Success Story: Building Inclusive Community

"We arrived from Iran – my husband, our autistic son, and my elderly mother. Each had specific needs: therapeutic support, accessibility, and cultural community.

The first year overwhelmed us. MDPH paperwork seemed endless. School inclusion meetings frustrated. My mother felt isolated. We almost gave up.

Then we found our lifelines: an Iranian family with a disabled daughter who guided us through MDPH; a school AVS (assistant) who became our son's champion; a multicultural senior center where my mother thrived.

Key lessons learned: 1. Special needs require extra patience with bureaucracy 2. Community connections are vital 3. Advocate persistently but politely 4. Document everything 5. Celebrate small victories

Five years later: our son attends mainstream school with support, speaks three languages, and has friends. My mother leads Persian cooking classes at the senior center. We created an support group for immigrant families with disabled children.

France's systems aren't perfect, but they're comprehensive. With persistence and community, everyone can find their place." - Maryam, Strasbourg