To All Those Parents (and Teachers) with "Special Needs" Children: The Michigan Christmas Miracle

Mark McWilliams speaks at the State Capital--Lansing

Amid all the turmoil of the election, the hoopla of the holidays, and the angst directed at government...a miracle occurred in the state of Michigan. One legislative act that few outside its boundaries may know. It is my intention to spread the word far and wide--thousands of children will be saved from the “archaic and barbaric practices” that are sometimes used to control students with behavioral issues or special needs." 

The hero of our story, who has worked tirelessly for years on this legislation, is my lifelong friend Mark McWilliams. Mark's son, Bob, summed it up best in this Facebook post just before the holidays: "...My dad worked all year to push a package of bills through the Michigan legislature that will protect students with special needs throughout the state. For the many thousands of kids in Michigan with autism, attention disorders, behavior disorders, and so on--these bills are a big deal, and they're a big step in the right direction. This is news to feel good about amidst all the madness."

What is the "madness?" The Detroit News explains: "Michigan legislators on Wednesday gave final approval to plans designed to end the use of “seclusion and restraint” in K-12 schools.....The nine-bill seclusion and restraint package, a top priority for Lt. Gov Brian Calley, seeks to end what he has called 'archaic and barbaric practices' that are sometimes used to control students with behavioral issues or special needs.The bipartisan proposal would require the Michigan Department of Education to develop a statewide school policy prohibiting the use of seclusion and restraint except in emergencies....while discouraging actions that could worsen behavioral issues in students, such as locking them up or tying them down.'What this does is it sets some minimum standards with respect to the sorts of things that would be illegal in a household, illegal in a prison, or illegal in a hospital that would (now) be illegal in a school,' Calley told reporters last week."

Mark McWilliams and the Michigan Miracle for Special Needs Kids

Bob McWilliams is right--this is a big deal! His father Mark worked with his advocacy team against all odds to get the Governor of Michigan to sign this bill before the Christmas break. Things looked bleak. Everyone wanted to go home--shopping to do, trees to decorate, parties to attend; yet with the help of the Lt. Gov. Calley, whose own child is 'Special Needs', the system pushed and pushed. And by the 'system' I am referring to the broad shoulders and articulate voice of Mark McWilliams. And at the last minute, the bill was signed...to even Mark's surprise. Amazing how government can work when it personally matters. 

However, Mark has no dog in this fight. His own children are brilliant and gifted. But he and his wife Kathy live by a different code: one that reads--there but for fortune. And for that reason Mark, a lawyer by trade, has spent his working life in advocacy for those less fortunate who need to be treated with dignity. The wins are far between--but this is one for the ages. So this is a story filed under these words:

Staying the course regardless of the personal cost.


If Mark were sitting next to me as I write this he would tell me that he is a small part of the legislative victory. I'm not buying that and neither should you.. He would also ask me to do all I can to spread the word to other organizations and other state governments to follow the Michigan Miracle. So please share this with parents, principals, school board members, government officials and alike.May the word be spread far and wide: a child was protected in Michigan this year...

My heroes: Mark and Kathy McWilliams