Okay, I put my keynote address to the Assistive Technology Cluster Conference online.
Please keep in mind that it was delivered to a gathering of special education teachers, speech pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, school administrators and some parents of kids using assistive technology. It was also written with the (probably safe) assumption that most of them had never read the book or this blog, so there's material that may obviously seem familiar to you.
Oh, and also, I had a time slot of over an hour, so if it seems long to you as a reader, imagine how I felt. That's a lot of jabbering for one old man.
17 comments:
Even though I already know Schuyler's story, I was crying while I read the speech. I first found your blog when you wrote about your first visit to the towers site after 9/11, with a chubby little Schuyler on your shoulders. At the time, I was stunned by your gift for writing. It has only improved since then. Thank you for sharing it with us.
A Wonderful, Beautiful speech. I have sent the link to my daughter, a regular classroom 3rd grader teacher, who often has 'broken' children mainstreamed into her classroom. I hope she will not only read it, but digest it and be able to pass it forward to other teachers, to help enlighten them as well. Thank you so much for sharing it.
Rob I have just discovered your blog. I have been teaching special education for 14 years and am getting ready to go back to school facing some of the biggest budget cuts and most difficult policy changes. I am so frustrated that I am considering leaving spec ed. Thank you for your speech. You have summed it up perfectly. I am going to show it to my co teachers next week. I wish all of the parents that I worked with fought as hard as you and Julie. Keep it up.
Thank you for sharing your speech. I wanted to attend that conference when I read that you were going to be there, but I decided not to. I decided it would feel like a knife in my gut because my ARD committee decided that an AAC device wasn't right for my son. I was motivated and ready to fight for it, but then I almost lost my job as a result. That took the wind out of my sails - at least for right now. I wish that the therapists, teachers, and administrators would put themselves in our position at least momentarily - walk around in our shoes for a while and experience exactly what it is like to be the parent of a child that cannot communicate with you. It's a constant game of charades at this house, and it is exhausting. I need to "recharge my batteries," and then I'll be up to the fight once again. Thank you, in the meantime, for continuing to share your journey with all of "us." Our stories are so much alike, and it gives me hope that we might have a brighter future ahead of us when compared to our present.
I hope you got some long applause.
Well done, Rob. If anyone did a video of it, I know I'd love to see it - I'm sure it was compelling to all in attendance.
Loved. It.
What I specifically love the most about your story is what you described in the beginning of this speech - how you and Julie started this journey not as experts, but just two regular, nervous, excited parents to be. There is no reason that any parent with a special needs child cannot do exactly what you have done - learn as much as you can, fight for your child, and share your story.
Do you ever speak outside of TX?? I know many many of us would like to hear you speak but don't live anywhere near TX.
Rob,
I actually was at the conference and heard you speak. Hearing you speak was one of the reasons I made the 3 1/2 hr trek to attend the conference and bring a friend who is a speech therapist. Hearing your witty and heartfelt account was a highlight of the conference. As an occupational therapist in the Texas school system, I am always looking for ways to promote independence in the students I serve. Hearing Schuyler's remarkable story is encouraging and reminds us all of what is possible when students, parents and educators strive for the same dreams and goals. It was also a pleasure to see Schuyler. There is no doubt she is an extraordinary girl with endless potential. Thank you for sharing Schuyler's story...your family story, it has and will continue to touch and change lives. I will share the story with others as well. It is important to spread the hope, the possibilities and the realization of dreams!!!
Thank you,
Angi Pauly, OTR
Beautiful speech. I also wish I could have seen and heard it in person- but thank you so much for sharing it with the rest of us! :)
I enjoyed reading your speech and shared it with some friends, who also enjoyed it.
I think it should be required reading for any teachers or speech therapists dealing with children with disabilities. Those people should be opening doors, but unhappily, some are closing more doors than they open.
I noticed a comment you made (under the picture of Schuyler looking at the Tango) where you thought it would be so cool if Apple got together with PRC to make a communication device.
There actually was an Apple based communcation device (was, because it is no longer made), but the company's website still includes several stories about it:
http://www.assistivetech.com/story-valente.htm
You may recognize the Gemini communication device as a tablet computer made from the first version of the ibook. It was a co-operative project between Apple, Motorola and Assistive Tecch.
Now, think what kind of neat things they could do with Minspeak and the newest Apple technology.
SueM
Beautifully done. I wish I could have been there to hear it in person.
Very very cool.
I also agree with you re your comment about blogging on Nathan's blog...
"Wow", as a parent of 2 children with autism, that is the best compliment I can muster through tear filled eyes. If only more people belived in our children the way we do, what a wonderful world it would be, huh? So well written, and worthy to be heard by school districts across the country.
I read The Book...I rather enjoy watching kids play in the freezer section...whining and disrespect gets on my nerves though...The Book was awesome and may Schuyler always bless you and the world...
Rob,
As a sister to a young man with Downs, a cousin to a little girl with same, and a wife to a man whose mom is a Special Ed teacher, this is insightful and helpful on so many levels. I've loved reading about Schuyler and her monster and I'm really glad that you have been able to translate the entirety of your experience into a few pointed thoughts for the benefit of those working with your daughter and others like her. Keep up the good writing and "dad-ing".
-Sarah
I loved it. It made me cry. The message of believing in our kids ... Oh, Rob. When did you turn from a hapless, sarcastic musician into a gifted, inspiring writer?
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