Monica Belvel Wegner

All four of my children have asthma/food allergies, but one, my son, has them so severe that he could die if administration of his epinephrine isn't immediate. Because of his condition, the school district that I am in refused any accomodations. My son missed his entire Kinder year because of the di...strict's refusal. We had no where to turn. The only advocate/s we could find willing to offer some advice were 2 hrs away, so coming to help with and IEP or 504 meeting in person was not in their budget. We were desperate. My daughters that were in school were having dry cereal with water or juice because the district would not accomodate their food allergies/asthma either. My husband started calling around for attorneys that dealt with Special Educational needs. At this point, fate intervened, and we found Monica. Not only did Monica get my daughters the accomodations needed within a 504, she faught like a bulldog for my son for a year to get him all the accomodations needed in an IEP. At the time, there were only 6 IEPs in the country solely for food allergies. Monica continued to fight in tandem with my husband and I for 3 more years, making sure all accomodations were being followed, all discrimination and segregation were stopped immediately, and all bullying was dealt with promptly and justly. During this time, the most valuable tools that Monica gave me were an intense knowledge of the disability laws, ways to assert myself correctly to receive what I ask for from the school district, and methods of dealing with school districts when they refuse to accept the legal documents presented them. She kept me from loosing my cool at IEP/504 meetings, and she was able to turn the tables on the opposition to where they had to give in to our requests. Monica is the quintecential bulldog lawyer that is loyal, honest, hard working, knowledgeable, precise, well spoken, assertive, reasonable, and fair. She has become more than just our lawyer; she is our saving grace. She is a champion for those who cannot advocate for themselves and she is an angel for those who are in need of the care they deserve. She is our hero.