Guest guest Posted June 7, 2003 Report Share Posted June 7, 2003 Hi Sandy, If this was sent to a disability rights activist and asking where to vote against IDEA -it's quite apparent it's someone who wants to deliberately irritate. I tend to find those that attack and discriminate against others are those that don't feel good about themselves. " Little people " I like to call them. This person is free to share his or her view, however I can't find his view published in the media anywhere on the internet. There are however many " doctors and scientists " as he points out as those that he believes do deserve money for education -as well as other distinguished members of our society, some who started out as baggers at the supermarket (hey wait a second....I used to be a bagger at Pathmark in High School) who's published stories speak of how they were helped to overcome adversity and rise above most of the rest of the population to become what they are today due to special education and/or special teachers for them. HBO just had a huge documentary on this called Ennis' Gift http://www.hellofriend.org/ http://www.hbofamily.com/programs/parent_handbook/ennis_gift.html There is a series of books called Chicken Soup for the Soul that are all about the power of overcoming adversity to go on to rise above the rest -and many credit their rough beginnings of being poor students etc. in some way to why they became who they are today. Actually -in a book of the same name, " Earl (Overcoming Adversity) " . the person that wrote that email could read a book about a once-mute child named Earl who emerged from years of self-imposed silence to become an award-winning actor and performer. http://hallkidsart.com/performing_arts/215.shtml Or any of these books http://library.ipswich.qld.gov.au/beyond/adversity.htm People that overcame adversity to rise above challenges and then reached out to help others to do the same, people like Helen Keller, inspire the world and are heroes to us all. People that have views like the Archie Bunker that wrote that email make us feel either anger or pity to this person's ignorance, and make us feel embarrassed that they too are human. We wish they would read and learn and educate themselves so they don't continue to show their stupidity. However -perhaps the person that wrote that email doesn't like to read...I suspect not. I have an idea!! Let's pitch a sitcom with a simpleton ignorant Archie Bunker type person (like the one who wrote the email) who opposes special education funding ...who lives next door to Bill Cosby (who's son inspired Ennis's Gift!) That should be funny -what do you think?! Here is more about Ennis' Gift: " Ennis' Gift: A Film About Learning Differences This film documents the lives of celebrities, athletes, scientists and many others, all with learning differences. To each of them, learning differences proved to be gifts and have made them more open to their strengths. Visit the Hello Friend Web site to watch a clip of this video. " http://www.pbs.org/parents/issuesadvice/talkingandreading/literacyupd ates/dyslexia/resources.html " The documentary features extended interviews with a business leader, a college dean, a polar explorer, a teacher, and a 52-year- old college student, who have all met and even exceeded their life goals despite struggling early on with various learning differences. " http://www.hbofamily.com/programs/parent_handbook/ennis_gift.html ===== Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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