tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post5153663297374514647..comments2023-12-17T21:45:17.581-05:00Comments on Brainstorm: "Josh's Story"- A Mother's Brave Account of Her Son's Challenges, Growing Up with Special Needs Gilly Cannonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-6993742552986925422013-03-15T15:38:27.064-04:002013-03-15T15:38:27.064-04:00Leesa , you know all too well what is like to rais...Leesa , you know all too well what is like to raise a child with an invisible disability. Jeremy's talk was so powerful and I am very glad The Huffington Post wrote about it. In it Jeremy who has a masters degree in library science cannot get a job because the interview process makes it very challenging to see past Jeremy's social skills to the skills that would make him a great fit for the jobs for which he has applied. Please take a moment to read about him and ask yourself the question <br /><br />Why wouldn't you want to employ Mr Band?<br /><br /><br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cari-shane-parven/why-wouldnt-you-want-to-h_b_2827471.html<br /><br />Gillyx<br />Gilly Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-37750160567047234522013-03-15T15:31:19.998-04:002013-03-15T15:31:19.998-04:00As the parent of a special needs child, this post ...As the parent of a special needs child, this post resonates strongly. Thank you to Nancy and Gilly for sharing this. My son recently spoke publicly about what it is like to BE a young adult with an invisible disability (Asperger's). A blogger for the Huffington Post wrote it up : <br />http://www.huffingtonpost.com/cari-shane-parven/why-wouldnt-you-want-to-h_b_2827471.htmlFieldsbandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01397458770078194403noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-48811939283834326042013-03-05T10:06:13.539-05:002013-03-05T10:06:13.539-05:00Thanks Maria Ana - I will pass on your message an...Thanks Maria Ana - I will pass on your message and feedback to Nancy. It is a community effort to make sure all our kids are raised in positive, nurturing, supportive communities.<br />GillyGilly Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-86163988970002271482013-03-03T22:22:38.202-05:002013-03-03T22:22:38.202-05:00hi there Gilly, this is a powerful story and I fee...hi there Gilly, this is a powerful story and I feel every word in it.. because I am myself a teacher for children with special needs. I dealt with children like him.. but you know, all we can do is believe and trust that, everyth is gonna be fine if we only not give up and work hard together to combat it. Parents, therapists, teachers must stand strong to provide him with all that he needs in order to live a much more functional and meaningful live everyday. Thanks sooo much Gilly for sharing this. and Kudos to Josh' family who remain strong and supportive and positive all through. Maria Anahttp://www.mydailypages.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-2910538670528532762013-02-28T22:03:38.773-05:002013-02-28T22:03:38.773-05:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-12494560174406073912013-02-27T11:22:24.814-05:002013-02-27T11:22:24.814-05:00Gillian -those moments are priceless and it sounds...Gillian -those moments are priceless and it sounds as though your children's elementary school had a wonderful philosophy and the resources to support it. I think the point you make about our children understanding that ALL children are part of our community is very important., When they see them on the street, in the playground at shul or the grocery store it should be as natural for them to say hi as they would to anyone else they know. We have a lot of work to do to make this a universal message....<br />Thanks very much for commenting.<br />GillyGilly Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-47665442305507042682013-02-27T11:17:08.531-05:002013-02-27T11:17:08.531-05:00Thanks Jo.
You make such an important point. Sayi...Thanks Jo. <br />You make such an important point. Saying hello, teaching our children how to respond appropriately and inclusively and reaching out to families costs thought and kindness, nothing else. Being mindful about these things makes all the difference and helps families and their children feel less isolated and brings a huge amount of happiness through small changes in our behaviour.<br /> We really have no excuse!<br />GillyxGilly Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-72219660302903886692013-02-27T09:13:51.402-05:002013-02-27T09:13:51.402-05:00It really is so important to get our kids to see c...It really is so important to get our kids to see children who are different in some way as part of their community and not apart from it. Three of mine went to an integrated elementary school with around 4-5 kids with special needs in each class. These kids were an integral part of the class joining in with whatever they were capable of (with help from the other kids where needed). I remember the pleasure it gave my daughter to help one girl write her bat mitzva drasha (far more pleasure than writing her own!) At various end-of-year events, all the children had roles to play. When you see a group of twelve year old girls cheering on their class mate with Down's while she sings enthusiastically, or 10 year-old boys cheering on their classmate with autism as he played on the darbuka, you know that something is being done right.<br />Gillianhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12355742999115754680noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-6275723615258514332013-02-27T02:11:28.151-05:002013-02-27T02:11:28.151-05:00A very touching story . A perfect lesson that I ne...A very touching story . A perfect lesson that I needed to read today. Because a situation appears so enormous don't let that stop you offering what seems like a very small amount of help. Rachel and Josh's lives have changed hugely because of very tiny acts of kindness that cost nothing. Jo bloggshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07566031997535296894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-88493802870637667502013-02-26T18:11:18.274-05:002013-02-26T18:11:18.274-05:00You sum it up perfectly Rachel- When Nancy deliver...You sum it up perfectly Rachel- When Nancy delivered this in shul, everyone was so moved by her account and moved to act to make the community a kinder more welcoming, more inclusive place for every adult and child. Thanks for commenting. GillyxxGilly Cannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18393339396656670745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3363712305146749297.post-11199517904620454022013-02-26T16:49:33.151-05:002013-02-26T16:49:33.151-05:00Heartbreaking and heartwarming - you seem to have ...Heartbreaking and heartwarming - you seem to have a great community. Rachel Selbyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13113411205306116614noreply@blogger.com