I was mainstreamed after Kindegarten, and I don't regret it one bit. I
participated in plenty of afterschool activities, I wrote for out Literary
Magazine, I was involved with our Weekend of Caring, I was in the Student
Action Movement, etc, etc. I was out of resource room by the time I was in
Junior High, but I still had an IEP so my teacchers worked with me if I
needed a little extra something.

I'm glad I wasn't grouped in with other disabled students as a kid, it
helped me realize I can do a lot of things that other "regular" kids can
do... I did other stuff as a disabled individual, eventhough I was
mainstreamed I played wheelchair basketball, I participated in the New York
State Games for the Physically Challenged, I went to the Easter Seals
summer camp...

For some of us CPers there's a balance, and you need to know how to
maintain one...

my 2 cents,
Joanne

----------
> From: Cindy C Curtis <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Subject: Re: SPED Thread
> Date: Tuesday, June 13, 2000 5:11 PM
>
> I was very fortunate, when I began 8th grade I had the opportunity to go
> to both and SP ED school and a regular school.  I'm firmly against full
> inclusion.  Some of the more severally disabled (ie autistic, mentally
> retarded, etc.) could never make it.  Plus the teachers aren't educated
> concerning those disabilities.  If a kid with CP goes to a regular school
> do you think he/she would be able to participate in the extra ciricular
> activiities?  No!  Some of them don't even get out of that darn resource
> room because they're too disabled and the "regular" teachers haven't been
> educating on how to work with them!
>
> When I was in school I want a cheerleader, I was the Student Body
> President, I was on the yearbook staff, and I was on the newspaper staff.
>  This was at the SP ED school.  Do you think disabled kids will get those
> same opportunities at a regular school?  It would be easy to paint a
> beautiful picture, as they often do, but the sad reality of it is they
> wouldn't.
>
> I believe that kids with disabilities and without need to socialize
> together.  There must be other ways of doing that.
>
> There, I've said my peace.
>
> Cindy
>