The Many Faces of Moebius Syndrome!

WELCOME TO HOLLAND
by
Emily Perl Kingsley.

I am often asked to describe the experience of raising a child with a disability - to try to help people who have not shared that unique experience to understand it, to imagine how it would feel. It's like this....
When you're going to have a baby, it's like planning a fabulous vacation trip - to Italy.

You buy a bunch of guidebooks and make your wonderful plans. The Coliseum. The Michelangelo David. The gondola’s in Venice. You may learn some handy phrases in Italian. It's all very exciting.

After months of eager anticipation, the day finally arrives. You pack your bags and off you go. Several hours later, the plane lands. The stewardess comes in and says, "Welcome to Holland."
"Holland?" you say. "What do you mean Holland?? I signed up for Italy! I'm supposed to be in Italy. All my life I've dreamed of going to Italy."

But there's been a change in the flight plan. They've landed in Holland and there you must stay.
The important thing is that they haven't taken you to a horrible, disgusting, filthy place, full of pestilence, famine and disease. It's just a different place.

So you must go out and buy new guide books. And you must learn a whole new language. And you will meet a whole new group of people you would never have met. It's just a different place.
It's slower-paced than Italy, less flashy than Italy. But after you've been there for a while and you catch your breath, you look around.... and you begin to notice that Holland has windmills...and Holland has tulips. Holland even has Rembrandts.

But everyone you know is busy coming and going from Italy... and they're all bragging about what a wonderful time they had there. And for the rest of your life, you will say "Yes, that's where I was supposed to go. That's what I had planned. "And the pain of that will never, ever, ever, ever go away... because the loss of that dream is a very very significant loss. But... if you spend your life mourning the fact that you didn't get to Italy, you may never be free to enjoy the very special, the very lovely and the absolutely wonderful things ... about Holland.

The Boy Who Never Smiled
By: Theresa McMillan

There once was a boy who never smiled. His name was Matt Downer. But all the kids called him "Mad Downer," because they said he always looked mad. He never smiled at his mother or father. He never smiled to his friends. He never smiled when he was happy. And he never, never smiled when he poised for a picture. He just never smiled. He even hated the very idea of smiling. When his mother or father tried to get him to smile, Matt would shout "No!" When Matt’s friends asked him why he never smiled, he said, "Smiling is for losers. Why should I smile?" He never seemed to care that not smiling was making everyone around him sad.

Timmy Hapton was a boy who couldn’t smile. He wanted to smile very badly. He would look in the mirror and tried to smile with all his might. He would press his hands against his cheeks as to help himself to smile and said, "Smile." But nothing worked

One night when Timmy was going to bed he said, "Mommy, why was I made like this?" Timmy’s mother said, "Well, your smile is special because it is in your heart. Most people think a smile is just what you make with your face. But it is really much more than that."

"A smile is what you feel when you are happy or when you see someone you like. A smile can be a hug or a pat on the back to say I care. A real smile is what you feel." Timmy was happy to hear that.
Matt’s school was having picture day. All the classes were going to have their pictures taken. When it was Matt’s class, everybody took their places and started smiling. That is everyone except Matt of course. All of Matt’s classmates tried to coax him to smile by saying, "Come on, Matt, smile!" But Matt still had a stone face.

Matt’s teacher, Miss Kind, saw what was happening. She took Matt aside to talk to him. "Matt", she said, "You need to smile. A smile is important. It shows what you are really like." Matt did not smile. Miss Kind was lost as to what to do and she said to Matt very seriously, "Matt, someday people will not want to be around you because of your not smiling attitude." Matt just stared into space. Miss Kind said to herself, "Matt, I wish you could understand."

Timmy’s mother told him he was going to be in a new class. Timmy was a little scared. He told his mother, "What if the new class doesn’t like me because I can’t smile?" Timmy’s mother patted him on the back and said, "Remember what I said: A real smile is what you feel."

It was Timmy’s first day in his new class. Timmy and his mother walked toward the classroom. Timmy saw his new teacher, Miss Kind. Timmy felt very happy to see her, because she was gentle and her eyes sparkled with love. Miss Kind shook Timmy’s hand and said, "It is so lovely to meet you." Timmy didn’t feel nervous anymore.

Miss Kind told Timmy to sit with Matt. Matt liked Timmy right away. Matt just thought Timmy didn’t like smiling just like him. He really didn’t think that Timmy couldn’t smile. The other children thought Timmy was just like Matt.

Timmy and Matt became good friends. They often played together on the playground. The children at school teased them by saying, "Look at the No Smiles playing together." This hurt Timmy’s feelings. But Matt didn’t care what they said.

Timmy liked Matt very much, but he always wondered why Matt never smiled. One day Timmy asked him, "Why don’t you smile, Matt?" Matt said proudly, "Because I don’t like to." Timmy could not understand his answer. Timmy said, "I never met someone who did not like smiling." Matt then said, "Well, why don’t you smile?" Timmy said, "Because I can’t." Matt did not understand and said, "You mean you don’t want to." Timmy repeated his answer, No, because I can’t. My face can’t smile or make any expressions." Matt was surprised and asked, "How did that happened?" He listened carefully. Timmy said, "Because I was born this way. It is very rare." Matt said, "How does that make you feel?" Timmy said, "Well, sometimes I feel sad. But my mommy says that my smile is very special because it is what I feel. She said most people really don’t feel their smile."

Just then something inside Matt clicked. Matt realized what a smile is all about. It is to show how you feel. A smile is to show happiness or love for someone, As Matt thought about what a smile is, he started smiling for the very first time!

Timmy saw Matt smiling and said in amazement, "You’re smiling!" Matt began to like smiling. Matt said to Timmy, "I know what a smile is now." He patted Timmy on the back as to say thank you.
Matt smiled all the way home and surprised his parents.

One day at school when Matt and Timmy was on the playground, a boy named Will saw Matt smiling. Will said, "Look, Matt is smiling!" Will and some other boys on the playground went over to Matt and said "Matt, we thought you didn’t like smiling?" "I didn’t," said Matt. "So what changed your mind," Will said. "Timmy did." Mat explained, "Timmy can’t smile. He was born without any ability to smile. What if you couldn’t smile at your friends or when you feel happy? Will and the other boys looked at each other and said, "We would feel just awful." Matt said, "That is why I am never ever going to take my smile for granted anymore."

Will said to Timmy "How do you smile then?" Timmy said with eagerness "With a hug." So all the children give Timmy a BIG hug.

The story The Boy Who Never Smiled is to teach children what a smile is and to appreciate it. It also helps to help them to understand that there are people who are not able to smile and how they can smile in different ways. By the end of the story, hopefully children learn that a smile should never ever be taken for granted.

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THE DREAMERS DREAM!!!!!!!!!!

by Tim Smith

To all of my friends who wonder if it's okay to dream! One of the positive things about having Moebius syndrome is that you have very vivid, very realistic dreams. Sometimes when I sleep it's like watching a major motion pictures in my head. Sounds included. Only difference is, I'm in it!! Most of the ideas for the fiction stories I have written have come from my dreams. At other times I have very serious dreams revealing things about my past, present, and my future. I dream about the things I fear will happen. I dream about the things I hope will happen. In my early teens I dreamed about getting my first car. I couuldn't wait for the dream to come true. A year before I turned 16 I got a job watering plants and made a whoping $2.05 an hour! I saved all my money until I had enough for the car. I brought a 1968 American Motors rebel. The floor boards were completely rusted out and you could see the road passing by when you looked down. It shaked like it was going to fly apart when you surpassed 60 mph. To me it was the best car in the world. It was my dream come true. Later on when I was an adult I dreamed about owning a boat. I would dream about my friends and I going out on the water, catching a few fish, drinking a few beers, and having a great time. It took a while but a friend of mine and I put our money together and brought a boat. It wasn't a big boat and it would only seat five people comfortably... We had the times of our lives in it! Friends? It's amazing how many more friends you have when you have a boat. lol It was another dream which I made come true. When I was a teenager I dreamed about meeting a beautiful blonde girl (whose name I wont mention) who would change my life forever. I was determined not to settle for anything less. It took me over twenty years to find and meet her. To me it was worth the wait and she was everything I dreamed she'd be. I loved her with all my heart and she changed my life in many positive ways. It was another dream which I made come true. Unfortunatly I wasn't able to hold on to the dream because I didn't realize untill it was too late that makeing the dream come true wasn't enough. I needed to work every day at keeping the dream alive. I needed to give her a castle where she could rule as queen. I needed to listen to her when she told me to do something. I didn't! I dreamed the dream and made it come true but failed at keeping it. Sometimes love isn't enough! A lesson I hope you never have to learn. There are some dreams i've had about my future which I know will never come true. I've dreamed about becoming the President of the United States. I'm not smart enough! Honest answer! I've also dreamed about becoming a singer. To those of you who have heard me sing you know why it will never happen. To the rest of you trust me you don't want to hear me sing. Not all dreams are meant to come true, but it never hurts to dream them anyway. Dreams are where ideas begin. There have been many famous people in history who have started their legacy with a dream. Mary Shelly wrote the book Frankenstein based on nighmares she had from hearing folklore of the creature. Martin Luther King had a dream about equality for all mankind. John F Kennedy had a dream that man would travel to the moon in ten years in an age where computers were still mostly found in science fiction stories. Bill Gates had a dream about building a computer and the dream became the Microsoft Corporation. Steven Hawkins has had a dream for years about traveling into outer space and he is supposed to do it next year. Dreams can come true. I am the dreamer and my dream of hope for you is that you will never stop dreaming. Always chase those dreams no matter how far fetched they seem. Make them come alive and keep them alive. I don't care who you are, what diease you have, or what limitations you think you might have. Don't sit on the sidelines and let life pass you by. If I can make my dreams come true then you can too. Despite what others may say. You can be the next Martin Luther King, Mary Shelly, or John F Kennedy! I believe in you. I have faith in you. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND OTHERS WILL BELIEVE IN YOU AND YOUR DREAMS CAN COME TRUE!

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Laughing at me!

by Tim Smith

I recieved a few phone calls and emails from people saying hey Tim I think it's great what your doing but I would never have the nerve to put my story out there for everyone to read! Aren't you worried about people laughing at you?

At this point in my life I don't worry about whether people laugh at me or not. When I was a kid and someone teased me I ran home crying to my mom. As an adult when someone teased me I sent them home crying to their mom. Seeing things from both sides of the spectrum gives you a unique view and a better understanding.

It still bothers me when I walk into the grocery store and occasionally someone will look at me and laugh, but I understand the person who does it probably has a lot more problems than me and they use my impairment to make themselves feel better about who they are or what they are going through. It's actually pretty sad and it's not worth saying anything about it. Words can't hurt you. Stares can't hurt you.

I hope people are laughing at me. I laugh at myself alot. Like today when I tripped in a customers yard because I wann't paying attention to where I was going. Some of my blogs about my online dates are hysterical. I put them out there so others will get a good chuckle from them. I laugh all the time at some of the things I've written and said. I am an expert at opening mouth and inserting foot. Laughter is the best medicine when used in the right context.

I understand people not wanting me to blog their stories or put them in the book. I've been there and know how you feel. Plus I could be a freak and you would be guilty by association. Actually I am a freak and very proud of it.

Seriously! What I do hope is that you will never be afraid to stand up and show the world what a beautiful person you are.. We are all Gods children and to him we are all beautiful. I can't speak for him but I think he wants us to strive to show others what he sees in us. No matter who you are, white, black, skinny, fat, smart, dumb, impaire.., there will always be people out there who laugh at you, but there will be more people out there applauding you for your courage to stand up and show the world just how special you are.

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Huggles the Honeybear by Gavin Fouche

It was the end of a busy day at Wriggley’s Toyshop. Everybody had gone home and the great big green doors which guarded the toys inside had been tightly shut and locked.

Inside, the toyshop was covered in darkness. But all was not quiet as a faint whimpering noise could be heard. It was coming from one of the toy-shelves.

From the sales counter, of where he had been placed on display for promotional purposes, Policeman Pete switched on his torch. (Luckily for him batteries had been included!) "Who’s there?" He asked as he slowly swung the torch beam across the toyshop.

When no answer came Policeman Pete shouted into the darkness; "Identify yourself! Or when I find you I shall be forced to make a Plastic Policeman’s arrest!"

But still nothing.

"I come with an exact replica of a real police badge you know." He added.

Just then the beam of torchlight fell upon a single teddy bear sitting up on an empty shelf. The bear had a soft brown furry coat and an almost honey-coloured snout and tummy.

Policeman Pete recognized him instantly. He was a Honeybear. A Honeybear was the type of bear that was so cuddly that children all over the world were being tucked in next to one at night these days.

"I-I’m so sorry if I disturbed anyone." The Honeybear apologized with a final sniff of sadness.

"Why were you crying?" A soft voice from a nearby shelf asked.

All this talk had now awoken the miniature dolls who switched on the lights in their doll house to see what all of this was about. The toyshop was now bathed in a dim yellow glow and the Honeybear saw that the voice belonged to a Tina Ballerina doll on the shelf next to his.

She was the most beautiful ballerina –and certainly the most beautiful Tina- that he had ever seen.

"My name is Huggles -Huggles The Honeybear- and nobody wants me." He sighed.

"Whatever makes you say that?" Asked Tina.

"This shelf," Huggles pointed with his paw, "was full of lots of other Honeybears and all of them were sold today. Harold, Horace, Henrietta, Helen – all of them. All of them except me, that is."

"Well maybe they just never had a proper look at you." Offered Policeman Pete who had by now switched off his torch in order to save batteries.

"But they did,"said Huggles. "Shirley the shop assistant came around with them. They were two humans named Mr. and Mrs. Fossington-Jones. I was then picked up by Mrs. Fossington-Jones who was wearing a fur coat which looked a lot like my own

I noticed that her lips were painted as red as fire engines and her eyelids were painted bluer than the sea."

"That’s make-up," said Tina

"No. It’s absolutely true." Huggles replied.

"You said that she pointed something out on you." Policeman Pete said thoughtfully. Huggles nodded. "Could it be that she was pointing out that something was wrong with you?" Asked Policeman Pete. He smiled to himself as it was a deduction worthy of his counterpart, Detective Dan.

"Wait a second," Said Tina as she bent over to pick up a toy mirror. "Here," She said, handing Huggles the mirror, "Do you see anything wrong with yourself?"

Huggles inspected himself closely in the mirror. "Well no, not exactly." He said.

"You know, you’re quite a handsome chap – for a bear." Tina teased. "And that’s a compliment you can smile about you know." She added

"Oh but I am smiling, can’t you see?"

Suddenly it was clear. Policeman Pete looked at Tina, Tina looked at Policeman Pete, and Huggles looked closer into the mirror – that was it! Huggles couldn’t smile.

Tina let out a small surprised squeal. "Huggles- " She began. "-You don’t have a smile."

"I don’t have a smile?" Huggles half-asked.

"How can this be?" He asked. "Whenever I am happy I can feel myself smiling."

"Perhaps it’s just a manufacturer’s error and can still be easily fixed." Offered a voice from the above shelf.

It belonged to Edward the Aardvark. Edward was the oldest toy in the toyshop. He was surrounded by a number of stuffed toy ostriches, giraffes, lions and crocodiles – all very popular with the tourists.

"I once knew a bear named Ziti the Zoo Bear who was made with only one ear," He said in his deep, slow, voice. "His new owners had him sent away somewhere where they fixed him up again."

"So I can be fixed?" Asked Huggles. Edward nodded his wise old head in his typical old slow fashion.

"Where do I go to get fixed?" He asked again.

Edward the Aardvark raised his head to look at the ceiling, and thought for a moment.

Unfortunately for the young and impatient Huggles it turned out to be a rather long moment.

Finally, after that moment turned into yet another moment, Edward looked at Huggles and said in his same slow tone; "Well, the thing is, I don’t know exactly."

"If I were you young squire I should embark upon a quest."

Huggles looked at the shelf opposite and saw that it was said by Norman the Knight. He stood with his sword in one hand and his shield in the other.

"A quest?" Asked old Edward. " Is that like when you ask a short question?"

"A quest is when you go on a journey in order to find something." Norman replied somewhat in a huff."Usually in my case it involves a Damsel in Distress." He added with a slight bow.

"A donkey in a dress?" Asked old Eddy Aardvark, clearly puzzled.

Norman sighed heavily. "A damsel in distress, my good sir, refers to a beautiful lady in trouble. And it is one which only I," Norman bowed again,"Can save."

"In other words a quest is like a Grand Adventure." It was Bobby the Bookworm who was a bookend and therefore considered himself to be somewhat of an educational toy. He occupied a place alongside Policeman Pete on top of the sales counter.

"All the heroes you read about in the great storybooks usually all set off on a Grand Adventure at some point or other, from the Cat In The Hat to King Arthur and his Knights Of The Round Table – everybody. And nowadays even Harry Potter." He explained.

Huggles stood up from where he sat."That’s it!" He said excitedly. "I shall go on a quest – on a Grand Adventure – I will go on a journey to find my smile." The other toys who had been listening voiced their agreement.

"If you need a way out," Offered Policeman Pete, "There is a small space you could squeeze through beneath the front doors."

Huggles gazed at the two giant green French doors. He saw the small space between the doors and the ground.

"It’ll be a tight squeeze but I could probably fit through that." He said thoughtfully.

Huggles carefully climbed down from his shelf and went around to bid his farewells. He shook paws with Edward the Aardvark, and hands with Policeman Pete and Norman the Knight.

"If only I had my trusty, noble steed young fellow, I shall go with you," Said Norman, "But alas, my horse is sold separately."

"Good luck my friend," Said Policeman Pete. "When you leave I’ll turn a blind eye." He winked at Huggles.

Just as Huggles turned away, Tina Ballerina hugged him tightly. He saw a small tear forming in the corner of her eye.

"Oh Huggles, take care of yourself!" Said Tina.

Under normal circumstances Huggles would’ve let her know with a smile that everything was going to be alright, but he decided to dry away her tears with his furry paw instead.

Huggles gave everything one last look before squeezing himself through the space between the door and the floor.

Once he emerged on the other side he dusted himself off and smoothed his fur straight as it was all sticking up from the big push. He did not want to be mistaken for a porcupine by the outside world after all!

He glanced back into the toyshop window and waved a final goodbye to his friends on the inside before setting off on his search for a smile.




Copyright, Gavin Fouche, 2009


*Note On Text - Huggles embarks on a quest to find his smile, but he will end up finding something more worthwile - Heart.

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Faces

by Rak Mehta

I want you to imagine a little boy around 8 or so who has been undergoing a form of development. Every year the boy achieves something which was mentally incoherent the following year. From structuring to sentences to writing algebraic equations, the child is undergoing a rapid growth spur. However he is still enrolled in Special Ed courses. Many years past and the child still show severe signs of improvement although his syndrome is still evident his abilities are improving. The child begins to provide complex analysis of novels such as a Clock Work Orange interdisplinary. The potential of this particular child is absolute and he wants to achieve even more complex obstacles. Eliminating him from the Special education system and enrolling into a regular conditioned environment. However when the child approaches his instructor and informs him of his desires The instructor states the following It would be too difficult for you Billy. The child is then put into a solitary confinement. A special Ed classroom for the duration of his junior and high school career. Although it is obvious he does not have a learning disorder; the instructors failure to acknowledge Billys Abilities keep him buried deep down in the solitary confine which I like to call our education system. As Billy progresses into High School he is still put into a basic level course. Eventually he loses interest in school and begins to ponder over the option of dropping out. During Class Little Billy is observed by the special Ed students for sleeping during discussion about an arithmetic problem. The instructor observes this; forcing him to wake up The instructor calls Little Billy to the board to provide an explanation for the arithmetic problem. Slowly and swiftly little boy rises to his feet looking pale and dry as the Tuscan sun. As Little Billy finishes solving the problem the instructor nods slowly admitting the childs accuracy later when the child request to be transferred to a advance course the instructor refuses, Informing the child and the parents he will not succeed in a academic environment. Later Little Billy drops out of school; pursuing more challenging endeavors as a Garbage Collector. What caused little Billy dropping out? Ladies and Gentlemen meet the parents, the procrastinators of America--- those who facilitate our education.

In our daily lives we are often provoked to play a certain role we abide by the social norms associated with these roles and act accordingly. It is when we get too caught up in our roles and cannot form the distinction between reality and fantasy. I believe in our modern society many educators in our society are too into their role that often times they fail to understand the basic human emotions. Often times underestimating the students potential to succeed. It is here I reveal the basis of this essay it is not to ridicule the facilitators but rather provide a form of encouragement. Every Teacher wants the student to be successful however often times students are discouraged by the instructor to try to eliminate obstacles which shadow their daily lives. Many teachers have the passion for teaching student that they often try to teach the wrong ideas to students. Inviting them to take the easy way out by discouraging potential challenges the child wishes the overcome. Believe it or not, this is a very common trend in our school systems; the scene I presented to the reader may have included a hypothetical name but, it did not include a hypothetical example. Throughout my life I have faced the severe torment of our education system; Although many things were very hard for me to accomplished I eventually overcame the struggles life presented me with. However, because of my disability often times I was discouraged by my instructors negligence not to allow me to advance into the next course. I was often times placed into low level classes with the assumption that if one placed me in an advanced course my lackluster performance would be only evident. Eventually I proved the critics wrong by accomplishing which before was only an enigma. I am currently enrolled in one of the most prestigious universities in the nation. So all the meetings all the I cannot do this talk it was all.. Useless. Regardless it is not how the teacher reaction to my educational experience which worries me. It is the future of our educational system The pride and joy of learning in our primary institutions is no longer there. Instead I find the current education we receive is much like a competitive sport between fellow instructors. I believe every instructor wants to produce the best student then often times their ego gets in the way of helping those who are need.

Although, my anger for our current education system goes without notice one has to take into account the Teachers side of the spectrum. Many teachers instinctively may believe they are trying to do the best for the child. For instance, many teachers believe placing a student who has demonstrated potential into a lower level class will make their life much more satisfactory placing more psychological consequence as it relates to the development of the child. Many instructors in the current education system often find discouraging students potential will enable a student to be more successful by discouraging his potential because of a factor of instinctive motivation a child has. Every child instinctively has the mind set to rise above the challenges and difficulties which are faced in modern day society. For instance if a student is told he cannot do a certain task, the child may rise above and try to eliminate the instructors preconceived idea about a certain situation by working hard in a strive to achieve success. This is very common in our society when a child is told something contradictory to his beliefs; he is motivated to achieve the goals even placing a child in a lower level curriculum could help develop self esteem in a child who otherwise would not be motivated to succeed. Also many teachers believe in their hearts the child will be able to get indivualized attention. For example, in a lower level English course the child will be in a smaller class which will enable the instructor to provide input to the child. For example, a child who is placed in a lower level English course may benefit from the input which will allow him to be much more successful. Usually the teacher has good intentions to place a child in a certain course or to recommend a certain change most of the time the teachers take into consideration what would be best for the student.

Although, Instructors would like nothing to watch the child be successful. Many times they do not take account the potential of the student. According to John Gatto, children in our society have the potential to succeed if given the chance. Gatto believes in the lack of interdisciplinary activity from many of our education institutions which causes a delay in the growth process. According to Gatto, in our modern society children are too dependant on peers and parents that they fail to be independent. When the instructor gives personalized attention to the student they are hindering what would be the childs performance if he were on his own. According to Gatto our education system is like a computer processor which stores away the data not allowing the child to discover interdependently which in turn eliminates the childs sense of reality. In an effort to prove his theory Gatto constructed a mini experiment, He sent a young girl on a mission to have lunch with the sheriff of a different town. The young lady had not seen reality but, was believed to be very good in education. Eventually while coming back home, the 10 year old girl became stranded. Based on the event, Gatto even furthered his explanation on how feeble society is when they are dependant on others. If a student desires to be in a course based on his potential it is believed he should be allowed to be independent. To support the claim of interdisciplinary, Carl Rogers a humanistic society who is very much involved with human rights believes we need to trust Students motivation and potentials. According to Carl Rogers the main problem in our school systems is not how the student is reacting to the desires but the lack of realness portrayed by the professors. To contradict the belief made earlier several instructors want the student to be dependant on them (exp in basic courses) because they are afraid of the dependant character. Rogers believes in our current generation Instructors are too caught in the role of a teacher they often fail to recognize the student has emotions too. Rogers believes instructors should step outside the role as an instructor letting the child have a voice in his/her education. It did not seem like you were a teacher to me but rather a sharer. You were sensitive to our thoughts and portrayed yourself as authentic (One source wrote). Another student wrote You conducted the class on a personal basis; addressing our concerns. When an instructor takes into account the students views with passion and desire the instructor also demonstrates how much he cares about the student. Based on the Dalai Lamas philosophical beliefs it is believed that those when an instructor fosters intellectual development in a child. The instructor gains a sense of happiness or just a tingle feeling of success. The Dalai Lama is a religious leader and an Indian philosopher who believes in peace and love. In the novel A holiness of a good life Dalai Lama writes about how you should take the time to truly help someone who is in need. What better way to help someone then to help them discover their independence? When we accomplish the goal of helping or taking care of others it was believed we would benefit from true happiness. Placing a student in a basic course may seem like it helps the child. Dali Lama believed that we need to look deep within our hearts to see if we truly believe in the behavior we engage in. Next time we discourage a child to pursue from choosing a certain direction in their academic career Dalai Lama believed we should look deep within us to see if it is really within our spirits to deny a person of an education. Dalai Lama writes The basic essence of a human is genuine, Compassion and hostility (Dalai Lama, Pg 105). Although several writers encouraged us to look deep within ourselves.

As the reader skims through this essay, two different viewpoints have been presented, I will let you determine which is the better option A or B, however before I conclude this long winded journey and the quest to better humanity, let me first state that I have nothing, but the upmost respect for our education system and the paraprofessionals who encompass it without the support of these individuals I would not have become as independent as I am today. There are several students who require extensive support and our education system does a good job in accomodating these individuals, but how about the children who require accomodations, but are slowly developing, do we continue to provide extensive care to these individuals or do we slowly push them forward. As the reader is skimming through the previous sentence the answer is rather apparent. If the child is slowly developing, we push them forward, easy response to a rather stupid question, but the question is how do we know if how he is developing?. Not only do we need feedback from the instructors and parents, but the child himself. This is where the special education's lackluster performance is astounding and sometimes bewildering. The current technique of the special education system is to challenge students only based on "how they percieve the student should be challenged". At a typical meeting with special services, the parents and students will meet with the head of the department and several paraprofessionals to discuss the child's accomodations for the next term usually what happens in High School is the director already has accomodations written down and he/she just confirms them with the parents. If the parent wishes to dispute these accomodations he/she is asked to schedule another meeting and is told "this mtg is just to confirm these accomodations". In other words it is not a meeting it is what I like to call a "rigged meeting" where the "tyrants" prevail and the "citizens" have to wait to see another day. On the other side of the spectrum, in College the system is much different, at the meeting the child meets with a Disability coordinator and he/she goes over the child's accomodations then puts it in a letter for the child to give to his/her instructor. The Office of Disability services do not interfere with the child's education in any way aside from providing him/her with the necessary accomodations. If the student does not give the letter to his/her instructor than tough luck!. Better yet the student can decide if he needs these accomodations and can inform his instructor accordingly. Typical college accomodations inculde: extended time on exams, use of laptop, use of tape recorder, option of having a notetaker(which the student can decline) etc. In my opnion this is a better approach to our education system than the "High School approach". The overarching aim is to shift the values of the student from interdependence to independence, however by deciding the student's fate for him when he/she is nevertheless capable of making his own desicions, there may never be a value shift because chances are the student will never have the chance to perform in college. These dreams will no longer be realistic, but shattered!

Crossed and Crooked!

By Leslie Van De Car-Dhaseleer
My face was different so obvious to see,
I couldn't hide how God had made me.

Born with crossed eyes that were soon mixed with glasses,
and a cracked smile for everyone who passes.

I wore the shoes i thought were so neat,
which helped to straighten my crooked little feet.

Doctors! Doctors, of one type or another,
Hand in hand I went with my mother.

The death of my father at the age of six,
changed life as we knew it for my brother and sis.

One day a spark of light appeared,
I knew I could do it, if I just had no fear.

Day after day I practiced hard,
Determined to succeed with all of my heart.

Finally, upside down across the land,
I took off walking on my hands.

Attention no longer stayed on my face,
I was different allright, all were amazed.

As I grew older I began to see,
just how cruel other could be.

At age thirteen with my feet on the ground,
Life looked better from upside down.

When kids were mean and called me names,
mother said, "Honey your not to blame."

My older brother cracked some heads,
when he learned of the things they had said.

It took me some time but eventually I could see,
what God had really done for me.

He made me "Special" so different from others,
to help me understand my sisters and brothers.

Crossed and Crooked was impossible to hide,
so God gave me love to share from inside.

If I can make friends of those who stare
I get a challenge and it makes them more aware.

Don't speak until spoken to! That's not my way,
I always come first with something to say!

To look like Barbie would be such a curse,
I can't think of anything that would be much worse!

Growing up different was tough I would say,
but I wouldn't have had it any other way.

So, thank you God for putting me to test,
for now I know I truly have been blessed.
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Authors Notes
When you come across someone who has a difference, please talk to them. Remember they are just like you on the inside. Be the first to say hello and offer your friendship. They might be shy at first, so go that extra mile. Learn to ignore your eyes and listen for smiles, you can hear them if you try

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IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER,
BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT TELLS
WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED!