"Lost in a Sea of Ink"

Roseanne Slater

Think piece 8

            As I started to read the article, Lost in a sea of ink: How I survived the storm, by Andrew D. Sheehan and Cynthia M.  Sheehan, I was immediately drawn to Andrew’s story and the journey he and his mother (Cynthia Sheehan) traveled. Andrew  was diagnosed with a writing disability, ADHD, hearing loss, and profound learning disabilities.   The section in which a teacher commented on Andrews work left me feeling angry and sorry for this young boy, who was completely misunderstood. The teacher wrote:

            Unacceptable work, Andrew! Andrew was sent to

            the office to do his work. Of course it was done

            poorly, but I wanted to make an "impression" on

            him about doing his work. I must say, I have become

            quite frustrated about his performance in school. N.E.

            (teachers initials) This paper represents  a full day’s work.

            He also managed to squeeze in  math paper.  (pg. 21)

            I believe this comment should leave every teacher cringing in their seats.

Sadly, Andrew was thrown into a system that did not understand his needs, and where Andrews attempts to be successful were deemed “unacceptable”. My heart broke as I read his story, as it related to some of my own experiences in education. The school psychologist even told Cynthia that “Andrew was not disabled and that if we would just leave him alone he would be OK” ( pg 21-22) Once again this story sounds familiar to my own. I do not understand, and maybe I will never understand why is it that people who have the ability to make a difference in a child’s life (or anyone’s life) choose not to? Why don’t they do their jobs, educate? Why don’t they stand up for those who need to be spoken for? What stops them? I know the feeling of overcoming a disability, and it is the most life changing feeling a student can have. It is a feeling that will leave them fighting and wanting more, it allows them to succeed!

            Andrew was also a very gifted student in that he could write a great paper, but had difficulty with a simple sentence; he has high vocabulary, was gifted in science but often couldn’t remember his homework, or seem disorganized. It appeared that Andrew was maybe just lazy? For those teachers who do not take the time to understand a student, or study a disability it would appear that Andrew is indeed lazy, and has no disability. It is extremely important; let me say that again, it is extremely important that teachers are educated in the field of special education, or at least have the desire to educate themselves on disabilities.

            Andrew’s mother spoke of two teachers who made the difference in Andrew’s experience in a public education. Sometimes it only takes a few teachers to make a difference in a student’s life. From my own experience I can recall the few the teachers who made the world of difference in my life. Those few teachers gave me the necessary tools to succeed in school and in finding what works for me. I was able to take my knowledge and experience into other classrooms that did not consider my needs. They gave me the tools to become a self advocate thus allowing me to walk into any classroom. Sometimes it takes just one.