Reversed: A Memoir (Book) - 9/29/2017 4:55:43 AM
You are to be commended for not taking school administrators' word for what your son could achieve. And for writing about it so that others, perhaps less resourceful than you, could read your book and learn how they can help their children, too.
Recently, I came upon a young man, Grant Manier, who is autistic. His mother, like you, found that he wasn't doing well in school, so she enrolled him in a school with other autistic children and learned how to work with him to improve his social skills. She found that he loved puzzles and making collages from bits of paper. At 20, he has already achieved fame as an eco-artist, recycling magazines and posters into fabulous works of art bringing thousands of dollars. Grant has come out of his shell and is quite social, giving lectures and interacting with customers for his artwork. I owe it all to his mother's perseverance. Similar to your story.
Since I was paralyzed 54 years ago, I have lived away from my family and they still don't know everything that I have done. So I wrote my autobiography to let them know how I've come through many trials and many adventures in spite of my disability.
Ron
Two Mothers, Two Stories (Short Story) - 5/4/2021 7:41:22 AM
The last time I heard of a child failing first grade was when I entered second grade at a new school and our neighbor across the alley, the son of a dentist, told us that he failed the first grade and was in our class as a result. We stayed in touch with him after we moved away until he was in high school, and my brother even connected with him when he was married and living in Maryland. I think he turned out all right. He certainly had a fairly good inheritance from his father.
It's sad to see the struggle that you went through. But I think sometimes parents, meaning well, try to make their child travel a path that they never would travel. From what I've heard of special education, I don't think that it's a bad route to take. I don't think the key is trying to force a child into "normal" education, but finding out through aptitude tests what that child is good at, in your case, puzzles, and then finding out how to educate and enhance that aptitude, perhaps leading to financial well-being in later life. But I wouldn't tolerate abuse and bullying because a child is "different."
Ron (I have a doctorate in education but it doesn't make me an expert on childhood education)
Two Mothers, Two Stories (Short Story) - 5/3/2021 1:04:46 AM
I was moved by both of these stories and as Mother’s the true commitment to help their children...All kids are individuals, and learn in vastly different ways for many reasons...Our kids deserve the best...these two gave their absolute best..
Total admiration!!
Best wishes,
Diana...
Two Mothers, Two Stories (Short Story) - 4/30/2021 10:58:36 AM
Hello Eva.
Her boys made it into adulthood and were doing well last time we spoke.
Two Mothers, Two Stories (Short Story) - 4/30/2021 3:35:24 AM
I'm curious as to how Raja's son fared. Did she find the breakthrough she needed?
