HARFORD COUNTY, Md. — A school bus attendant who helped a special-needs student by coordinating efforts to get her a new prosthetic leg is being honored by her school district, The Baltimore Sun reports.
Debbie Brown noticed that Sylva Green, a 17-year-old student on her bus last year, was suffering from pain and walking problems due to a prosthetic leg that kept falling off, according to the newspaper. Brown asked Danielle Lister, the transportation supervisor for Harford County Public Schools, to reach out to Shriners Hospitals for Children about getting a new prosthetic for Green, and Lister agreed.
Green received a new, free prosthetic leg with a Hello Kitty theme that she picked out from the specialized children's hospital, according to The Baltimore Sun. With the new prosthetic, she is able to walk more easily, and has been able to take part in activities that she would not have been able to before, such as dancing and touring a college campus. Green told the newspaper that the bus attendant made her feel hopeful and “like you can trust people.”
Brown is being honored with a Recognition of Excellence award by the school district, according to The Baltimore Sun. Lister told the newspaper she was impressed by Brown’s efforts and described her as “an incredibly compassionate person.”
To read the full story, go here.
School bus aide helps special-needs student get new prosthetic leg
Debbie Brown of Maryland noticed a student in pain and having problems walking due to a prosthetic leg that kept falling off, and she helped coordinate getting her a new prosthetic free of charge.
More Special Needs Transportation
The Lived-Experience Gap in Mobility Tech: An Expert Take on Safe Student Transportation
A product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user drops in to The Route to share practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →What Transportation Gets Wrong About Wheelchair Securement (And How to Fix It)
Brianna Pauwee, product application specialist at AMF Bruns of America and a wheelchair user shares practical securement and training insights, plus why she launched the “Beyond Mobility” podcast. The Route is sponsored by IC Bus.
Read More →
Keeping Up With Special-Needs Training & Standards: What Districts Need To Know in 2026
As the number of students with disabilities and IEPs rises nationwide, transportation teams face growing pressure to stay compliant, confident, and trained. Explore what’s evolving and how to stay on top of it all.
Read More →
How Supplemental Transportation Helps Close Driver Gaps
Ongoing driver shortages nationwide are forcing tough transportation decisions. See how districts are using supplemental transportation to maintain coverage for high-needs students.
Read More →
Announcing 2026 Special-Needs Driver of the Year Nominations
Honoring the exemplary accomplishments of school bus drivers transporting students with disabilities, AMF Bruns of America’s ninth annual National Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year Award series is open for nominations!
Read More →
Special-Needs Transportation Shifts in 2026: More Riders, More Tech, New Pressures [Survey Report]
What’s changing in special-needs transportation? Operators report a rising need, easing driver shortages, growing tech adoption, and emerging challenges. Details here! Survey sponsor: AMF Bruns of America.
Read More →
New Jersey Legislature Approves Special Education Transportation Task Force
The state moves to review special education transportation policies following safety concerns raised by families and advocates.
Read More →3 New Ways Fleet Software Pays: ROI opportunities for modern fleet managers
Keeping buses safe, reliable, and on schedule requires more than manual processes. This eBook explores how modern fleet software supports school transportation teams with automated maintenance scheduling, smarter video safety tools, and integrated data systems. Discover practical ways fleets are reducing breakdowns, improving safety, and saving valuable staff time.
Read More →
Why Student Privacy Matters in Special-Needs School Transportation
Learn more about what federal law really allows when sharing special-needs information with bus drivers and aides while protecting student privacy.
Read More →
AMF Bruns Celebrates 2025 Special-Needs School Bus Driver of the Year
Julio Ospina, a SPED driver and safety trainer at Wylie ISD in Texas, was named the national winner in AMF's annual driver award series.
Read More →
