tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post121943464209195812..comments2024-02-25T10:24:30.868-05:00Comments on Special needs disability parenting BLOOM: Inclusion: The dreamBLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-48937973685952918492010-10-12T09:11:52.636-04:002010-10-12T09:11:52.636-04:00Mary -- thanks so much for sharing here. I agree t...Mary -- thanks so much for sharing here. I agree that inclusion benefits all children. We heard this too when Ben was in a regular alternative school in some of the elementary years. There were people at that school -- parents and staff -- who embraced the opportunity to learn sign language and to figure out ways that Ben could participate in things. Unfortunately, it was a poorly resourced school.<br /><br />Does Oscar have an aid at his school? Do you need to provide additional supports or does the school provide them? <br /><br />I hope you'll keep us posted on how things are going for Oscar!BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-71612298716785934902010-10-12T09:06:51.579-04:002010-10-12T09:06:51.579-04:00Hi Matt -- I think every person -- disability or n...Hi Matt -- I think every person -- disability or not -- longs to be seen and participate as an equal. And most people fear that there is something about them that won't be accepted by others. What I love about inclusion is that the more I accept other people's differences, the more I can accept my own. I like the way you see acceptance as a part of what it means to be human.BLOOM - Parenting Kids With Disabilitieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06901482901008135659noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-42837753833934546372010-10-09T17:30:25.486-04:002010-10-09T17:30:25.486-04:00The image of the windowless room in the basement m...The image of the windowless room in the basement makes me shudder. And those children in Bulgaria -- that's terrifying beyond words.<br /><br />I want to think inclusion is possible..and it has been for us for elementary school, but with A LOT OF WORK. I don't know what the future holds for Oscar, but I know that if it is inclusion it will only get more difficult to pull off. I really don't see Oscar in a high school physics class. I do see him in other classes with typical peers though. <br /><br />What gives me hope is that I know that Oscar is not the only one who benefits from being included in his class. It took me years to see it, to believe it, but the other typical kids in his class are really benefiting in huge ways too. Their parents tell me, the school staff tells me. <br />I see it.<br /><br />But where to go from here -- how to make it possible as academics increase and social scenes get more complex -- I don't know!! One thing I keep going back to is the idea of balance -- if we move to "self contained" for upper grades then the inclusion experiences will have to come from outside school..and they will need to be meaningful and well-planned. Very tricky on top of naps and homework..<br /><br />I'm really grateful to you for keeping the dialogue going.Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11399324383367077919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-447392662850613354.post-72163060295993943592010-10-08T02:11:57.389-04:002010-10-08T02:11:57.389-04:00Inclusion within a controlled environment is one t...Inclusion within a controlled environment is one thing, but I've always wanted something much more: "To be seen and participate as an equal." For, irrespective of fear, illness or handicap, we all possess an ability to move beyond intolerance and exclusion, as acceptance, friendship, and love can live within every soul.<br /><br />Happy Thanksgiving Everyone.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com