Far too often I have gritted my teeth when people with MS,Cerebral Palsy, Fragile X, ADHD, Dyscula etc etc have been described as "Disabled" I have had the joy of working with some of these very children who have had to wear the label of being "disabled" The little darling whom I cared for from age 11 was diagnosed as having Aspergers Syndrome,Alex had no concept of "social skills" but with a little bit of patience ( when the school allowed me) I found out that he was a whizz at computers, a marvel at maths and had a photographic memory..............Why, oh why didn't someone give this child a chance to shine, why keep a file as thick as a brick that followed him throughout his entire school life, he was known ( and not in a good light either) even before he came to our school, his records turned up at the school during the summer holidays, and surprise,surprise, the Senco and other members of staff had already labeled him as "just passing through" the school system. When I spoke to his mother she told me she was getting extra tuition for him because she knew he was bored in classes, he finished his work before the other children and because he was bored he became disruptive..........Ok, so yesterday I was out shopping, someone hailed me, I turned around, there in front of me was a strikingly handsome young man ( God, I wished I was a tad younger!) he than asked me if I remembered him, I looked closer, he seemed familial, I wasn't sure I said, then he said, "I'm Alex" Oh blessed and happy day, he has just finished college ( passed with flying colors) and is about to go to University ( reading maths and computer science ) Disabled? I THINK NOT!!!!! Way to go Alex,show them that you are not disabled but.............Differently enabled!!!

lady, for the most part i agree with what your saying, but i think the world has gone way to politicly correct. and some forms of victims should be called exactly waht they are called. for things that a person cant help, call them what you will, handi capable, diffrently abled. what ever. but for someone in a position that they could have stopped from happening, well,, call them what they are. jmo. i think it is getting kinda out of hand. in the words of the great george carlin, im waiting for a rape victim to be called an unwilling sperm recepiant.

physically disabled......not mentally disabled. I work alot with ms patients too.

Wow! What a heart-tugging story!! Yea for Alex!!

And for you, for looking beyond the file and the labels and seeing the potential.

That's wonderful!

I hear you, but I have to add that far too often it is laziness on the Education authorities/ Health Authorities and some parents who could not or would not give the time to their child in need.It is far easier (lately) to stick a child on Ritalin than to get him/her the help ( counseling or as needed attention) he or she may need. Classes are over subscribed with children of varying degrees of "disablement" when all it would take is a little time, patience and understanding and funds from the British Government( the funds are there!).............I know, I have been on the receiving end of the Education Authorities c**k-ups!35 children to a class leaves no time for individual attention, and the "Special needs" schools are being done away with, and instead of integrating the trained staff of these schools along with the children when they send them to mainstream schools, the staff are made redundant, the children are sent( herded) on to mainstream school and left in the care of normal teaching staff who haven't got the slightest clue on how to teach the child/children with a "disability"

Wow, how wonderful that must be!! It must have felt really good to see that this boy has grown and achieved and is MAKING it!! What a treat for you to get to SEE IT!!

I'm still grinning from ear to ear, the fact that he remembered me was one of the most touching things I have experienced in a long time.

nicely put...

Dontcha just love it when society gets it wrong???

Touching...very very touching,

I detest labels of any sort...especially 'disabled'.



I found out that he was a whizz at computers, a marvel at maths and had a photographic memory.......


Well there are 3 things right there this young man has over me and I am 'fullyabled' (gag)

He was able to fully shine....with your guidance...letting his life shine and he's only just begun. You gave him the spark.
God Bless You

I was told at 15 I would be in a wheelchair the rest of my life from a horseback riding accident.
Wrong, I was back on my horse 3 months later.

When I was 20 I was told if I didn't have surgery on my back and put in rods and fuse everything together I would be in a wheelchair by the time I was 30.
Wrong again. I totally landscaped an acre from scratch, including laying 100+ railroad ties into flower beds before I was 30 instead.

If I would have ended up in a wheelchair, would I then be disabled? I think not. I would still be the person I am today, possibly just not walking.

Labels are for cans of vegetables.

Go sis go !!! I also detest labels, I agree with you, labels are indeed for cans and designer clothes. I found it very hard to cope in the school when I had another file stuck under my nose..........

again way to go Alex!

Here's to all the Alex's of this world Man, anyone would think this child was mine I am so proud of him.

Truly cool! Right on!

My last romance was with a "Disabled" woman. It was fantastic!