Kathryn Pilgrim

The story of Out of My Mind describing a preteen with cerebral palsy’s struggle to communicate her thoughts and feelings without verbal language is a story I relate to as a Special Education Teacher. Lately I’ve been noticing the difference of students’ ability to read, write, or speak in order to communicate what’s going on in their brains. Pairing that with foster children who have trauma that impacts their ability to choose words I see the frustration that is often displayed as behaviors. I’ve learned recently how behavior is communication and that is clearly seen in this movie. When she doesn’t have words to say what she needs to, she uses the skills she has. However the message isn’t always received. She relies on others, like her parents and researched to unlock the meaning for others. She uses her strengths of listening to gain valuable information and continues to learn despite not being challenged in her self-contained Special Education classroom. When she is finally able to spend some time in an inclusive classroom, she can continue to grow. She, like most students, deserves time with her regular peers. It’s my job as a teacher to help my students express what they know and continue to build on their knowledge. The barriers that exist in the world due to their disability are things that I need to help them find ways to work around and to use my voice and privileges to speak up for. Sadly the barriers she experienced then are still happening today. From elevators being out of service without directions on how to get around it, to teachers and principals who don’t want to or know how to work with student strengths while accommodating their differences, to other children who need to be taught better ways to share a world with those different from themselves, these problems exist. Thankfully tools like her augmentative technology exist, if we just know about them. Creative solutions for nonverbal kindergarteners to show if they can do addition problems, without speaking, exist. Flat paths and extra long remote controls for middle schoolers in wheelchairs exist so they can battle their designs at lego camp. Reader pens help high schoolers learn content without being able to read or write in either of their verbal languages. Yes, some solutions cost money. Others cost time and creative energy. But unlocking the potential of these individuals who have drastically different strengths and weaknesses will only benefit our society. We all learn and grow when we are exposed to others not like ourselves, whether due to abilities or cultural differences. I welcome the challenges at work and in life. I encourage you to take some small steps towards helping everyone reach their potential in this world, by removing barriers and giving them the time and resources they need.