Testimonial of Gabe C.'s Mother
Our son, Gabe C., was entering fourth grade when we finally decide to file for due process. We waited long enough for him to learn basic skills. Gabe is a great child and always received good grades, but we knew they were not representative. Gabe could not read, write or spell [even though he has an average level of intelligence but severe phonological issues]. We were in Charlie’s office the following week, we talked, and he agreed to take our case. We thought we knew everything there was to know about Gabe’s IEPs, until Charlie reviewed our files and asked his own questions.
Charlie not only knew the special education laws, but where our child should be academically. He looked at the goals, knew they were inappropriate and knew the school was not providing any sort of systematic, researched based reading program, as Gabe requires.
Charlie recommended we seek an outside educational evaluation to obtain the reality about where Gabe was academically. Whatever Charlie wanted us to do, we did. Our child was in serious trouble and Charlie provided us with the way out. Charlie knew what needed to be done. Due process was our last resort, and now we were in it to win it. So was Charlie.
Together we sat through three resolution sessions, more than eleven hours, of going nowhere, which is where we had been for years. We provided the district with our independent evaluation of Gabe and still they did not acknowledge our concerns.
The hearing date was set. Charlie crafted an incredible prehearing brief which outlined our case. Our story was simple. Gabe could not read, write or spell. Charlie knew our case inside and out. Whether the witnesses were on our list or from the district, Charlie lead them to testify what we already knew. We could not have been in better company at our four day hearing. Charlie, with Amanda’s endless dedication and support, told our story and made the case. Ten days later, Charlie called to say we won, we won it all. Never again will we sit in an IEP meeting without Charlie Fox.
Charlie came into our lives as a man who knew about special ed law and appropriate education. Charlie studied our case, told us what we needed to do, created a plan, followed the rules, researched other cases, outlined our case from the beginning, lined up witness to testify, focused on the unbiased opinions of professionals, asked the right questions, told Gabe’s story, worked endlessly, closed our case with conviction, won our case, and saved Gabe’s life. We watched it all play out and we are humbled by Charlie Fox. He is a master in his trade, dedicating his life to children who are pushed to the side. Charlie is a gifted, brilliant, talented, dedicated, honest, articulate, passionate, gift from God. Charlie will always be a part of our family. He changed the course of our son’s future and we will forever be grateful.
Charlie, to the world you are one person. To one person, you are the world. Not many can say they have made a real difference in this world. Thank you Charlie, you did it.
