Like I say every year, I cannot believe how fast summer has gone by. Summer goes way too fast, in my opinion, and I’m a mom of two. Back to school time always has me reflect on my own school days. Having cerebral palsy and going through the school system is quite an experience. For some, the school experience can be very awesome but for others, it can be quite lonely. My personal experience was a combination of wonderful and loneliness.
I can’t help but feel a bit envious when looking at all of the technology available now to students who have cerebral palsy. The Amazon Kindle, for example, would have made my English classes so much more enjoyable. Even though I am a fast reader, holding a paperback book was downright impossible. I’d have to rely on others to turn my pages and feel bad for needing to bother them. At home, I’d be in uncomfortable positions just to read a book. I had a device named the page turner. In theory, it was a great idea since it was supposed to turn your page. Unfortunately, it didn’t work well and often would get the pages stuck and frustrate me even more. So, please if you or your students have cerebral palsy, invest in a Kindle or an ereader soon as possible.
My family was fortunate enough to have a computer. One of my best gifts in the whole wide world was a Brother typewriter that gave me freedom to write my own thoughts without needing to say things aloud. Now I have an iPad, and it has literally changed my life for the better. Writing is easier especially with the built in predictive text. Predictive text has made my life so much easier as I writer. Simply because it makes my typing speed go even faster.
I remember I had a laptop for school. There was a program that you plugged in and turned into word prediction but now everything is built into the system. Word prediction can help your students in so many ways. The speed alone is wonderful but also your student (or yourself) will not be exhausted from typing some few paragraphs.
The sleek design of the iPad and tablets are terrific. I remember well being in high school with a big bulky tray, laptop holder, and a laptop with screen up that covered me up. I doubt the teacher and other students could even see me very well. I type on my iPad while on the floor because I have the best control over my hands. However, I know a key guard exists for the iPad which would prevent someone from hitting all the keys at once. I would highly recommend using a key guard if you or your student has dexterity issues.
I think nowadays students and teachers are more open in children with disabilities. In school, I didn’t have any real friends in my opinion except my aide. I wasn’t invited to parties, dances or events. I was seen as the inspiration student instead of just a teenage girl. My saving grace was that I had a boyfriend that went to a different high school than me. I also had friends from my camp and a group of girls who used wheelchairs that danced. I’m hoping that social interactions are better now.
Originally published by cerebral palsy news today by Jessica Grono
