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Reply To: | St. John's University Cerebral Palsy List |
Date: | Mon, 6 Dec 1999 22:38:59 -0500 |
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such a great answer.
-----Original Message-----
From: Deri James [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Monday, December 06, 1999 7:06 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Disabled comics
Linda Wagner <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> Betty,
>
> As an elementary teacher, I can tell you that I think it is
> still very common for parents to say, "Don't stare! Don't ask
> questions! Don't talk to them!" Each year when I begin with a
> new group of students, I walk back and forth at the front of
> the room, introduce myself and give students a chance to ask me
> any questions they want. Everyone looks at my legs as I walk
> but no one asks. Then I say, "I know there is a really
> important question that you all want to ask. It is ok. Ask."
> Then a brave soul slowly raises their hand and asks, "Why do
> you walk funny?" The ice is broken. There is a big sigh of
> relief from the class. From my reaction, they then know it is
> just fine to ask me questions about having cp. In fact, I tell
> them that if they have been taught to "not stare or ask
> questions" that they can forget that approach with just about
> every disabled person. Then I live each day to show them that
> having a disability is not that big of a deal, that I am just a
> person. In the five years I've been teaching, I can already
> see a difference in the way kids relate to me and to other kids
> who are different.
>
> Linda
>
>
When my daughter was 5 years old I heard a little boy ask her:-
"Why does your Dad talk funny?"
to which her reply was:-
"Because he IS funny!!"
--
Deri James
Slam a revolving door today!
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