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Rob SchaffnerI live in Colorado Springs, Colorado with my two birds Verna and Barb. I have my own house. I used to live with mom and dad, but not anymore. I am 34 years old, I’m a big guy and do things myself. I go to Challenger Middle School and Rampart High School and graduate 1992. I played drums, cymbals, and cowbell in the Rampart band. Rampart band go to Disney World 1991. Hot there. Had good time. At Rampart track meet, no stopping, go fast, got “R” on my jacket. In school, I learned about planet Earth, marketing (sell candy, popcorn), and keyboarding. I work at Albertsons for 15 years. I was hard worker. I like slot machines in Cripple Creek. I like play football, baseball, basketball, soccer, and go bowling. I like play video games. I love to go on trips. I like cool places, Indiana for family, Cancun – warm there, drive golf carts, love see fish and water, walk on beach, sun come up. Look for a new house, and new job – Hollywood Video, or check new places. I do a good job I am a good friend and like to help out. I excited have good time with people, play baseball, go bowling, and ride tandem bike with dad. New friends, ideas, working on a team make me happy. Beth Schaffner- Rob's MotherI am currently the Director of Special Projects at PEAK Parent Center, Colorado's federally-designated Parent Training and Information Center, where I have worked in a variety of capacities over the past 20 years.
After a fairly typical childhood and school experiences, I began my career as a special education teacher in the mid-1970's. I worked in the same school district in Colorado Springs as a special educator - in the early years as a teacher of small groups of children in a self-contained classroom and later as a district-wide consultant and "inclusion facilitator" supporting the participation of children with disabilities in general education classrooms.
In 1982, a charming, precocious 9-year-old boy came along - it was Rob! - and after meeting him, my husband and I quickly decided he should become a member of our family. Rob changed our lives and has taught us everything we ever needed to know about what is really important in life. He brought great joy to our family. It was a pivotal point for my family and for me professionally as well.
Prior to Rob's arrival, I saw myself as a good, caring special educator and I worked hard to make a difference for my students. I saw myself as the expert and expected cooperation from the parents so I could do my special things to help their children. However, the experience of becoming Rob's mother really opened my eyes! I learned first hand the critical role of parents as collaborators and decision-makers and as the first experts on their children. I now know that parents are the "vision-keepers" for their children because they are with and committed to their children over the span of their lives. Educators come in and out of their lives. Educators and professionals must, absolutely must rely on, respect, learn from, and support the families to dream big for their children and help the students become empowered to dream big. Professionals and the services their agencies provide are supplements to support the realization of those dreams - the students and families must remain "in the drivers seat."
Today, Rob lives in his own home but my husband and I continue to provide a "safety net" for Rob, but work hard to assure that the net does not confine him and keep him from reaching out,trying new things, making new connections independently from us. We want to be facilitators for Rob and assure that he remains healthy and safe and happy but we do not want to smoother or limit him.
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