[guide.chat] Re: on Educational Issues
- From: "David L. Bailey" <baileydavidl62@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: <guide.chat@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Thu, 30 Jun 2011 16:28:18 -0400
I was born with sight and enjoyed classes very much. However, I remember
the cruelty exhibited toward many of the kids around me with challenges,
whether physical or mental. I never participated in this as my older sister
was challenged her entire life. She was 20 years older than I. She was
born with Osteogenesis imperfecta (brittle bones) mum and da were told she
would not live past the age of 20. However, she lived until Nov 2003 almost
reaching 61 years of age. She was always an inspiration to me. She was
always happy and loved life despite enduring much pain. She was also
largely my Christian mentor. My other sister was in charge of her business
affairs. She asked me to eulogize my sister, this was difficult because of
the loss but it was my sister's wish. Also, I knew my sister was in Glory
with strong good legs praising the Good Master and thus we didn't have a
funeral we had a life celebration. Then I started teaching in seventh grade
mathematics in 2003. I had received my bachelors in computer science and
mathematics and spent 16 years on the road as a contract computer
programmer. I wanted to come off the road to see my daughter grow up. I
always took the kids with challenges into my regular class when asked. Over
four years before going blind I had about 25 kids with challenges, mostly
mental one blind and a couple with hearing impairments. All but one passed
with A's and B's and he just would not try. His challenges were by far not
the most profound just bad attitude. I would opt in favor of mainstreaming
all but those with severe retardation. After graduation, most will have to
live in a mainstream world. The first year one of my special needs students
was a non-English speaking student and she had the highest average in the
math class, still couldn't speak English but she could sure do some
pre-algebra. I miss both careers since becoming blind. However, I am able
to work three days a week teaching other blind how to use computers without
sight. Therefore both careers were God's way of preparing me for my current
job. My answer would be mainstream education with pullouts for Braille or
sign language or whatever the special need is will better prepare students
for life in the world around them.
In His Love and Service,
David L. Bailey
baileydavidl62@xxxxxxxxx
-----Original Message-----
From: guide.chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:guide.chat-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of M BOWKER
Sent: Thursday, June 23, 2011 10:53 AM
To: Guide Chat
Subject: [guide.chat] In Reply To: [guide.chat] Scared of going blind later
on in life
Hi Carol,
I know just what you mean. I had more or less the same. I was always put at
the back of the class where I couldn't see the board, couldn't hear mush. In
those days if you were not grammar school material they gave up on you and
put you at the back of class and treat you as though you didn't exist. What
made it worst for me was that I was born with a full cleft palate and
couldn't talk properly till I was 15 years old. So thrown on the scrap heap.
But with all you lovely girls I'm making up for it now. Hehehehheehe.
love Malcolm. xxxxxxx
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