Inclusion

Inclusion is a powerful thing.

Its been a while since I wrote for this blog and while I have been contemplated on many occasions on writing again, there are many topics that swirl in my head. Teaching is the heart of this blog but it is certainly not the only thing going on in my life but it is the thing that I give so much of my time and thoughts to. Mostly, because there is much to do and not enough time in my day to do it all. I know I am not alone in this. There are many of us juggling career, family and side hustles. But when you love what you do and are passionate about it, it becomes a never ending process of learning and becoming better at what we do which impacts all those lives we touch.

I recently presented at a conference on inclusion in summer programming. As I was thinking and researching, my memory took me back to my own experience in school. I remember passing  the special education classroom every day. My cousin, Greg was in that classroom for all 4 years of high school. When he wasn't in that room he could be found sweeping the hallways. That is what I remember seeing him do more than anything. He was friendly, all the students knew him. He didn't seem to mind sweeping but as a college student,  I studied about special education and more about the laws pertaining to a special education and I have wondered......was he learning?

At home, Greg was held to the same standards as his 5 siblings. He had chores, he was given the freedom to walk uptown to the pool room and play games with his earned money. I only recall hearing one of his sisters on one occasion announce that he could not do something but generally he had the same expectations as other kids at home. We were in the backyard playing a serious game of kickball and his brothers were not taking it easy on him as he was not as fast at running the bases. That did not sway him from playing the game. He continued on even though his brothers got him "out" every time he rounded the bases. I remember feeling bad, sorry for him as he was not as fast as his brothers. 

My aunt and uncle did not have parental training on how to teach a child with special needs. In those days, it was called "retarded" and was associated with mental illness. The doctors believed he would be slower  than others in his development and some things, he would never be able to do. There was no Individualized Education Plan. There was no cure. There wasn't a family meeting, there wasn't a PowerPoint presentation, it was only the natural, logical, practical way my aunt and uncle supported him to become a fully functioning adult.  They taught him how to do dishes, make his bed, dress himself. After high school he learned to drive and passed his drivers ed exam. He worked in the local adult learning center for adults with special needs for a couple years until he had developed the skills for outside work. He then got a job at our local grocery store where he worked for the next 30 years. In the meantime, he married and bought a house and is living a full life. 

What if my aunt and uncle had not allowed him to learn in his way and his time?

What if they allowed his challenges to disable him? 

Where would he be?

I've thought about this many times and I keep coming back to the idea that being included is powerful. In our vulnerability and humanity, our differences and giftedness - we all bring something different to the table. Embracing those differences in each and every person brings us to that understanding of individual value. 

Inclusion is an experience. Many experiences.  

It could possibly be... the most powerful thing.