My Educational Journey

I never thought at this stage in my life I would be writing another college paper. I grew up with a learning disability; I knew going to college would be a challenge for me. With determination and self confidence I enrolled in a community college and acquired my associate’s degree in Criminal Justice. Eight years later, I am now pursuing the passion I have for Special Education with obtaining my bachelor’s degree in Child Development. My sister and I were born premature babies. We were born three months premature. I only weighted 2.5lbs and my sister weighed 1.4lbs. The doctors gave us little to no chance of surviving. I was told by my parents, that our minister from the church came in to baptize us shortly after we were born; we both were in incubators for almost two months before allowing my parents to hold us. Both my parents said the first time they held us; we fit into the palm of their hand. My parents knew that we would face certain complications throughout our lives, they just did not know what until the doctor told them of the challenges we would be trying to overcome as we grew older. According to the article I found on Discover Health (American Baby. “Long term Preemie Issues” 23, May 2005. http//health.howstuffworks.com) preemie babies are more prone to develop learning problems, such as difficulty reading, writing, following directions, and difficult with memory and concentration. Both my sister and I were placed into learning disabilities classes at a young age. Physical problems can occur as well. My sister had Amblyopia which is considered a lazy eye due to unequal vision. When she was two years old, she had to wear a patch over her right eye. When she grew a little older the doctors operated on her eye to correct the problem. Till this day she wears glasses and has problems with her vision. Behavioral problems can be a cause in preemies as well. One may have many temper tantrums, refusing to comply with others. Not being able to sit still for periods at a time, excessive loudness, or extreme shyness. My sister and I had the case of the shyness. She had it worse than me. It was to the point at times that she would not even go outside to play with others if she didn’t know at least one person. I on the other hand was not as bad. I had friends growing up, and they helped me to get ‘out of my shell’. When entering Kindergarten there was two classes, I was in one and my sister was in the other. We did do certain activities together as a class, which I liked because I got to see my sister. Half way through the school year is when we found out my sister had a learning disability. The school wanted to place her in a Developmental Handicap class. Which I never understood why, because she is not physically handicapped. The school we attended did not have this program, so she was forced to attend another school. At the ending of the new school she went to, the teachers along with my parents thought it would be best that she not continue on to the first grade, and to repeat kindergarten all over again. This is when I realized I would not see my sister at the same school until she went to the Jr. High School. At that time, she would enter the seventh grade and I would be going into the eight grade. I was so heartbroken that my twin would not be completing school along side me, and the fact that we would not be graduating High School at the same time. Since she was being held back another year. I believe shortly after all this took place, our “twin bond” started to fade. I as well had to come to terms that I would be entering Special Education classes. I will never forget the day I found out. I was midway through the sixth grade and, my teacher asked to speak with me outside the classroom. She then proceeded to tell me that the following day I would have all special education classes except for art and music in which I would be participating with my “normal” class. At that moment, I didn’t know what to think or feel. I was in a state of shock considering the teacher had told me first and not my parents. It took me several weeks to adjust in the learning disabilities program (L.D.) I eventually knew I needed that extra help with school. According to Vygotsky (Witt, G.A.,& Mossler, R, A. (2010) scaffolding which is the meaning of giving help but not more than is needed is exactly what I needed. I could understand the material it was just the matter of comprehending it into my way of thinking and solving problems. The last thing on my mind was attending college. I knew it was going to be a challenge for me but I had my heart and mind determined on getting my associates degree in Criminal Justice. December of 2002 I accomplished the goal and received my associate’s degree. Entering the working world; my second job was working with the MRDD (Mental Retardation Developmentally Disabled) adults. I absolutely loved that job. I am thankful for the opportunity I had working with so many inspiring individuals. Between working with the MRDD and having struggled with my learning disability, that is where my passion for special education comes from. The teachers I had through elementary, Jr, High and High School made a world of difference to me. They opened up my eyes into a whole world of education to which I was able to comprehend. My fears I had back then of always being the “stupid” one have been washed away knowing that I could overcome my learning disability with some guidance, self confidence, and determination.

References

Witt, G.A., & Mossler.R.A. (2010) Adult Development and Life Assessment. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/AUPSY202.10.1
American Baby. “Long-term Preemie Issues” 23 May 2005. HowstuffWorks.com < http: health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy and parenting/baby-health/special-needs/long term preemie issues.htm>.

References: Witt, G.A., & Mossler.R.A. (2010) Adult Development and Life Assessment. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/AUPSY202.10.1 American Baby. “Long-term Preemie Issues” 23 May 2005. HowstuffWorks.com < http: health.howstuffworks.com/pregnancy and parenting/baby-health/special-needs/long term preemie issues.htm>.