Neil, Payne, Kaitlin and I all had the opportunity to give public comment for House Bill 149 on Tuesday. Representative Conrad let us know about the public comment opportunity, so we set off to Raleigh to share our support for the bill during the House Committee on Education K-12 Meeting. Although the bill was introduced because I contacted Representative Conrad’s Office, shared the struggles Payne had been through due schools to misunderstanding dyslexia and she introduced the bill because she decided to take action, the bill isn’t for Payne. The bill won’t even help Payne as he gets ready to graduate from high school this June but what it will do is help the dyslexic students that follow him. Representative Conrad was introducing him to members of the house committee and others in the committee meeting as the “inspiration” for the bill, which I think made him proud and it was amazing to see the beautiful smile on his face.
I tried to spread the word about the chance for public comment. I shared the opportunity with as many people and parent organizations that I could think of to give parents the opportunity to share with the House Committee on Education that dyslexia is an issue that needs attention in our state and some parents showed up. They showed up with their children which made all the work of trying to find a legislator who would listen and do something for our dyslexic children worth it. The children stood by their parents as their parents spoke during the public comment time and I was a little overwhelmed because there’s a chance that some these children might not have to endure what Payne did simply because he was born dyslexic and dyslexia is misunderstood in schools. We’re on our way, HB 149 passed unanimously through the education committee and then later in the day it passed unanimously in the House. So, on to the Senate it goes. I don’t know if it will make it all the way to Governor Cooper’s desk, but we have our fingers crossed for the children who were in the education committee meeting and all those students who currently sit frustrated and languishing at their desks at school due to the misunderstanding of dyslexia.
I tried to spread the word about the chance for public comment. I shared the opportunity with as many people and parent organizations that I could think of to give parents the opportunity to share with the House Committee on Education that dyslexia is an issue that needs attention in our state and some parents showed up. They showed up with their children which made all the work of trying to find a legislator who would listen and do something for our dyslexic children worth it. The children stood by their parents as their parents spoke during the public comment time and I was a little overwhelmed because there’s a chance that some these children might not have to endure what Payne did simply because he was born dyslexic and dyslexia is misunderstood in schools. We’re on our way, HB 149 passed unanimously through the education committee and then later in the day it passed unanimously in the House. So, on to the Senate it goes. I don’t know if it will make it all the way to Governor Cooper’s desk, but we have our fingers crossed for the children who were in the education committee meeting and all those students who currently sit frustrated and languishing at their desks at school due to the misunderstanding of dyslexia.
My family had never given public comment during a legislative committee meeting so the experience was new to all of us. I asked my Son Payne- 18 and Daughter Kaitlin- 16 a few questions about their experiences.
What did you think about going to Raleigh to support House Bill 149, screening for dyslexia and dyscalculia?
Payne: Cool. I assume this is how all bills and stuff are done.
Kaitlin: It was cool to be able to be there and be part of the bill passing.
Were you nervous to speak during the public comment opportunity?
Payne: Yes! Obviously, because I had to read a speech that I had already written, in front of the education committee.
Kaitlin: I was, even though I didn’t get to speak because there wasn't enough time.
What did you think when the chair gave us 1 minute to speak instead of the 2 minutes we thought we were going to have?
Payne: Um, crap! And when they combined all four of us, that wasn’t cool! I felt bad because your speeches were good, but I’m glad that I got to read mine. I felt it was important for them to hear it from my point of view since the bill is for dyslexic and dyscalculic students like me and Kaitlin.
Kaitlin: It was annoying and at one point when Payne was speaking and the clerk kept telling Dad that Payne needed to hurry up, I rolled my eyes because I think it’s pointless to only give us one minute because you can’t say much in the time of one minute, but the clerk was just doing his job.
Now that you’ve had the opportunity to watch the legislature run a committee meeting, what are your thoughts on how the committee process worked?
Payne: It was short.
Kaitlin: It’s interesting and different since everyone had to agree.
As a young advocate, do you the share things you’ve done with your friends, like, the meetings with legislators, awareness rallies, writing letters to senators, going to proclamation ceremonies, etc.? If so, what do they say about it?
Payne: A few. My close friends think it’s cool.
Kaitlin: I share some of it, if I know how to explain it. Some of them say it’s cool and are interested that I’ve done it.
Do you think it’s important for kids or young adults to get involved in issues that involve them?
Payne: Yes! Very important for everyone to know what’s going on.
Kaitlin: Yes, I do because if it affects them, they should be happy to advocate and be part of it.
House Bill 149 passed out of the education committee, was passed by the house and was sent to the senate. How did that make you feel?
Payne: Good. I was nervous for a minute, but glad how it turned out.
Kaitlin: It makes me happy because hopefully, kids will get a better education and teachers will know how to give them the correct help they need.
Thanks Payne and Kaitlin!