Would you want this???

[Sharon Kay]

Normally I try to stay out of politics...but this can impact homeschooling families greatly...AND...any other parent...I thought you might want to read this article by Homeschool Legal Defense Association:

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200907210.asp

I ask you to read it...thank you.

[lauren grier]

I only skimmed.. because it seems a tad biased and I don't have time to read the actual bill atm ;)
but I just wanted to say.. that there's nothing wrong with home health stuff- if you've ever been on state medical (I was when I was pregnant/ce was a noob) that is already part of the program.. but you can refuse it. It IS a great program and helpful to a LOT of people.. Nothing is ever forced on you, and no one can make you raise your kids a certain way. ever. That's a lil crazy. I mean geez.. your pediatrician has prolly offered parenting advice at one point or another (as well as any other person in your life) it is no different. Home visitation programs are a godsend to a lot of low income people, who can't get to a dr's office, or need help with whatever.. nursing lets say.. and can't get to a lactation counselor.

[AnnieBananie]

Wow, well, I'm all for the government butting out of the citizen's lives, but it's very hard for those who aren't savvy to the whole thing to get any fact or truth out of articles like that one... so biased and, moreover, very emotionally-charged. "Don't get emotional for Uncle Sam... he certainly doesn't get emotional for you.", my grandpa says.

[Sharon Kay]

I'm not looking at the health care stand...I really don't know anything about that (and yes everyone should have health care!)...it's the RIGHT to invade your home that has me bothered...and infringement on homeschooling...that is what is the HSLDA's stand if I have been reading their articles correctly....there have been a lot of news about people barging into homeschooler's homes and trying to decide what is best for the children in regards to their schooling...sometimes following State laws and sometimes NOT...hoping that the parent is not knowledgeable of the laws.

...we just had soooooooo many issues with public school that I pulled them out...for one it was ruining my child's health...my son had threats on him daily and the school refused to deal with it...and we had an IEP that the school wrote out but their teachers refused to follow it.

There has been talk about the UN Treaty that the USA has been talking about adopting and what that treaty can mean to homeschoolers...and what it has done in other countries about taking away rights of the parents who choose to homeschool their children.

http://www.hslda.org/docs/news/200906161.asp

I just know that homeschooling is RIGHT for MY children...I just don't want anyone taking that right away from me.

Healthcare is another subject...and I have friends without it and wish they could have it... but hoping our government really finds what is best...and offers alternatives to people! ....but my personal fear in this article is how it could affect homeschooling...I think it should be a parent's choice.

FYI for those that don't know...this fall will only be my 10th grader's 3rd year of homeschooling and my 8th grader's 2nd year...their grades are better, I think their curriculum is challenging, and the doctors say that their health is better, and they are happier children again once the "threats" of the bullies have been removed...and the stress of what they were going through was removed.

[lauren grier]

no one can barge into your home.. and I repeat, no one can control how you raise your own kids. it's propaganda like this that get people all up in a tizzy without really having the facts. It's fine to be against the proposal.. but, even if the US adopted this sort of health care system.. we still have rights. Your private property can not be intruded upon without your permission- save like.. you know, you're breaking the law or your house is burning down. A home health worker can't just waltz up into your residency.

[stayawake]

I really encourage you to ask questions of Canadians who DO enjoy universal health care.
We have community health nurses here, and after birth you can choose to have them visit your home (there is NO pressure for this) and they come several times, if you want them to to support breast feeding, or your choice of feeding, to answer questions, to give support, lend an ear. With my first child the nurse came four times, for about an hour each time. She helped me figure out breast feeding, and when it wasn't working, gave me abreast pump! (it was one of the samples that companies had given her to show patients, she didn't have to give them to me...) I can't tell you how helpful that was for me to have her! Second child, the universal health care paid for my MIDWIFE (who I was allowed to choose myself, from several different midwife groups in my city) who had hour long appointments with me, sometimes coming to my home, and who came to my house every day after birth. Some of my friends - especially my homeschooling friends!- have had their babies in their homes. Their choice, government funded.
We have something called "early years centers" where there are great huge rooms full of toys and activities and fun programs all over the city, and in EVERY community and neighbourhood in Ontario. They have playgroups running all day, and free seminars on infant nutrition, breast feeding clinics, well baby check up clinics, parenting support groups, infant hearing, etc. etc. and living in an area where we are close to very very low income housing I see how these centers greatly benefit ME and my neighbors who are often very young moms with no support and little positive role models. I have never ever been 'told how to raise my child' from any of the wonderful caring supportive professionals who work at these places. My daughter LOVES the playgroup leader for the center I attend and there have been so many days I needed the encouragement of a friend. Many of my homeschool moms use these centers with their children and are NOT told 'what to do' or how to raise their child.

What this article describes sounds like many of the wonderful benefits I enjoy here in Canada. Please feel free to ask more questions. :)

[Sharon Kay]

I really encourage you to ask questions of Canadians who DO enjoy universal health care. Snip<...

Wow this is the FIRST post I have ever read from a Canadian that actually praises their health care! That sounds absolutely amazing!

I'm curious...do you know if there is any provisions for "Aspergers Syndrome" to be covered by insurance for treatment, diagnosis, therapy, and community support (i.e. after high school as an adult)??

Really my initial post wasn't about the health care...but the homeschooling. I actually expected our school district to give me a lot of trouble when I pulled my son out to homeschool him...but didn't. He does go to school once a week for speech and autism...his high school teacher actually is trained in autism...the first time EVER he has gotten support for his disability!...it took until he got in 9th grade!

I'm debating on asking the school if he can take one or two electives at the high school ... but am afraid that they will then want to have say in his regular curriculum...trying to figure out how to go about asking them but still making sure. HSLDA didn't have a problem with him taking a speech class for his IEP...but had told me if he enrolled in a single class that they would drop me and wouldn't represent me because the school would then have say in my homeschooling. bummer I was hoping they could supplement what I can't give him here...auto repair (um not qualified/trained to take my car apart) ... or CAD (Computer Aided Drafting...programs can run $3,000 and up plus you need a really powerful computer)...

[dabittymama]

I'm curious...do you know if there is any provisions for "Aspergers Syndrome" to be covered by insurance for treatment, diagnosis, therapy, and community support (i.e. after high school as an adult)??)...

Well I don't know about Canada but my little brother is autistc/aspergers (they can't every really decide) he is 20 now and can continue with support from his school district until 25. He take some college courses at a local University with a paid parapro to help him with the social aspects that he stuggles with. He also takes some "skills classes" to help prepare him to eventully get a job. My knowledge is very little compared to my stepmom.

[lauren grier]

sharon I worked with special needs kids before I had ce and will just say there are a TON of programs out there that he could get assistance from. Like Joslyn above me said, most programs will support him till he's 25 (or 21 in some cases).

[stayawake]

Sharon, I think I wrote my earlier post in reaction to all my amercian friends who are freaking out right now about this bill, and even though I just don't understand why they WOULDN'T want universal health care, I really should be more sensitive to your fears. I realize that changing the way America does health care could be pretty scary... just as I would be TERRIFIED if Canada was to move to a privatized system. I just wanted you to know, from the perspective of someone who loves the health care up here, that I don't see anything scary about what is being proposed... and when I read about people who can 'come into your home' I remember the positive experiences I've had with similar programs.

As for aspergers, I don't have any first-hand knowledge. I know we have extensive early intervention programs but I don't know about post-secondary! I really hope you and the school and everyone is able to work out a solution that will benefit your children. I wish school boards WERE able to be more flexible and offer children part-time programs in school and part time at home. That would be idea in sooo many ways! We have some 'alternative' schools up here, where children can come for a small portion of the day instead of a whole day, and have more one-on-one learning. Usually for children with disabilities, or kids who have had big problems in their regular school. Also, for highschool we have two 'special' highschools that have regular students in them, but also have specialized programs. One is for students who may not go onto post-secondary but they might and offers a range of apprentice programs and different ways of learning (on the job, wilderness education, flexible classroom) but they have regular classes too. The other is very geared towards youth who for whatever reason benefit more from practical training and have full commercial kitchen chef training, auto mechanic training, a wide range of trades represented.

I know here, it isn't so hard to homeschool in some school district's but other districts make it harder. If you pull your child out, the superintendent visits the home to make sure the parent has a teaching plan and realizes what is necessary and offers access to standardized tests when they occur. Most of my homeschooling friends find that the superintendent tells them to keep doing what they are doing, because they are more organized and have a better idea of what and how to teach their children than most teachers do. :) I'm sure that's not the case for everyone though.

[ColleenSwerb]

As far as health care goes, during the election there were a lot of candians on here (and I believe some people from Europe and such spoke up too) talking about universal health care and why the love it. I mean, Bree was in the hospital for like 3 weeks recently and doesn't have to pay a dime. Can you IMAGINE the cost of that here in the states?

As far as schooling, I don't have much to add since I'm practically just a kid myself, lol. But I do think that La has a good point. And there are also a lot of technical school options out there that might be possible for your son. And as an engineer, the CAD programs don't need a super computer to run. I used to run several CAD and finite element analysis programs on my old lappy several years ago in college. They are expensive, yes. But I think you said your boys enjoying gaming and that is more taxing on a computer than a CAD program. Just a thought.

[newfiemountiewife]

I am always amazed at all of the people on the boards who say we are the "first" Canadians who praise their health care. I agree with Lindy on every single point. Even in Nowhereville, Newfoundland where I live, there are only 3000 people, and we have a fully funded place to take our kids for programs every day. They have toys, indoor play things, crafts, wonderfully talented people who work there.

I don't have time to read all of the article as I'm on my way out the door, but I just wanted to say that. I have never heard a Canadian complain about much, there are small things here and there, but nothing's perfect. If we moved to a privatized system, I would panic all right, because even though my DH has a great job, we'd never be able to afford it. And I never want to have to choose between groceries, or a doctor visit, and I've "met" lots of people on my playgroup boards who have had to do just that.