May 11th, 2018
This month one of DRM’s attorneys, Leslie Margolis, was invited to attend the high school graduation of a young man, Nick, who she provided legal advice and assistance from the time he entered middle school. Nick’s mother wrote to Leslie: “Nick and I would like to invite you to his graduation in June…We would like to thank you for all you did for him. We could have not done it without you.”
Leslie helped Nick, with autism, and his mother advocate for him to be in a general education program on a diploma track. In middle school, Nick had written a letter asking to be back in general education; he played football in the community, ate lunch with the school football players every day, participated actively in a Boy Scout troop, and really wanted to be with his nondisabled peers. Leslie advised Nick’s parents and represented him through his transition into high school until a couple of years ago when he was participating actively on the yearbook committee, doing well academically, and truly a member of his high school community.
Leslie, has been making a difference in the lives of hundreds of families by advocating for the rights of students with disabilities at DRM for over 30 years.
As Mother’s Day approaches I want to remind DRM’s past and current staff, board of directors and all our of other many wonderful supporters, over the past 40 years, how Disability Rights Maryland has touched the lives of so many parents of children with disabilities by helping them advocate for their children to participate fully in their communities over the past 40 years.
Helping a parent help their child is an invaluable and wonderful gift!
THANK YOU!
With gratitude,
Robin C. Murphy
Executive Director, Disability Rights Maryland
