This Seven-Year Old Girl With Down Syndrome Had Her Mask Tied To Her Head At School
Satellite Beach, Florida. As Covid-19 vaccination rates climbed and life-threatening virus cases began to drop this summer, most children returned back to in-person schooling this fall. Many parents anticipated that keeping their children masked would be a tall order.
The Steel family, though, saw the rights of their special needs daughter violated first-hand when she returned home from school after being forcibly masked.
Sofia Steel is a seven-year-old student who attends Ocean Breeze Elementary School in Brevard County, Florida. Sofia also has Downs Syndrome and is nonverbal.
Her father, Jeffrey Steel, described the horror he felt when his little girl arrived home from school with a nylon rope tied around her head.
“Sofia stepped off of the school bus with a mask tied to her face using nylon rope. Due to her conditions, her tongue is enlarged,” Jeffrey said.
GiveSendGo; pictured above is Sofia
“With the mask tied to her face, she was unable to breathe properly and unable to express her distress.”
Sofia’s mother immediately saw the panic on her face and removed the mask. “The mask was totally wet from her saliva,” Jeffrey added.
Under the Florida Parents’ Bill of Rights, Sofia’s health concerns are supposed to be heard and abided by.
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According to Jeffrey, Sofia’s school, “Disregarded her rights and our rights as parents to make appropriate health care decisions for Sofia.” He cites his first priority as making sure that Sofia can breathe and is treated with respect.
Ocean Breeze Elementary School also violated the Brevard County School Board’s Emergency K-12 Face Covering Requirement.
Jeffrey said, “The policy says that face coverings shall not be required for children with IEP or 504 plans documenting medical, physical or psychological contraindications.” Jeffrey and his wife had trusted that the school would follow the policy and work in Sofia’s best interest. After seeing the distress that Sofia endured at the hands of her educators, the Steel family has decided to act.
Jeffrey has created a fundraiser on GiveSendGo, the top Christian crowdfunding site, in order to bring the Brevard County School District to justice.
“We believe that parents like us must stand up for our rights and stand up for our children when those that we have trusted to care for and educate our children overstep and act so cruelly and inhumanely,” Jeffrey wrote on the funding campaign.
So far, the campaign has raised just shy of ninety thousand dollars. The goal is two hundred thousand dollars, which Jeffrey says should cover the legal costs of pursuing the school and local government. Support from the community has been pouring in.
Ryan Trinkler, who donated ten dollars, wrote, “I’m sorry this happened. I hope justice is served.”
Allyson, who omitted her last name and donated thirty-five dollars, wrote, “How can people be so cruel, especially in an elementary school? I hope every person involved with this masking (principal, teachers, IEP, school nurse, bus driver) is arrested and charged with Child Abuse.”
Jeffrey signed off the campaign with a powerful call to action. “October is Downs Syndrome Awareness Month and we humbly ask for your help in supporting our case…,” he said.
“On behalf of Sofia and all special needs children, especially those with Downs Syndrome, we are grateful for your support and prayers.”
More About:Human Interest
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