CHARGE Re: One of 's stories.....

March 4, 2007

Hi guys,

Reading about the Little League posting made me think of something

that happened with when he was attending Scranton School for the

Deaf.

always strove to be part of things he saw the other kids doing.

When he first started at SSSD school he wasn't accepted 100%. Their

were deaf kids from all over the state attending the school.

seemed so fragle compared to some of his peers. He wanted to fit in so

badly. had his little quirks that some of the other kids just

didn't understand. He was always an early riser, like 6 in the morning

riser. Many a time he got the brunt of someones anger because he would

just barge into their rooms to talk with them or wanting to show them

something he made with legos. When the other kids would tear into him

verablly (as in some very bad sign words) would expect them to be

put on detention for being rude. didn't understand that not

everyone liked being awakened at 6 am.

It stood to reason that in picking a roommate for that they

tried to pair him with someone similar to . had a rather

meek guy much like himself. Well one night his roommate because very

sick and they wanted to move people around so wouldn't get sick

also. Well the biggest bad a-- boy on his dorm floor volunteer to room

with on a temporary basis. Mind you I was not privy to this while

it was happening. I would have probably stopped it. This very large

young man was from the Philadephia area and had been in alot of trouble

before coming to SSSD. I would have believed that his volunteering was

a disguise to get my boy alone to make his life misrable. I was so

very wrong......This big hunking guy was hiding a heart of gold. After

the illness was over he and decided they wanted to remain

roommates. He took under his wing. No one dared to pick on

after this friendship was formed.

at this time was going to a hearing Vo-Tech school for

carpentry class. He was going for 1/2 day everyday. Because of timing

was getting his lunch at the Vo-Tech. Their were some jocks in

the cafeteria that were teasing and making fun of . Never got

physical but upsetting very much. was taking his fustration

back to Joe, his roommate. Joe began showing some boxing,

punching moves. No one else( myself or dorm counslers) knew this was

happening. Joe encouraged to stand up to the bullies thinging

that they would back down when push came to shove. So one day at lunch

one of the kids starteed in on . stood up motioning with his

hands as if saying come on, come on.....The jock was so flabber gasted

that he didn't know what to do....He didn't want to get in a fight with

how would that look??????? From that time on they left

alone. I know that this could have possible ended very badly. If I or

dorm counslers had known it was going on we would have interviened but

I have to wonder if our interviening would have stopped the teasing

like Joe's help did. Thank God it didn't get physical... But what Joe

gave was something precious. Acceptance. I have to tell you that

Joe ended up at SSSD as the alternate to ending up in juvenile court.

This tough deaf kid from the city was 's guardian angel through

high school. He did a turn around for himself and graduated as a loved

member of 's class. I will always think of him with fondness.

mom to (31)

March 4, 2007

This is an amazing story, . Do you or know where Joe is now??

It strikes me that this story could be made into a book or even a movie. WOW. I

love it!

wendy

Mom to Kendra, 20, 26, and Camille, 29