physical disabilities
my husband is bipolar and has been for 25 yrs. He is very smart and picks up new information very easily. when he was in high school and college it took him many hrs to study, where it took other students less time
Philippe,
Amazing isn't it! Don't automatically count students with disabilities out-they can accomplish great things!
Sarah Smoger
I work in a culinary school we have a student in a wheel chair i am amaze we the determination of this sudent from the first days
Kimberly,
Well, the law says that we are only concerned about what happens when they are students at our institutions. However, we shouldn't let our own personal experiences, or lack thereof, limit others. Who am I to say, "it's hopeless, you'll never get a job." How would I know that? I agree that many times, students with disabilities tend to find their niche within passion or chosen career path. Keep an open mind.. :)
Sarah Smoger
David,
I agree. Thanks for sharing your student's success stories.
Sarah Smoger
I teach at LCB in Seattle. I do not think we are sending out a false message. There are plenty of options for disabled students to find externship placements and subsequent employment. It takes extra work on their part, on the part of career services and their instructors to find options, but they do exist. I've taught 2 wheelchair bound students. Both graduated, and one owns a BBQ/catering business. At one time, there was a nine seat restaurant in downtown Seattle with a blind chef/owner. False hope? No. Just more work for us to accommodate them--and that's what we should do. Down the road when you see them working, you can be proud you helped them reach their dreams.
I also teach at Le Cordon Bleu- Los Angeles and while I applaud the wheelchair bound student, I am concerned about the reality of these students finding accommodating employers and externship sites. Are we sending a message of false hope or are we just not concerned about what happens after they complete the program?
Brian,
Great idea-sometimes it takes some "out of the box" thinking to accommodate students and help them achieve their goals.
Sarah Smoger
I have a student in my class who is similar in regards that she doesn't want any special treatment however she does need extra time for mise en place as she is not as mobile as the other students and it takes longer to wash dishes or scale out ingredients. In this instance I have her come in before class to begin her mise en place.
Lionel,
Very interesting. I've had similar experiences in working with student veterans. Many of these students, because of their military training, know exactly what they want to achieve-and won't allow obstacles, such as a disability, to get in their way or deter them.
Sarah Smoger
I am an Instructor at le Cordon Bleu in Orlando,a good majority of the students are Vet who had for some of them to serve multiple time in Iraq.
The one in wheelchair or with prostetic legs do not want sometime to be treated with special rules.
They actually want to blend with the rest of the population and are actually high achiever and very harsh to themselves. They stand and refuse to take sitting break.I believe that their disability become obsolete to them and focus on their task and final grade instead.
Don,
I have known folks in wheelchairs who are determined not to let the disability interfere with anything they want to do. But I have also met folks in wheelchairs who say "no thanks" to the help because they simply don't need it. It isn't a matter of determination, it's a matter of native skill and coping strategies. GRIN
Dr. Jane Jarrow
I work in a school that teaches automotive repair that from time to time we get a student who is in a wheelchair. It always amazes me in the determination and their ability to do everything that a student who can walk can perform just as well if not better. When I ask these students if they want any help (the same that I would give to any other student) they refuse the help and do it on their own. I think sometimes the disability drives the student to do even better then if they hadn't had the disability.
Beth,
I find it interesting that you included this post under the heading of "physical disabilities." Stories of success are ALWAYS helpful in facilitating understanding of the fact that these students are more ABLE than they are DISabled. But most folks would classify bipolar under psychological disability. That fact that you include it here suggested that you might take a more holistic approach to mind/body interactions!
Dr. Jane Jarrow
