I was reading the Parade section of our local newspaper, when one article piqued my interest. The featured story, Counting Her Blessings, was about Stephanie, a young lady who sustained 2nd and 3rd degree burns over 80% of her body in 2008. At that time, she was 27, happily married, and a mother of four children. Despite her disfigurement, which isn’t as bad as one might think, the miracle is that she is alive, the family intact, and all are doing well.
What struck me in reading the story was a certain comment made by Stephanie during her healing process:
“But there I was, standing – for the first time in almost four months. The nurses then helped me into a wheelchair to take me on my first trip to the physical therapy room. Every joint screamed. When I complained about the wheelchair, the nurse gently pointed out that if I learned to walk I wouldn’t have to ride. I nodded and smiled, but seethed inside. Really? I wanted to pull her hair.”
Upon reading that comment, I laughed. I read it again and laughed even harder. I laughed so hard, I cried. Why? Because it hit me: because I realized that all too often I make similar comments like that to my students when they complain about being in the pacer, stander, walker, or adaptive chair.
“The more you stand, the stronger you’ll get!”
“It’s not that bad!”
“Come on… you can do this.”
“Come on… you can walk a little bit further!”
“Come on… you can stand a little longer!”
“It’s good for you!”
“Just five more minutes!” Which, of course, often turns in to ten, fifteen, twenty more minutes!!!
“You’re a big boy/girl!”
And the list of comments goes on. All too often, after making comments like that, my students will give me a look. My para-educators and I often wondered, by the look on their faces, what they were thinking. After all, the majority of my students are non-verbal and communicate through vocalizations, gestures, and body language. Well, I don’t have to wonder any more. I think I might have a few ideas now…
“Really… I could pull your hair right now!”
“Really… I could just smack you right now!”
“Really… how about we trade places!”
“Really… I could scratch you right now!”
“Really… !!!!!!!