I did not believe the video with Jason was a positive
example of social integration of a student with ELN (exceptional learning
needs). My first thought is that, it is not the schools or society’s job to integrate
in that manor; I feel a ELN student
would benefit more from socializing with other ELN students with in that type of situation and that being a
student assistant is not integrating it is isolating. I am still very new to this field but thought
that an IEP or something would have been in place if the student was capable of
playing basketball, it would have
already been known… prior to his senior year, last game. My knowledge is limited, but I am assuming
like other disabled students they tend to be obsessive, so I think Jason would
be at practices, scrimmages, etc. If
the ELN student has the ability to play a team sport with non-disabled students
then he/she should be on the team, if not there are numerous other options; Special
Olympics, adaptive sports, deaflympics and community based teams for ELN students. I feel that social integration and
acceptances starts with the student having a strong self-confidence, awareness,
and support system. The disabled
students are different, but different is not bad. How can we expect disabled students to be
self-confident if they do not accept their limitations? This weekend in the news there was a 5k
run/walk for disabled veterans; one of the gentlemen in a wheel chair stated
that being with other disabled veterans made him feel more connected. Wouldn’t it only make sense to build
confidence, self-awareness and acceptance in the individual first; society is
cruel disabled or not.
There is a lot to your blog and I am not sure you grasp the impact Jason had on an entire school not just the basketball team. Jason's 20 point performance was a once in a life time happening. He accepted his limitations and devoted his time to being the team manager. The coach allowed him the opportunity to actually play in a game as a reward for his time and commitment to the team. What you didn't see was that the other team and coaching staff had to have agreed ahead of time to allow Jason that opportunity. I've been a part of situations like that. Jason may very well play on a special needs team too. That is very common in high school athletics. I have been a part of programs where the managers have exceptional learning needs but want to be a part of the high school program with their classmates and for socialization reasons. That is where many lifelong friendships and memories take place. Jason impacted the entire school body. He wasn't just the hero for a moment either. His hard work, dedication to the team and school, and desire to be a part of a "team" despite having limitations was very humbling for everyone. I cry every time I watch that video. It is so moving and motivating. You commented too that social integration and acceptance starts with the student having a strong self-confidence, awareness, and support system. Jason has that and more!Being a part of the high school basketball team was Jason's what made him connected and provided him with an entire school for a support system.
ReplyDeleteYou stated, "How can we expect disabled students to be self-confident if they do not accept their limitations?" I don't think that any disabled student does not accept their limitations, they have to deal with them on a daily basis. I think the lesson in the video of Jason is that although he had limitations he did not let it define him. That is what builds the self-confidence you discuss.
ReplyDeleteI am under the firm belief that it is not the job of the disabled individual to expose themselves to "normal" children/students without the self confidence that comes with a huge support system!!! I believe your perception is right, the goal to be socially intergrated is only going to happen when they know and which one of us thinks that we aren't 20 pounds lighter, smarter, prettier... then we really are. I have trouble as a NORMAL PERSON accepting my limitations, at what age did life become so hard. How foolish of all of us to think we are normal at this age, how about unique, compassionate, honest, sensitive...
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeleteTo a degree, I agree with you. Certainly, these feel-good stories like Jason's serve to help us feel better about ourselves. But - and this is a big but - isn't it also our job, as a society, to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to explore their gifts in as supportive environment as we can provide? This seems to me to be the crux of the situation here. Yes, students must be self-aware. Yes, students should be self-confident. From my other classes, however, and from experience, both mine and those I have observed in my students, self confidence can be a rare gift, especially when one has to deal with limitations of the sort we discuss here in class. All too often, we focus on the things that separate us from each other: gender, wealth, ethnicity, ability. One of the things we need to do, as educators, is to help shift that focus to the things that we share. An old proverb (and not so old book) states that "it takes a village to raise a child." In order to achieve integration, we need to model that behavior for our students, to become that village. If we are successful, the children entrusted to us will be able to improve on what we can do.
You might think me more than a bit Utopian in that regard. But, I have seen what can happen when a community rallies around its presumed "weaker members," and the results are inspiring. Don't get me wrong, I have seen my share of ugliness as well, but the successes do tend to build upon themselves.
Ray
(p.s. I would be more than happy to have a drink and share experiences...)
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteI know that you stated that you are new to education and do not have much knowledge acquired in the field as of yet. I can appreciate your beliefs and can also see your point of view. I think that with the more time you spend in the classroom and more special education courses you take; you will find the value in the social integration between disabled and nondisabled students. It sometimes takes getting to know these students and having them become part of your heart to really comprehend the value to a story like Jason's. When an IEP is written, there are 2 questions regarding the students placement asking if they will be educated in the same classroom setting/school as their nondisabled peers. There must be some importance to it if this is being asked in the IEP.
Well, lets start with the word "limitations." We need to be very careful in using this word. Society makes us think that we all have limitations and that we cannot reach certain goals because of our limitations. But what if everyone around you thought that you didn't have any limitations? What if people thought you could do anything? What would your life look like? So, to me the first step is realizing that limitations are man-made! We put those on ourselves and others. I think back to watching episodes of the Little People on TLC and how one of the quotes the mother makes is "We are small, but we can do everything a regular person can but just differently." Ok, so its not worded exactly but its along those lines. We need to be reminded that we are all unique but if you start putting people in categories and only put those people together how boring and complacent we would all become. You are right... this is a cruel world, but if we let cruelty rule our lives then you might as well stick us all in a dark room.
ReplyDeleteI will tell you that I agree that those who are challenged in any way in life, whether its having a disability, going through a divorce, experiencing the loss of a loved one, etc. do need each other for support too and I don't think that's bad to allow them to have their time together to bond in their differences. I would venture to say that its a necessity.
Building confidence doesn't happen because we do it ourselves. Building confidence comes from those (of all backgrounds) who rally around us and support us. Its the encouragement for us to change or for us to think we are something when we think differently, its for people to believe we can be more than we are at the time... that's what building confidence looks like. It doesn't come from sitting around others our whole life who need the same help.