09/04/2026
ADVOCATING FOR ELIZABETH — AND ASKING FOR A LITTLE HELP 💜♿️
Most of you who know Elizabeth know that she has never allowed a wheelchair, a diagnosis, or a challenge to define what she is capable of. And those who know me know that when it comes to this child, I will advocate for her until I have nothing left to give.
Unfortunately, we have reached a point in Elizabeth’s educational journey where advocacy at the kitchen table and in school meetings is no longer enough.
After considerable thought, research, evaluations, meetings, and attempts to work through the process, I have made the decision to retain an attorney experienced in IDEA and special education law to protect Elizabeth’s educational rights and make sure her needs are being properly recognized and addressed.
Elizabeth underwent an Independent Educational Evaluation that documented significant areas of need, including weaknesses in math problem solving, written expression, oral language, attention and executive functioning, along with recommendations for specific educational supports. She is also a full-time wheelchair user with significant physical and medical needs.
Yet we continue to find ourselves fighting over whether this child is entitled to the protections and individualized educational support I believe she needs to access her education appropriately.
I never wanted this to become a legal battle. I wanted to sit at a table with the people responsible for educating Elizabeth, look at the evidence, and develop a plan that allows her to succeed.
But there comes a point when a parent or guardian has to decide whether to accept what is being offered or stand up and say, “This is my child, and I will not stop fighting for what she needs.”
We have reached that point.
Hiring an experienced special-education attorney is expensive, and I am Elizabeth’s grandmother, legal guardian, caregiver and her biggest advocate. I am therefore humbling myself and asking our friends, family and community for help with the legal expenses associated with protecting Elizabeth’s educational rights.
If you are able to contribute, even a small amount helps. If you cannot contribute financially, sharing Elizabeth’s story is just as meaningful. You never know who may see it, who may have resources that can help, or what other family may realize they aren’t alone in fighting for their child.
Any funds raised will be used toward attorney fees and expenses related to advocating for Elizabeth’s educational rights.
This isn’t about attacking a teacher or an individual. Elizabeth has had teachers who have loved her, encouraged her and celebrated her accomplishments.
This is about a system and making sure that system follows the law and gives a child with disabilities the opportunity to receive the education she is entitled to.
Elizabeth has spent nine years showing the world what she CAN do.
Now it is my job to make sure the adults responsible for her education don’t allow what she can do to overshadow the areas where she genuinely needs help.
We are not asking for special treatment.
We are asking for appropriate treatment, equal access, and the protections the law provides to children with disabilities.
And I will continue fighting for Elizabeth for as long as it takes. 💜♿️
Please share
I am not using GoFundMe because of their extraordinary fees, but you can help via Venmo ,Cash , app or Apple Pay or Zelle
Venmo -carrino
Cash App
$ Krystinacarrino
I also have Zelle but it’s attached to my personal phone . if that’s how you can help us I’ll be more than happy to send it to you in a DM.
You can also send a check directly to the bank
Queensboro national Bank and Trust
4021 Furys Fery Road
Martinez, GA. 30907
Made out to
Elizabeth Anne Marie Stamatakis
Special Needs Trust Fund.
They will put it in the account.
In had to take $5000 out of her trust fund to fund a lawyer to fight for her IDEA rights as a disabled child with three qualifiers that alone makes me so sick, that’s in trust for when I’m
Gone…..
