Thank you for taking the time to mind my business, Merritt. I am sorry to say that I had no idea I was the “hot” topic of carpool until some UP moms came up to me and told me about your blog. They were embarassed for you taking a cheap shot about this issue. Perhaps if you would have just picked up the telephone or sent an e-mail, we could have had a discussion like adults. But because you decided to notify the general public, I feel I should also inform them of my side of the story.

I have a 10 year old son with autism who has a full time aide at UP Elementary. We are working with the school to teach him independence. I parked in that spot last week so I could safely put him in the crosswalk and make contact with the aide. There is an aide standing outside the portable watching him cross the street and to make sure he comes to his room. Crossing the street on his own is a big deal for him. At the end of the school day, he is not released with the class, but brought to my car by the aide.