Stephen Oldford , a parent to a special needs son, is calling for more resources and supports for special needs kids in school (file photo/CHATNEWSToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Parent of student with special needs calling for more support

Nov 6, 2020 | 4:57 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB- For eight-year-old Chance Oldford, it’s playtime, but unlike other kids who are usually at school during the day, he is stuck at home.

“It’s been a rough start for him. I think lack of supports in the school system. He’s been having a lot of behavioral issues at school and is being sent home,” said father Stephen Oldford.

Oldford’s son Chance has cerebral palsy and has difficulty communicating.

” They would call me and say he was kicking, biting, screaming, yelling, not wanting to be in the classroom, and then they would tell me they would try to redirect him,” he said.

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Oldford says at times would receive five to six calls a day from his son’s school asking him to pick him up and he is growing frustrated with the lack of supports and believes students like his son deserve more time at school.

“Yesterday they asked me if my goal was if I wanted him to get a grade 12 diploma, and I said well of course, but the route they are taking with him right now, he is not going to get a Grade 12 diploma,” he said.

Oldford has decided to homeschool his son for the time-being but wants to get his son back in school full-time.

According to Oldford, his son was previously enrolled with the Medicine Hat Catholic Board Of Education and would attend from 8:55 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The shortened schedules coupled with being sent home on a regular basis have not only affected his son’s ability to learn, but his own ability to look for employment.

Oldford is currently on income-assistance.

“Oh if I got a job. I probably wouldn’t have a job very long. I probably would be fired. There’s days when they call me six or seven times a day. Like they called 11:08 a.m. to 11:38 a.m. five times. You know and I called them and I go, is he injured? Is he hurt? Did he break his arm? and she said no, and I said well then he can stay at school like any other child,” Oldford said.

The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education says they cannot comment on child-specific stories.

“The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education relies on collaboration of community partners, support services, school staff and families to ensure a successful learning experience for students,” Hugh Lehr MHCBE Associate Superintendent of Learning Services.

As for the Oldfords, they are continuing to push for more in-school supports for special needs students.