Tales Of An Educated Debutante
on life, loss and the joy that rules the day.
The future is far away and scary, but today is lovely.
Adrian H. Wood, PhD
I Had To Find Out My Son Was Being Abused From Facebook
Saturday, February 16, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
I Had To Find Out My Son Was Being Abused From Facebook My Name Is Kasey Murphy and I am from Berkeley County, West Virginia. My son Owen is seven years old. When he was 8 months old, he was diagnosed with Mitochondrial Disease and last summer, diagnosed with autism. As a parent you always hope for a healthy child, but like many parents, I have been blessed with a very special child who has special needs. All parents celebrate milestones and for me, it was when Owen’s doctors t ..
Read moreBerkeley Medical Center Statement
Friday, February 15, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
This morning, I received a call from the Head of Human Resources at Berkeley Medical Center (https://www.facebook.com/Berkeley-Medical-Center-128306324033787/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARDGTb48EL-XcN_eogE_-EbrUP8dwCxsFdBG0kAv6FGyvyULtMgqhnEp9Ddf1NOVbokrCHhWUJ7tiKJJ&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARArdpaGcpXTSqZNIuDqSyVabw_BSvhF-remmj8Xt072g5_qC2bycJaJQiPbO_UKZJzuoTEq_C03Xz0H8lhXvOo84PsOAkriboql9bdI1J3bH01A0TyJdPyZEW5GhBfdgTIYEED9ms1rM5XNDv6HHqbVAZohK6J-jUMuw05411SWkEdcomsfP4HB2Pp6jwhT ..
Read moreDear West Virginia State Superintendent,
Thursday, February 14, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
I know you have heard about Berkeley Heights Elementary, but I have talked to the mamas. On October 4th, Amber Pack, placed a recording device in her special need’s child’s hair and sent her to school. That night, she heard, “I ought to backhand you right in the teeth,” Ms. Yurish scream at her child. On October 5th, Amber’s husband contacted police who met with the principal of Berkeley Heights Elementary in Martinsburg, West Virginia. By October 11th, Principal Amber ..
Read moreTimeline of Evil
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
Timeline of Evil at Berkeley Heights Elementary Martinsburg, West Virginia October 4: A child’s mother put a hidden recorder in her hair when her non-verbal daughter began acting not like herself. Recording shared three teachers torturing children with special needs- teachers Christina Lester, June Yurish, and Kristin Douty. I listened to the recording provided by Owen’s mother. Miss Lester comments: Owen, are you gonna jerk off in the chair? Adriana, gonna vomit on m ..
Read moreA Letter to the West Virginia Department of Education
Wednesday, February 13, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
My name is Owen. I am 7 years old and a first grader at Berkeley Heights Elementary School in Martinsburg, West Virginia. Well, I was, but now I’m at a new school. I was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease as a baby and I also have non-verbal autism. I’ve been in the same classroom with kids with like me for two years. I had three teachers: Christina Lester, June Yurish and Kristin Douty. My mom liked that they were always hugging and loving on me. It was a big fa ..
Read moreWhen a School Fails Children with Special Needs
Tuesday, February 12, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
Martinsburg, West Virginia is home to Berkeley Heights Elementary School. It serves nearly 800 children (predominantly white) in pre-K through third grade, as well as a classroom for special needs children. Before I go on, can I tell you about the fear that plagues us? Us, the families who belong to those children who landed not so perfectly on this earth. Our kids can’t tell us what’s wrong or tattle when danger lurks and that truth is a mountain that I never stop climbing ..
Read moreWhat Parents Don’t Say at IEP Meetings
Tuesday, January 08, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
1. I just want ________ to be the very best version of him/herself. 2. I want you to tell me where the best place is for ______. 3. If money were no object, what would a school day look like for ______? 4. I really just want _______ to have friends, real friends. 5. I want ______ to be happy. 6. I want ______ to know kindness. 7. I don’t know what’s best for ______, either. 8. I sit in this room and I feel so sad to see those words describe my amazing ______. 9. Tell me, ..
Read moreThis is my space
Monday, January 07, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
My very own. When we bought our house, the owner used this outbuilding (the original kitchen) as an office. Our children were not quite one, two and four years old when we moved and so, it became a catchall. Filled with toys and strollers, a stray easel, an old doll carriage, too big plastic tinker toys, a hodgepodge of yard tools. Today was used for painting: a swing, a bench, a table and some chairs. Tonight, I slipped outside and looked at my newly hung lights. I’ve alway ..
Read moreDear Teachers
Monday, January 07, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
It’s Judgement Day. I don’t know how in the devil that applies to y’all, but it’s ominous and important sounding. Yep, the longest vacation on the planet has ended. I haven’t made lunches, haven’t had my coffee, forgot how annoying alarms sound. I know, I am a huge pain in the a double s, but I’ll tell you something. I see you. I acknowledge your hard work. I love you. I do, honest to goodness love you because you wrangle twenty or so cretins and manage to shove knowledg ..
Read moreNot Perfect, But Perfect In Imperfection
Sunday, January 06, 2019 Adrian H. Wood Comments (0)
I sit, this morning, in a noisy port. The chill of the morning is unfamiliar after days of warm sun. My family, at least most of them, are asleep. In one hour, we are to have eaten and be off the ship. I never was one for promptness. After four days of nothingness, I am content. No checking email and even bigger for me, no writing. I promised. Promised them, though not aloud, that I would ride the seas in the moments they occurred. And, I did. From my middle son, I ..
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