Edwin
Edwin was three years old when he came to my classroom. He arrived in a specialized chair; with a feeding tube and two ventricular peritoneal shunts. Developmentally he was about 9 months, at least that is what we were told. We were told not to expect much from him and that he pretty much could only sit in the chair and lay on the ground.
Well, I did not listen to “them”. When we painted, Edwin painted. When we played with playdough, Edwin played with playdough. When we played with blocks, Edwin was taken out of his chair and provided blocks to play with.
Edwin got to know us and got to know our routine. He began to expect to be taken out of his chair to play on the floor. He would squeal with delight. The children in our class would offer him toys to manipulate. They would play peek-a-boo with him while he sat in his chair while we were outdoor. Edwin would giggle and squeal. He would squeal to get everyone and anyone’s attention.
By the time Edwin “graduated” from our class, he was pulling himself and rolling himself across the room to get the toys he wanted, while on the floor. He would pull his chair around the shelves to get closer to the radio when it was playing classical music. He was very demanding when he wanted something. He was also a very happy child.
This was my first experience with a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. It was very disheartening to learn how close-minded some individuals are. While he did not develop much past where he was when he left us. I believe he would have developed further had others before my Teacher Assistant and I became involved. We believed he could have achieved more had he been given more opportunities and experiences in order to develop.
He has since passed away. But, he will always be an inspiration to my and my career. He will always remind me to think outside the box and never give up. He was and is my WHY.
Edwin was three years old when he came to my classroom. He arrived in a specialized chair; with a feeding tube and two ventricular peritoneal shunts. Developmentally he was about 9 months, at least that is what we were told. We were told not to expect much from him and that he pretty much could only sit in the chair and lay on the ground.
Well, I did not listen to “them”. When we painted, Edwin painted. When we played with playdough, Edwin played with playdough. When we played with blocks, Edwin was taken out of his chair and provided blocks to play with.
Edwin got to know us and got to know our routine. He began to expect to be taken out of his chair to play on the floor. He would squeal with delight. The children in our class would offer him toys to manipulate. They would play peek-a-boo with him while he sat in his chair while we were outdoor. Edwin would giggle and squeal. He would squeal to get everyone and anyone’s attention.
By the time Edwin “graduated” from our class, he was pulling himself and rolling himself across the room to get the toys he wanted, while on the floor. He would pull his chair around the shelves to get closer to the radio when it was playing classical music. He was very demanding when he wanted something. He was also a very happy child.
This was my first experience with a child diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. It was very disheartening to learn how close-minded some individuals are. While he did not develop much past where he was when he left us. I believe he would have developed further had others before my Teacher Assistant and I became involved. We believed he could have achieved more had he been given more opportunities and experiences in order to develop.
He has since passed away. But, he will always be an inspiration to my and my career. He will always remind me to think outside the box and never give up. He was and is my WHY.
So sorry to hear about Edwin passing. I'm so happy that you didn't listen to the limitations others place upon Edwin's life. It's amazing our job is to help our children, but in some cases they help us as well. Continue to help children develop to their full potential.
ReplyDeleteThank you Talesha.
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