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Couple honored for their courage
By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer TAMPA -- Keith and Nikole Whitehead spent the better part of a decade seeking improved education for a son who has Down's syndrome. Nearly $1-million in legal fees later, the improvements came, but for the betterment of children other than their son Andrew, now 14. The Whiteheads received a small consolation Wednesday when Hillsborough commissioners presented them the county's Moral Courage Award, the board's highest honor. The award recognizes citizens who stand up to government for the betterment of the community. "Thanks for hanging in there," Hillsborough commission chairwoman Pat Frank told them during a presentation at County Center. Keith Whitehead expressed his gratitude for the recognition, but suggested it was a little bittersweet. "Obviously I'm very honored to have this award bestowed on us," he said. "At the same time, I have mixed emotions. The fact that this award exists gives you mixed emotions." Andrew had just entered kindergarten at Mintz Elementary School when his parents learned that he wasn't getting the individualized attention they had expected and is required by federal law. They had been told Andrew would receive one-on-one speech therapy. Instead, he was enrolled in group therapy. A federal jury awarded the Whiteheads $600,000 in April 1998, while finding that the district had not intentionally discriminated against their son. But a judge later reduced the amount. The Whiteheads and the school district agreed to settle the case two years ago for an undisclosed amount that was less than $600,000. The district also agreed to create an educational program to guide teachers and parents of exceptional students. "I could have easily paid for individualized speech therapy for Andrew and his entire class (for the nearly $1-million spent in attorney's fees)," Keith Whitehead said. "But that's not the point.
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