Erevelles points out that "disabled children and adults continue to be segregated in the school, workplace, and community. This physical absence from non-segregated social settings further exacerbates their experience of invisibility" (p.429.)
While I understand that segregation for educational purposes (ie. learning Braille or Sign language) is sometimes necessary, it is true that because of this separation, many children rarely, if ever, interact with a person with a (severe) disability. If children began interacting with people of all abilities at an early age, would it increase their comfort level as adults?
I once worked as a teacher at a small, highly-rated day care. Children who were at-risk or had special needs were given priority admission status, and were incorporated into the classroom seamlessly. We had one child with severe physical and mental disabilities who was nonverbal and had to be strapped into a specially-designed chair when he was not being held. He required lots of therapy, but the therapists came into the classroom among the other children to work with him. His classmates, all one to three years old, were great with him, playing, holding conversations, and hugging him all the time. To them, he was no different than any of the other children. It was wonderful to watch! I can only hope that these children will keep their minds open and will continue to treat others equally. Unfortuntately, I'm afraid that most prejudice and fear is learned through interactions with a prejudiced and fearful society. Maybe these kids are the start of a new understanding that could be reinforced with a curriculum that is more inclusive of the stories of people with all abilities. How can today's educational system support the continuation of this process of "integration" and acceptance, so that everyone is visible who chooses to be?
marisa
Comments (6)
Marisa, you have made some good points in your reflection. I have, through your reflection, been reminded of my teenage years as a YMCA camp counselor.
While serving as a Y Counselor, I had my first contact with a 13 year old child who had cerebral palsy. I was nervous and unsure of my ability to serve this child. However, I was forced out of my fearfulness and apprehension by the glowing smile of this child as well as her pure joy for life. And, even though she could not talk nor walk, and spent most of her day in a wheel chair, this child made summer camp special that year.
I considered it a joy to be her counselor, and I am a much better person because of this experience. Perhaps, more confronting experiences like these are what people need to challenge their perceptions of reality.
Posted by Johnny Smith | July 14, 2009 4:56 PM
Posted on July 14, 2009 16:56
Johnny reminded me of a similar experience I had as a teenager. I played basketball in high school and our manager was the son of the high school civics/govt teacher. David suffered from a severe musculoskeletal condition and while he was not confined to a wheel chair his movements were labored and always seemed to me to be incredibly painful. He was also deaf. He was devoted to our team accompanying us to each and every game and staying late for practices. When we won a state championship he celebrated with us and joined us for an informal team photo. The joy he reflected on a daily basis belied the difficulty of his life. He was fixture known by all - home team and visitors alike. I had not seen David in many years but do know that he continued his viligence with the high school girls basketball team until early 2008 when he was diagnosed with cancer. From 1986 until that time he missed 3 games- you want to talk about dedication! David passed away earlier this year and I can not help but think of the loss for future girls basketball players (and no doubt others). Not of a manager and huge supporter but of a life lesson and the opportunity to interact with such a special person. As Johnny mentioned it was certainly an interaction that made a difference in my life and countless other teenaged girls.
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Posted on July 14, 2009 18:12
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