Imagine a day when you spilled coffee on the front of your shirt, jammed the copy machine, lost internet access, made several mistakes at work, accidentally insulted a variety of people, burnt dinner, and washed a red shirt with your white clothes. Would you consider the day a disaster? Maybe even a failure? I would. Bedtime would arrive with the promise of a better tomorrow. But what if tomorrow wasn’t better? Nor the next day…nor the next…or the next…
How many times will you try something before you get angry, frustrated, or quit? How many times will you fail at your task or goal before you give up, or become so angry and frustrated that you no longer believe tomorrow is a better day? I don’t think I would even make it a full month.
Now imagine struggling with everything including getting dressed, eating breakfast, telling someone you love them or, reading a simple sentence in a favorite book. These are the everyday struggles of students with significant cognitive disabilities or complex needs. The students that I have the privileged of teaching.
My students arrived each morning with smiles, excitement, and anticipation of the instruction and opportunities for success. They struggled to read, write, communicate, make friends, count, add, or carry the cafeteria tray without spilling. It would be understandable if they felt like the day was a series of failures and a reason to quit. But, they never stopped trying.
They could easily quit trying. Families and teachers would understand. Afterall, they have tried for years to do something that their peers could do after only a couple of tries.
They could be angry and frustrated. We would empathize with the struggle.
But they don’t.
Sure, they get frustrated and stop trying for a short time, but they always come back ready to try again. They try again, and again. Maybe this will be the time they succeed? Or maybe this time? Today could be the day they write their name by themselves, answer a question in class correctly, read a sentence, make a friend, or even walk to class by themselves. Maybe today.
I am humbled by the opportunity to teach students with disabilities. But, the truth is, I learned more than I taught. And one thing I now know to be undeniably true. Individuals with significant cognitive disabilities or complex needs are the bravest people I have ever met or could hope to meet.
