Torture, according to the United Nations Convention Against Torture, is...any act by which severe pain or suffering, whether physical or mental, is intentionally inflicted on a person for such purposes as obtaining from him, or a third person, information or a confession, punishing him for an act he or a third person has committed or is suspected of having committed, or intimidating or coercing him or a third person, or for any reason based on discrimination of any kind, when such pain or suffering is inflicted by or at the instigation of or with the consent or acquiescence of a public official or other person acting in an official capacity. It does not include pain or suffering arising only from, inherent in, or incidental to, lawful sanctions.
ABOUT OCLB
Our Children Left Behind [OCLB] was created in Spring, 2003, to serve as an information resource for students, parents, and organizations concerned about Congressional activities reauthorizing the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act [IDEA]. OCLB marked its place in history as the first online parent blog specifically created to address disability issues and how they affect families.
Our Children Left Behind
is operated by Sandy Strassman-Alperstein, Deidre Hammon, Jackie Igafo-Te’o Shari
Krishnan, and Calvin and Tricia Luker, along with self advocates Benji
Alperstein, Daniel Alperstein, Hannah Alperstein, Rachel Alperstein, Brianna Hammon,
Melody Igafo-Te'o, Michael Igafo-Te’o, Sebastian Igafo-Te'o and
Nicholas Krishnan. OCLB’s efforts are also motivated by our desire to honor
the lessons Jessica Baccus taught us. Only these people are authorized to
make statements for or to speak on behalf of Our Children Left Behind. No
other people or organizations are authorized to use the name
Our Children Left Behind
or OCLB.
Home page articles are written by OCLB
team members and reflect
Our Children Left Behind
leadership consensus opinion. Information contained within other OCLB Web
site areas, including
The Grapevine,
Message Board,
News Stories, and
Resources are posted for the use of the
reader and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of
Our Children Left Behind.
Our Children Left Behind
is not responsible for the accuracy of information or opinions stated in
The Grapevine,
Message Board,
News Stories, and
Resources sections of the
Our Children Left Behind
website.
ABOUT OUR SELF ADVOCATES
Brianna runs a Library for people with disabilities and their families and supporters. She also hosts the People First meetings monthly at the complex where her library is located, and is the Treasurer for the group. She collects bears.
Daniel
is excited to be going off to McGill University in Montreal this fall.
Hannah loves singing, dancing, acting, cooking, and fashion
designing.
Melody is a 9th grader who enjoys creating things with her hands. She
loves cats (has 5 of them) and baking. Her goal is to to go culinary arts
school.
Michael is a 10th grader who loves
to draw and create his own characters. He is a big fan of hand-drawn
animation and stop-motion photography. His dream is to work for an animation
studio.
Nicholas finished high school in June of 2010. He has also been a
student with the Berklee College of Music for the past two years and will
continue with his major areas of studies in audio-visual production and
world percussion.
Rachel collects Polly Pockets,
Littlest Pet Shop, and Teeniest Tiniest Babies toys.
Sebastian is a 12th grader who enjoys gaming, running, attending
concerts, and hanging out with his friends. His goal is to become a pediatrician.
The OCLB Team
Sandy Strassman-Alperstein, Deidre Hammon, Jackie Igafo-Te’o Shari Krishnan, and Calvin and Tricia Luker, along with self advocates Benji Alperstein, Daniel Alperstein, Brianna Hammon, Michael Igafo-Te’o, and Nicholas Krishnan
This page last updated on Saturday 12 May 2012