The state of education in Nevada is frightening. I am horrified that some of our legislators have been trying to cancel, phase out or defund the Opportunity Scholarship, a lifesaving, life-changing scholarship that allowed my disabled child to receive a personalized education. It’s been my experience, especially during the pandemic, that children with special needs not only need, but deserve, additional support.

My son was diagnosed with three diseases. One of them is Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, which was caused due to pain in his rotator cuff. Because of this, he lost the mobility in his right hand, which is his dominant hand. Now, he is learning to write and function with his left hand. He has also been diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, so he limps, and it is difficult for him to walk long distances. In his current private school, he receives extra help getting from class to class. Because his class sizes are smaller, he also receives extra attention from his teachers. This was not the case in his previous school, and we all suffered.

The other kids in his class at his current school, some who also have special needs, understand him and are his best friends. Do you think he would receive this much care and attention in a traditional public school with thousands of children? Do you think other children and teachers who don’t understand kids with special needs would be so caring? I saw a news report recently about a mom who was trying to raise awareness about engaging with students with special needs after her autistic son was harassed over not wearing a mask in school due to sensory issues. Stories like these break my heart because I know what the parents are going through.

Having the Opportunity Scholarship is so important because there are a lot of families in Nevada that have kids who are suffering in their schools like mine were. Financially, we were also struggling, and the Opportunity Scholarship eased the burden of putting two kids through private school.

My biggest fear is that my son, who is responding so well to his teachers and receives love and care from them, will have to go back to a school that is ill-equipped to meet his needs if the scholarship is canceled. He will struggle because he cannot walk long distances. He will struggle because he will be bullied. He will struggle because he will be a small blip in a large school. We will be absolutely devastated if this scholarship goes away.

As parents, we only want what is best for our children. My choice in schools may be different from yours, but know that we all want the same thing: To see our children succeed. 

Idubel Aguirre is a proud mother of two, originally from El Salvador, and has been living in Las Vegas since 2000.