[blindkid] Are blind people an inspiration?

[Eric Calhoun]

Hi Arielle, I appreciate your comments very much.  I want to present this
in a diffferent view.

First of all, I do appreciate when people people who say I inspire them. 
I have always been reminded to thank those that compliment me.  I, too,
have overcome a lot of obstacles in my life.  I stopped talking when I hit
Los Angeles at 5 years old, had to go to the Foundation for the Junior
Blind at 6, and went to Camp Blooomfield, also %t age 6.  I learned
Braille, learned to interact with other blind students so much at age 7, I
practically visited every student at the FJB dormitory at night.  I ate
meals every day, Monday through Friday, and learned so many skills that I
was deemed too smart to stay there.

When that wasn't enough, I re-entered elementary school in the 2nd grade
and was a straight A student.  Then 3rd grade.  Straight A student.

In 4th grade, a young 4th-grade teacher named Jamie Dote-Kwan
(do-tee-kwon) really got on my nerves.  I did not like her "militarized"
style of teaching.  I, like you, had a few failed assignments.  I began to
have problems in mathematics and in reading.  But Mrs. Kwan was too much to
handle as a VI teacher!  Once, she observed me performing blindisms on a
cold November day.  That day was a Tuesday.  The afternoon of the very next
day, I had to write to her that for 25 times, "I will sit nicelly on the
bus."  Right then and there, Jamie and I weren't getting along.  But I had
potential.  I didn't like being called irresponsible!  So, rather than talk
back, I cried myself to oblivion!  

I remembered that Jamie made me do things I did not like.  I had to miss
recess because I got too many problems wrong in math.  To make matters
worse, I was told I could make it.

With the days of the high-heeled Jamie Dote-Kwan out of sight, and out of
mind, I entered Latijera (la tee hera) Elementary to try and to get that
magic back.  But I was excluded in many things.  I wass able to pass the
6th grade, and was ready for 7th. 

But then, I was held back and made to repeat 6th grade.  At Frances Blend
School, I h,' f*# lfew friends, I got in trouble alot, and took Los Angeles
Unified to court.  I wanted to exit Blend, but was refused everytime.  What
made it worse was that Mrs. Marie Hadaway was another "military" teacher. 
I finally wanted to "culminate." (Graduate in elementary.)  

Then came 8th grade, 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th.  I began to get out of my
shyness.  I spoke on the panel about blindness at North Torrance High
School.  I was still the rebellious kid, but never got in trouble except
for the occasional tardy bell, a school detention, and class detentions.

At my senior year, I was again told I wouldn't do much in college; that I
was a failure.  But I culminated from high school.

I don't want people to say that I inspire them in a negative way.  I must
do it in a positive way.  Every time I was made fun of and put down, I
pulled together.  When now gets me are the people feeling sorry about me
being blind.  I have been blind my entire life.  I was always told in
school to play the game of "trick the teacher."  But it does not work in
college or university.

In closing, don't let people get to you.  You do not have to be an
inspiration to  be loved.  Be thankful and blessed, but be humble.  I
cannot speak for the blind; I am speaking for myself.

Eric
..

Eric from Los Angeles.  May 2013 be the best ever, and may the rest of
your life be a joyous occasion. Eric on Facebook: eric at pmpmail.com.  On
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