Growing up I experienced ableism. My family is from the south and although I
was born and raised in Michigan, I have a southern accent. Many people make comments and tease me about
the way I say certain things. Sometimes
this bothers me and other times I just ignore them. Growing up I had severe speech impediments,
classmates would say and make fun of me and say I was dumb because I couldn’t
talk properly. As a result, I now find as
a teacher that I am very partial to students who receive speech services. I can understand their fears and the shame
they feel. When dealing with any type of
“ism” you feel isolated. I remember I
would feel angry towards those that would tease and mimic me. I hated going to school and always had severe
stomachaches because of the stress.
I think that this experience has been beneficial to me
though in that I can relate to families with speech impaired children. I can discuss with them that the support they
give the child and the necessary services are all important for helping the
child become successful. I am also
finding that I need to be careful with my bias of children who tease other
students. I have found that I am more
strict with them and have little tolerance for the behavior. I think this also leads me to be unfriendly
to the parents when discussing the issues.
Alisa, great post! I can understand that you feel like you might be more strict with those who pick on others but at the same time, focusing on the fact that it is not right and it hurts a person's feelings, I do not see a bias, and your response (I feel) would be justified, as long as it's not to the extreme. That is aweful that you experienced that, unfortunately that behavior is also alive no matter if it was years ago or currently. I think that also starts with children immitating what they see, possibly at home? Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlisa,
ReplyDeleteIm a Southern gal as well! I can understand your frustration in regard to being mimiced. Do you remember ever having teachers who stood up for you when you were being picked on? For those who did pick on you probably never imagined you being a teacher! What a way to show them up! I know an older man who had a speech impediment as a child and now he speaks better English than most Southerners here! I thought he was a Northerner! Thanks for the post!