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

[Guest guest]

,

You know, I'd have to ask ... is involved in alumni and

attends all the get togethers but it's with everyone from his house

who go as a group to the activities. I deffinitly will ask if

Joe attends any of the get togethers. I hope so.

I remember when graduated from SSSD that the class planned a

dinner for parents and family one evening before graduation. It was

so sad at the number of kids who didn't have family there. This was

not a big class and their were to many that didn't have family

attend. It was so sad. Each of the kids got up and talked about what

the school and family meant to them. Wasn't a dry eye in the place.

Over the years that attended the school we would make the trip

to his dorm for special occisions such as birthdays and activities.

Henry and I got to know all the kids from his dorm. When we come to

Ca. I will bring some of the pictures we took over the years of

and his friends.

got allot of awards when he graduated but the one that meant

the most was the one where classmates, teacheres, and dorm counselers

voted on for the one who always had the best attitude in day to day

living. They all voted for . It was a hands down decision. The

plaque is to this day hanging in his room.

mom to (31)

>

> 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

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

>

>

> 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)

>

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