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Sun, 5 Dec 1999 17:20:41 -0500 |
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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
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