Why didn’t I think of that?

Did you enjoy every day of your elementary school years?

Were there days you just didn’t want to go?

Do you have children that don’t like their school?

Well, don’t look now, but here’s an out

Rebecca Maykish is 17 and dreads school so much that she stopped going regularly.

In fourth grade.

Those days off have come at a price to her school district and the Palmerton taxpayers who support it. Since 2004, the Palmerton Area School Board has authorized payments of more than $45,000 to help Rebecca make up for her missed school days. Rebecca’s mother, Barbara, has used the money for at-home tutoring and education software purchases. She has also spent it on modeling classes for Rebecca, subscriptions to teen magazines, and travel to New York and Toronto with a summer camp.

All of the expenses were approved by the district.

Ahh yes, the Americans with Disabilities Act. Yet another entitlement program that began with wonderful intentions, but is rampant with abuse.

I spent a number of years working with ADA clients, assessing their needs and helping them through the processes to get into programs and receive their freebies (though that was not a word I was allowed to use then) so that the federal government could “meet their transportation needs” according to ADA standards. In fact, I believe I can personally credit the ADA program with helping become the Libertarian minded asshole I currently am.

One of the last clients I dealt with had it in his mind that his disability (rheumatoid arthritis) had earned him a jump in status: From free cabulance rides to free new car.

And not just any new car, but a Ford Taurus SEL with the new at the time adjustable foot pedals (and power windows, locks, mirrors  and seats, leather of course, and A/C), all on the tax payers dime. He fought and fought and appealed and whined to everyone under from sea to shining sea.

He never got it while i was there, but it has been eight plus years and who knows by now.
Link found @ Some Poor Schmuck