Raja Marhaba’s journey in special education may be compared to David and Goliath as she fought the second largest school district in the nation to obtain badly needed services and placements for both her sons.
The district took a middle-class mom to 9th Circuit Federal Court in an effort to intimidate and drain all financial resources so that she would give up. Yet, Raja Marhaba, stood tall exhausting all resources available to her and sacrificing her marriage, lifestyle and business in order to provide both her sons the Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE).
This was their right according to the Individual Disability Education Act (IDEA). The district hired high priced attorneys in an effort to prevent her sons from receiving services and proper educational placement. These services played a significant role in aiding both sons to access grade level curriculum and obtain success in the school environment. The book “Unstoppable” will not only tell Raja Marhaba’s story, but be a resource something like a “living document” parents can continuously refer to when advocating for their own special needs children.
Let this book change the conversation with our national broken special education system by empowering parents and giving a voice to the children!
