I might have a revolutionary idea…. or maybe we just need to remember the Little House on the Prairie one room school house days….. [Tweet “What if #inclusion included teaming up #gifted #students with students who were #challenged? #specialneeds?”] Bethany wasn’t assigned a para at her recent field trip. Devin and Lydia made sure she […]
My Shocking Discovery About Inclusion [Tweet “People talk about #equality and #inclusion but they don’t really #believe it”] I was at another “wonderful” IEP meeting, talking about the realities and possibilities of Bethany’s education. The teachers raved about her contribution in each of their classes and revealed she’s on the honor role again. Then they […]
“It makes me really mad when people don’t treat everyone with respect.” Spencer Manning, 8th grade, advocate, hero, friend 3 For the past 8 years, our family has been uber blessed providing after school and summer care to Spencer and Amy. They have become our Framily. (see post on Friends + Family = Framily) […]
Inclusion is not just the law. It’s an ideology I’m convinced to should spring from respect and be integral in every person’s set of core values. Inclusion should be a core belief in all persons, leading to respecting and including all into our communities, our places of worship, our educational systems and our lives. I […]
Brandon Heath sings a poignant song, Give Me Your Eyes. The chorus is this: Give me your eyes for just one second Give me your eyes so I can see Everything that I keep missing Give me your love for humanity Give me your arms for the broken-hearted Ones that are far beyond my reach. […]
Dazzlers is the dance group Bethany has been privileged to be dancing in for the past seven years. A beautiful picture of inclusion, Dazzlers ends each session with joining hands in a large circle, praying and after the Amen- they spell- D-A-Z-Z-L-E-R-S. We might have missed the chance to be included. I expect inclusion […]
I “pride” (tsk, tsk 😉 ) myself being one of Bethany’s foremost advocates; insisting she can learn, expecting her to achieve, facilitating inclusion, reaching for the stars. The Middle School meltdown opened my eyes! My role is shifting gears! Did you hear the sputter as I went from 2nd gear to 3rd? LOL- I’ve […]
Holding back tears, my heart squeezes as I watch the other girls huddle, whisper, and talk. They play clapping games, giggle, and share secrets. Bethany stands alone in a corner- watching and biting her finger. I sigh. She bites her finger when she’s nervous and overwhelmed; unsure of what to do. It’s not that the girls weren’t friendly to […]