advokids

Why did I start this blog?

I am a lawyer, an advocate, but most of all I am a parent of a developmentally disabled, learning disabled and medically involved young adult. I vividly remember the day she was born. I saw her being born and saw the doctors take her to be examined before they gave her to me. I noticed the large birthmark and thought “what a shame, a daughter with a birthmark” never once expecting that the birthmark was indicative of further problems that she might face.

First came the seizures, then the glaucoma, then the lack of speech. Lauren was evaluated and found to need services—language, speech and socialization skills. I began to navigate the unknown waters of special education services. It was a strange world, full of unknown acronyms and its own language. Doctors, speech pathologists, special education teachers, education evaluators. I had to learn this new language and how to insure that Lauren received the services she needed.

I was lucky, I had found good advisers and a great school for Lauren. I was able to create a support system. As Lauren grew I realized that many parents of children with disabilities were facing the same issues as I did and that I could provide assistance and support, both individually and professionally. That is when I decided to focus my law practice on assisting others in gaining services whether they be special education services, guardianships, life planning or special needs trusts.

I also decided to try and put information together on the internet and thus Advokidsblog.com was born. I hope you find this site informative and helpful. If there is information that you would like to see here, just contact me by signing the guest book and asking questions.

Saundra M. Gumerove

Why did I start this blog?

I am a lawyer, an advocate, but most of all I am a parent of a developmentally disabled, learning disabled and medically involved young adult. I vividly remember the day she was born. I saw her being born and saw the doctors take her to be examined before they gave her to me. I noticed the large birthmark and thought “what a shame, a daughter with a birthmark” never once expecting that the birthmark was indicative of further problems that she might face.

First came the seizures, then the glaucoma, then the lack of speech. Lauren was evaluated and found to need services—language, speech and socialization skills. I began to navigate the unknown waters of special education services. It was a strange world, full of unknown acronyms and its own language. Doctors, speech pathologists, special education teachers, education evaluators. I had to learn this new language and how to insure that Lauren received the services she needed.

I was lucky, I had found good advisers and a great school for Lauren. I was able to create a support system. As Lauren grew I realized that many parents of children with disabilities were facing the same issues as I did and that I could provide assistance and support, both individually and professionally. That is when I decided to focus my law practice on assisting others in gaining services whether they be special education services, guardianships, life planning or special needs trusts.

I also decided to try and put information together on the internet and thus Advokidsblog.com was born. I hope you find this site informative and helpful. If there is information that you would like to see here, just contact me by signing the guest book and asking questions.

Saundra M. Gumerove