After years of learning at home, my 10-year-old son, who has Down syndrome, was finally given the chance to go to a regular school. He was happier than I’d seen him in years. But just five days after he started, I got a phone call from the principal that left me shaken.

“I believe you.”

“Then why did it get in my backpack?”

I didn’t have an answer for him.

He rolled over to face the wall. And very quietly, so quietly I almost didn’t hear it, he said, “I’m not allowed to tell about the lady either.”

CHAPTER 3: THE PETITION
“What lady, Milo?”

But he’d pulled the blanket over his head, and no amount of gentle asking would bring him back out.

By Saturday morning, the whole town knew.

Someone posted in the Briar Glen Parents group on Facebook. No names, but it didn’t need names. Thefts at school solved! Turns out it was the new student from the “inclusion” program. Police were called. Not surprised, honestly.

By noon, it had two hundred comments. Some were kind. Most weren’t. This is what happens when you put kids where they don’t belong. My daughter is in that class. Should I be worried? Maybe special programs exist for a reason.