Camilla

Camila just finished kindergarten in her local school district when she became ill with encephalitis. Encephalitis is a rare brain inflammation caused by a virus. It can be caused by many types of germs including common childhood illnesses. In Camila’s case, it resulted in traumatic brain injury. Once the underlying illness was cured, Camila and her mother went to stay at a treatment center specializing in children’s brain injuries.

Eventually, her mother saw that Camila was recovering more rapidly than the other children. So she moved Camila to a more appropriate program to foster her rehabilitation. Since this new program was close to their home, they moved back home. Her mother let the school district know that Camila would also be returning to school.

Unfortunately, Camila’s education suffered as she experienced frequent seizures that kept her home and, consequently, out of the classroom. Feeling helpless over Camila’s condition and fearful that Camila would have to be moved back to a residential program away from her family in order to make progress, her mother contacted Student Advocacy. An Educational Advocate, Sara Carr intervened to make sure Camila received the services she needed at school.

As the result of Ms. Carr’s advocacy, Camila now has occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy and special education supports provided right in her local school. Camila has made tremendous improvements. With the new accommodations, her mother can take her to school later in the morning, avoiding the time of day that Camila is most prone to seizures. Now, her mother cannot remember the last time Camila missed school. Physically and socially she has surpassed all expectations. Although she still struggles academically, with the appropriate supports she is acquiring effective learning strategies. Her one-on-one aide teaches her to cope with frustration allowing her to refocus more quickly on the work at hand. Furthermore, her teachers say Camila always has a friend at her side when she struggles with the books she is so eager to read.