The Class of 2007

I wrote in an earlier post that Brandon, although a senior this year, was not going to be joining his class for graduation ceremonies. Brandon has severe mental retardation-he functions at a 3 year old level for many things. Although he is considered a senior this year, he will remain at the school through his 21st birthday as he transitions into a special needs working environment. Due to Brandon's oftentimes negative behaviors we all(parents, teachers, school staff) agreed that it was best to keep him out of the ceremony feeling it wouldn't mean anything to him anyway.

Our hearts were warmed a couple of weeks ago when we were told that several seniors wanted to take Brandon out in a limo to one of his favorite places-Pizza Hut-for the lunch buffet. It will be 12 seniors plus Brandon and his teacher. The seniors worked it out, getting permission from the school, letting cafeteria staff know, ect. That big event will be happening this week.

Yesterday, a senior from Brandon's class stopped by to drop off a one-page letter written to Shannon and I. It reads as follows:
Dear Shannon and Christine,
On behalf of the senior class of 2007 we would ask of you to reconsider letting Brandon walk with the class at graduation. Brandon is a very important part of our class. Everyone enjoys his presence and we know when he starts making noise that that means he is happy. We do not believe that he will disrupt the ceremonies. We are proud to have Brandon in our class and would thoroughly enjoy his presence at our graduation ceremony on May 25th. We kindly ask that you please reconsider.
The letter was then signed by the entire senior class at his school. I know it warmed our hearts a ton and so we will add one more, very important, thing to our schedule this week...our son's, and his dear friends', graduation ceremony.

Thank you to the class of 2007. You guys are really something!