Help Yourself". I thank BG Weinstein to myself to this day for that opportunity to listen and to meet Mr Pelzer.

  This blogging is new to me and it is a boon to individuals and employees, millitary and DA civilians, whose dispositions are slanted more toward Elizabeth Barrett Browning or Robert Browning, in our mind's eye anyway.

  Best regards again, LTG Freakley.

  
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