A Teenager with Disabilities Statement of Love and Courgage

The following is a statement from a client of mine who has disabilities. He is a teenager. He was adopted a number of years ago. Over the last year and a half he has been the frequent victim of bullying based on race and disability from peers. Unfortunately, school personnel have not been responsive to him and have not been protective of him. Despite all that he has been through, he is an amazingly resilient person who has an enormous capacity for love for his parents and courage in the face of adversity. It is students like him that make my job so very satisfying.

Who I Am 

I am a young man who wants to learn.

I love to play with kids.

I am easy to talk to.

I love my parents.

I know that I need to work on me, personally.

I know that I can be whatever I want to be.

I know that I’ am sensitive, but I am going to work that out.

I am a young man who is going to build his courage, little by little.

I am proud that I have the two parents I have now.

Now, I can forgive my mom for her wrong doings;

I have an incredible family that I know loves ME.

I am a young man that worries about my moms.

I am a young man who loves what his parents do for me.

I am a young man who knows that his parents are trying their best to do things for me and get the things I need.

This is me and is forever going to be me.

This is why I LOVE ME.

                                                I love you moms.

Comments

[Daunna Minnich]

I'm struck that this student, who happens to have a disability, clearly has a wonderful ability to love, understand himself, and express such important things about himself. How fortunate he is to have found the loving forever family that he deserves, and how fortunate that his family has found such a loving and capable son.

[Sandy Alperstein]

This is truly beautiful. Thank you for sharing!

Sandy

[Cyn]

A beautifully written piece from a gentle soul. He is blessed to be surrouned by such loving and supportive people. He definitely has a chance in life because of this.

[Cynthia Brown]

I too, as a special education teacher, have students with special needs who have been bullied in school. However in instances where the bullying has impeded the students ability to excel in school, I have encouraged parents to file a report with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR). Bullying based upon a disability is considered discrimination. All LEAs received a letter from the OCR in June 2000 outlining what steps to take when bullying is occurring and outlining how special needs students civil rights are being violated when bullying is based upon a child's disability.