"Just Keep Swimming" is from Finding Nemo. In SPED that's our "So it goes." I teach special education and part of the deal is helping these kids understand that it's not fair for anyone-not just them. The thing that is difficult it, they literally, have "Diminished Autonomy " which is the polite way of saying, "Fewer Choices." And there is a real tendency towards despair over an arbitrary set of circumstances thrown upon you by well-fate, the universe, god or whatever-the fact is the thing is thrown upon you. The difficulty in the job isn't changing adult diapers for the non-ambulatory and in-content. It's not the G-tube feeding. Or the kids who hit reflexively. It's convincing each student-according to their individual level of awareness-that there is a purpose and meaning to their struggle even if they can't see it in the moment. I've seen kids who were severely disabled overcome some amazing obstacles and get their bachelors. Usually their in their later 20's when it happens but they get there. And progress doesn't need to be "going to college." I had a student who spent 19 years in a wheel chair. No one believed he could walk. I spent 35 days, 5 hours a day, training him how to walk. First we started with standing practice. Literally just stand for 30 seconds, rest one minute and do it again. After a month of that he could stand. Then we worked on riding a bike to build leg strength and then walking. And by the end he could walk 2/3 of a mile. 35 days, 5 hours a day, 165 hours. That's what it took. Cognitively, he was non-verbal and about the level of an 18 month infant. A lot of folks who aren't disabled fly through college but they don't really learn anything. Some folks go, graduate and find work immediately. There's value to this but the issue is, the lack of initial struggle means on the back end they tend to lack the resilience of character. So when they get "push back" it crushes them. It's the failure and struggle which builds resilience. The most resilient students I've ever had were either (1) disabled or (2) from some background of disadvantage. The issue is when you're coaching these kids, you're trying to keep them on the path. But they don't see it. At least not at first. And when things get tough and they've been spinning their wheels trying to learn something-which takes others less time and less effort-keeping them centered, grounded and focused on the task, IS MY JOB. It's difficult because I also struggle with this aspect of life, it's part of the eternal struggle of the human condition. Which is why the text is so relatable. No matter where you are, keeping your mind on the task at hand, is the line between success and failure. Thanks for the lecture.
