Citizenship in School: Reconceptualizing Down Syndrome
Christopher Kliewe
1.)"I have Down syndrome, but I am not handicapped.”
I really loved this quote. Right now I am reading a book about a boy with down syndrome, and although it's a fake character, the feelings that he has are all too real. The connection works perfectly to see how real students would feel about being labeled as "special education". No one wants to be labeled and told that they can't do something.
2.)"Community acceptance requires opportunity for individual participation in the group , but the opportunity cannot exist outside of community acceptance."
I chose this quote because I believe that acceptance is the first step to giving people with differences opportunities, and in order to find that acceptance they need opportunities to be included. This quote reminded of a "which came first" type of situation.
3.)"Community requires a willingness to see people as they are-different perhaps in their minds and in their bodies, but not different in their spirits or in their willingness and ability to contribute to the mosaic of society."
I found this quote to be quite inspirational. I think that more people should think in the terms of this quote. We all need to learn hoe to see people for what they are able and willing to do, and see past disabilities.
I think that this was my favorite reading to date. I think that the issue of down syndrome and "special education" is going to end up affecting almost all of us in this class at one point or another no matter what or where we end up teaching.
I agree with every quote and explanation. I like the last quote a lot. I feel like people need to realize that people with special needs are amazing people and have given many people reasons to be a better person.
ReplyDeleteLOVE your first quote...so short yet so powerful. I also agree with your explanation of your third quote. It was never said that down syndrome people wanted to be different or had less to contribute to society. I also agree that "special education" children are going to be a part of daily life in whatever school we end up teaching in, and after reading this article it made me think of how I was going to handle situations (like in the article) when I teach.
ReplyDeleteMeg,
ReplyDeleteI like how all of your quotes reflect around the idea that accepting others who are different is based on the community. Acceptance starts with the individual, but mass acceptance starts with a community. Special needs people are just like everyone else, and that needs to be addressed.