Recent CNN Story features SJC Alumna Melissa Asselin ’11
A recent CNN feature story on indoor air pollution in U.S. schools highlighted the advocacy efforts of SJC Child Study alumna Melissa Asselin ’11 on behalf of her son, Matthew. Truly a remarkable testament to the enduring value of learning basic advocacy skills! See Melissa’s letter below and read the CNN article:
http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/14/health/school-indoor-air-pollution/index.html?iref=storysearch
Hello All,
I wanted to share this information with you in case you were interested in checking this out. As some of you know, my son became very ill toward the end of last semester and had been sick frequently through my time at SJC as well. It was not until this summer when I realized he was not sick at all and did not need any inhalers or medications during the summer months. When he returned to school last fall he got a respiratory infection after being in school for a few days. It was truly like a light bulb went off when we talked to his doctor and realized it could very well be the school building. In order to test that theory, I withdrew my son from school and started to home-school him. This seemed my only option as out of district placement is expensive and there is no other school in our district for his grade level. Since he has been home, he has not been sick one day. He is off of all medications and is thriving.
The reason I continue to take this issue on is that there are other children and staff members sick from being in that building but they feel they have no choice- they need their jobs, and many parents cannot afford to keep a child out of school because they are single parents that work or both parents are working to make ends meet. I have talked to several that have their children on inhalers, steroids, medications, and cycle through this just trying to get through the school year.
I spoke to the administration, local school board, some of you for resources, and anyone that would listen- then CNN called. They were covering this issue from a national perspective and wanted to interview me. While at first hesitant, I agreed as I am hoping this will increase awareness of this issue and children getting sick just going to school.
I want to thank you all for all that you have done to bolster my position in advocacy, education, and involvement. I truly do not know if I would have done this had I not been a student of SJC and you all.
Sincerely,
Melissa Asselin
Class of 2011
Child Study Major
