Schools Have A Lot To Learn About Kids Who Are Different

Wed., Oct. 15, 1997

Nikki Easterling Special To Opinion

The first day of school started like many others - hurried. There were the baths, breakfast and bribes. New clothes were ready for their inauguration. The final touches were made on hair, and then my son beamed at his reflection in the mirror. “I look handsome, huh, Mommy?”

I replied with a lump in my throat, “You look very, very handsome.” He found his new backpack in the same place he put it 10,000 times the night before, and we were off.

A camera could never capture his excitement or the glow of his wonderful smile, or the way he wouldn’t even take his backpack off while he was sitting in the car. We finally arrived. I knelt down for one last hug and wished with every part of my being that I could leave my arms wrapped around him. Instead, I had to let go and watch him enter a world I know isn’t always fair or kind.

My son had been attending special education preschool for the previous three years. But the start of each new year rekindles the same feelings and fears. I desperately want him to be accepted, liked and welcomed into his new class, and I know all too well that this is not always a reality.

You don’t necessarily have to have a child in special education to share these fears. You only have to love a child who is slightly different - perhaps hyperactive or taller, skinnier, shorter, fatter or darker of skin.

This year, my son started at a new school in a wonderful neighborhood. My optimism was quickly crushed by ignorance and misconceptions. I soon found myself on the defensive. There didn’t seem to be a “right” place for him. What I have learned from yet another battle fought on behalf of my son is this: We all have a great deal to learn. The teachers need to learn more about special needs and individual differences. Principals need to better prepare teachers for the process of teaching special education students. And parents need to understand how overwhelming the entire situation is for educators.

I have done my best to teach my son that he is beautiful, smart, talented and very special. But it only takes a few cruel words to erase all that hard work.

My plea to this community is for compassion and tolerance. Every single person in this world, including my little boy, has a purpose, a place and something wonderful to teach. Open your hearts and your minds. Please, I’m counting on you.

MEMO: Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

Your Turn is a feature of the Wednesday and Saturday Opinion pages. To submit a Your Turn column for consideration, contact Rebecca Nappi at 459-5496 or Doug Floyd at 459-5466 or write Your Turn, The Spokesman-Review, P.O. Box 2160, Spokane, WA 99210-1615.

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