Shaker Heights Family Meets with Senators for Advocacy Work

The Shaker Heights Schools are proud to teach students using the International Baccalaureate curriculum, which emphasizes creative problem-solving, hands-on projects, inquiry-based learning and community service. The Sulzer family put this into action during their recent trip to Washington, DC to advocate against Medicaid cuts.

Livie Sulzer, a rising third-grader at Mercer Elementary School, and her parents, James and Lindsay, met with several senators and their staffers to share how Medicaid cuts would affect their lives, including the loss of important healthcare services for Livie. The Sulzer family visited Washington, DC as part of the Little Lobbyists group, which advocates for children with complex medical needs.

During meetings with senators and staffers representing the offices of Sen. Jon Husted and Sen. Bernie Moreno of Ohio, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, and Sen. John Kennedy of Louisiana, the Little Lobbyists explained the challenges facing their families. Click here to read an article in The New York Times on the Little Lobbyists and their recent visit to Washington, DC.

Lindsay Sulzer says that with reduced Medicaid funding from the federal government, states may need to choose what services they cut back on. Some services are required, and others are optional, including home-based and community-based services. She says Livie and her family rely on home-based services including nurses and nursing assistants.

At Mercer, Livie receives occupational and speech therapy, adapted physical education, and support from a paraprofessional throughout the school day. The Sulzer family loves the Shaker Heights Schools, and Lindsay notes the importance of Livie participating in general education classes.

“Livie is very social and loves being with the other kids. Other moms tell me that their kids are excited when Livie is in their class, and the kids ask me for play dates with her. There are benefits all around for Livie and the other kids,” Lindsay Sulzer says. “The staff enjoy being around Livie, and she has the most amazing relationship with her paraprofessional.”

Lindsay and James Sulzer have two other children in the District: Noah, a rising sixth-grader at Shaker Heights Middle School, and Reed, a rising first-grader at Mercer.

Read more about Livie in a blog post from Little Lobbyists.