I have forwarded many of Brian’s posts about running for the
Guilford County Board of Education and I have been to many events in his
support, but I have never really written about why I am excited to support his
candidacy. I know what you are thinking, of course you would support him!
After all, he is your husband.
Brian would be the first to tell you that we have the type
of relationship where we freely discuss the pros and cons of what either of us
wants to do and come to a family decision. Brian knew and has known that
if I didn’t think Brian running for the Board of Education was a good idea then
I would not have held back my thoughts or opinions with him and I would have
worked to convince Brian not to run. But that didn’t happen. I agree with
the reasons Brian is running all of his ideas to better our schools and I wanted
to tell you why.
Brian wants to be a voice for the parents. I have been that parent
and the person that has had a passion or concern and been standing on the
sidelines (or at a meeting) and felt my thoughts, feelings and needs were not
being heard. I have been the momma bear that would do anything to protect
and help my child. But I can only yell so loud and go so far if no one is there
to listen, understand and voice my concerns on the other side. I, of
course, have had most of my experiences with my son, who is on the autism
spectrum, but I recognize that all families have their own personal struggles
with issues that their own children have to overcome. I know that my
husband is empathetic to all of these struggles and that he will have the
desire to hear and understand and act upon the needs of those who choose to
bring their struggles to the Board of Education for resolution. Brian is
just that type of person. He is willing to fight for these who need someone
fighting for them.
Brian has a high level compassion for others. Brian put himself
out in the forefront of being an advocate for insurance reform for children
with Autism in North Carolina. What most people don’t understand and
don’t know is that our family already had coverage for our child’s therapies
under our insurance plan when Brian was in the lead in this fight. Brian
is not a “because I am okay, then everything is okay” kind of person. No,
instead of stepping out of the fight when we had coverage, Brian spent countless
hours driving back and forth to Raleigh and speaking to whatever members of the
General Assembly would listen to him. During the fight for coverage,
Brian ruffled the feathers of those who opposed the change or were willing to
accept a less than perfect resolution, but he only did that because he saw the
importance in fighting for a law that would provide every child with the type
of insurance coverage that they deserved. Brian believes the same with
education. Every child, no matter what their background is or what
abilities they have, deserves an exceptional education. Brian will go to bat
for all of our children and fight to make sure they are receiving a quality
education in a safe place.
Brian has integrity and character. I think sometimes these
important qualities get overlooked in this day and age. In this age where
we have all of the horrible name calling and bashing of people, we see negative
headlines or hear negative comments and think “I’m not surprised, that is just
how people are these days”. Why does it have to be that way? When
did we as a society stop caring about upholding good morals and ethical
practices? People like to think that if it doesn’t affect them directly
then it doesn’t really matter, but it does. If we don’t hold the people
we trust to make decisions about or children’s future to a high standard, then
what have we become? After all, how you act when you think no one is looking,
should be how you act when everyone is looking. I have never questioned
my husband’s character or his loyalty to our family, friends, or his
work. I know that you wouldn’t have to question him either.
I just want to sum up by saying again that I am out there
with my husband pushing to get him elected, not just because he is my husband,
but because I think he is the best candidate for the job. I am picking
him because I trust in his ability to make every child’s education be the best
in Guilford County.
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