[stylist] Patterson's speech

[Judith Bron]

I just listened to Patterson's speech.  I have to admit, I was very impressed.  I want to mention one thing about special ed that paints impressions for many.  Special doesn't only mean mentally handicapped.  I have a friend who is fostering two down's syndrome children.  The younger one is at a higher learning level, so she is receiving a decent education in Rockland county.  The older one is physically disabled in addition to her mental disability.  She has severe arthritis.  The public school demanded that she climb two flights of stairs daily to get to her classroom.  My friend was in and out of court until she got a tutor for the little girl at home.  But I digress.

When I first became blind people that I knew for years treated me like I lost my mind.  It was an awful experience that no one should have to go through.  When talking about disabilities, there should be a distinction between mental and physical handicaps.  When the governor mentioned special ed, this is the thought that went through my mind.  When a parent says that their child is a special needs child they should be able to qualify that statement.  Is the child mentally handicapped?  Wheelchair bound?  Blind?  Hearing impaired?  This is the big change I would bring to the department of education and the way they presently categorize handicapped children.  In addition to teaching Braille to blind children in schools, I think they should offer Braille classes to adults wherever they can.  In Rockland County no such place exists.  Thanks for the link, Donna.  Judith