... so that's prettttttyyyyy coooool

I had my first class this morning of "Learners with special needs". We talked briefly about how the course would go and assessment tasks and such, a basic overview. Then we got right into a little lecture action. Prof briefly discussed a variety of learning disabilities including Autism and ADHD. We also watched this horrifically sad video called "Bulgaria's Abandoned Children". So sad to see. It made me think a lot! I came home and wrote the following email to my prof:

Hi there!

I must say that I rather enjoyed your lecture this morning and look forward to this course quite a bit. How's that for some early ass kissing? Just kidding. In all seriousness though, I've yet to be that engaged in any course to date, probably because I was "diagnosed" with ADHD while in year 6 and have grown up with it and all that it involves. I'd been written off by more than a few teachers in elementary and high school but I think I've succeeded academically on account of strong expectations placed on me by my parents and their unwillingness to allow me to use said "disability" as an excuse for poor results or behaviour at school. Today you turned on a HUGE light bulb in my head as to a correlation between my ADHD and my ability to and PASSION for multi-tasking! Most of my day involves multi-tasking of some sort, usually as a means to save time. It's a great point of pride for me that I feel I can concentrate on and complete a number of tasks at once. I always thought it was because I take on so much in my life that I adapted that way as a means to save time! As we speak I'm on my bike trainer at home getting in a cycling workout, all the while typing this email. I loved my part time job as a cook because it forced me to work quickly but maintain focus on a number of different tasks/responsibilities. I would have never guessed that these qualities were in the least bit related to ADHD, so that's pretty cool!

Secondly, in watching that video and listening to you mention over and over again about the importance of focusing on what people with disabilities CAN do and not what they can't, one particular story stuck in my mind. This is the ultimate opposite side of the story as what we saw today, and highlights all the positives of thinking the way you would want us to. I wouldn't be the least bit surprised if you've seen this video before but I'm not sure how popular it is outside the world of triathlon and ultra-endurance. It's the story of Rick and Dick Hoyt, and whenever I need a little bit of inspiration for my own training, I watch this video. Rick is the perfect example of what people with disabilities are capable of, both physically and academically if they are given the same opportunities as everyone else, and if those around them focus on CAN. So if you're unfamiliar with this story and have 10 minutes to spare I highly recommend it! :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flRvsO8m_KI&feature=PlayList&p=E83E548A21580508&index=10

See you next week,
Brian


To which he replied:

Brian, Thanks for the e-mail. The e-mail has inspired me to continue with the enthusiasm and joy I have in giving lectures knowing that you just hope a difference can be made.

You and I have a lot in common! I too have grown up with the condition and managed to work around the 'problems' that were caused during school to succeed in education. However, the frustration is that many don't (we are the lucky ones) and it is not because of the ADHD that many don't succeed, it is because many of the past school/classroom strategies do not cater for these students (hence why majority of people see these children and BAD). Is it such as bad condition to have? I actually am pleased 'now' for having it as there are many good things about 'us' that are due to having the condition. It is just frustrating to see many of these children written off before they have started in life.

Thanks for sending the link...I am not aware of it 'yet' but will have a look at it tonight. I truly hope you do enjoy the subject and learn from it to make you a better teacher.

Good luck for this semester and please feel free to contact me to discuss this further.

Kind Regards

Stuart



......... so that's pretttyyyyy coooooooool