Haha :) I thought that I would share with you all a funny memory tonight.
Sometimes we learn a lot of things from an innocent mistake!!
So in my middle school we had " spirit week", so for that one week during the school year, each day we would come to school dressed as different things ( for example Pj day you were your pjs, rockstar day, you dress up as a rockstar ) During my sixth grade year, one of our spirit week days was " Athlete day", and I had absolutely no idea what to dress as. Sports hurt me, I had no athletes I admired cause I had never followed sports, and in all honesty the only piece of athletic clothing I owned were my brothers old PE Shorts.
I racked my brain the entire weekend, thinking about what athlete I was going to be, I searched my brain to see if there was an athlete I admired. Then on Sunday night when I was about to give up, because I just couldn't think of an athlete I admired, i thought of my uncle who has autism and ran in the special Olympics. All the sudden a light bulb went on and my perfect outfit came to me! I was bursting with excitement when told my mom about my idea, and she absolutely loved it!
That Monday I came to school in a cute top, PE shorts, and fun socks, and as announced to people that I was dressed as a " Special Olympian!" In my mind I thought this was about the greatest outfit ever, These were the kind of people I admired, Even thought these athletes had challenges in there day to day life. They were still able to go out, and do what they love! They gave me hope! But The second our schools Special Education teacher heard what I was dressed as. She took me out into the hall and chewed me out bigtime, She yelled at me and told me that " I was making fun of people with disabilities, and continued to tell me over and over about " how she didn't get how a kind girl like me could do something so cruel!" I didn't understand what I did that was so mean, I truly admired special Olympians for 2 very special reasons. I didn"t tell people about my health issues back then, but I tried to explain to this teacher that I do have an uncle with autism who ran in the special Olympics, and that is why I am dressed this way. She just didn't believe me and got madder!
So mad that she had the called office call my my mom, tell her that I was in big trouble, So that the 3 of us could " talk" in her office! This was the first and only time my mom has ever had to come to the school because I was in trouble.
When my mom came, the special education teacher literally had steam coming out of her ears, and I was crying because I just didn't know what I did that was so wrong.
When are " meeting" started she accusingly asked my mom " Why she would let me come to school dressed as something so " insensitive?"
But Instead of being the " tigress" my mom usually is. My mom just smiled at her, and responded calmly. Magee has a uncle with autism who used to actively participate in the special olympics, she thinks the world of him. Magee also has a lot of physical challenges and has had them her whole life, she basically physically disabled. So I thought that having her dress as a " special Olympian" and celebrating being different was a great thing! I'm sorry if you don't feel the same.
The poor Special education teachers jaw hit the ground as her cheeks burnt bright red Her eyes widened as she tenderly grabbed my hand and said " Magee I am SO SORRY! I had absolutely no idea!!!!!! "
I wiped away my tears, told her I forgave her and gave her a hug. I understood that there was no possible way she could have known why I would choose this outfit , when I don't share about my physical struggles.
She then asked me if I was getting the help I need at school. And in all honesty because of this situation
This amazing women who I've learned has the worlds biggest heart, ended up being one of my biggest advocates through out the rest of my grade school years. She helped me get all of the accommodations I needed, like being able to peer tutor in her class instead of taking a PE class. No matter what the situation was. She was always there to fight for me. She is honestly one of the reasons why I want to work with kids with medical challenges. To this day she still holds a very special place in my heart.
Through that honest mistake I most defiantly could have made an enemy.
But lucky enough, I have a great mom who help me make a friend. A lot of life long grudges come from misunderstandings. Take the time to see the conflicts in your life from 2 sides, talk things out, And always smile on :)
Sometimes we learn a lot of things from an innocent mistake!!
So in my middle school we had " spirit week", so for that one week during the school year, each day we would come to school dressed as different things ( for example Pj day you were your pjs, rockstar day, you dress up as a rockstar ) During my sixth grade year, one of our spirit week days was " Athlete day", and I had absolutely no idea what to dress as. Sports hurt me, I had no athletes I admired cause I had never followed sports, and in all honesty the only piece of athletic clothing I owned were my brothers old PE Shorts.
I racked my brain the entire weekend, thinking about what athlete I was going to be, I searched my brain to see if there was an athlete I admired. Then on Sunday night when I was about to give up, because I just couldn't think of an athlete I admired, i thought of my uncle who has autism and ran in the special Olympics. All the sudden a light bulb went on and my perfect outfit came to me! I was bursting with excitement when told my mom about my idea, and she absolutely loved it!
That Monday I came to school in a cute top, PE shorts, and fun socks, and as announced to people that I was dressed as a " Special Olympian!" In my mind I thought this was about the greatest outfit ever, These were the kind of people I admired, Even thought these athletes had challenges in there day to day life. They were still able to go out, and do what they love! They gave me hope! But The second our schools Special Education teacher heard what I was dressed as. She took me out into the hall and chewed me out bigtime, She yelled at me and told me that " I was making fun of people with disabilities, and continued to tell me over and over about " how she didn't get how a kind girl like me could do something so cruel!" I didn't understand what I did that was so mean, I truly admired special Olympians for 2 very special reasons. I didn"t tell people about my health issues back then, but I tried to explain to this teacher that I do have an uncle with autism who ran in the special Olympics, and that is why I am dressed this way. She just didn't believe me and got madder!
So mad that she had the called office call my my mom, tell her that I was in big trouble, So that the 3 of us could " talk" in her office! This was the first and only time my mom has ever had to come to the school because I was in trouble.
When my mom came, the special education teacher literally had steam coming out of her ears, and I was crying because I just didn't know what I did that was so wrong.
When are " meeting" started she accusingly asked my mom " Why she would let me come to school dressed as something so " insensitive?"
But Instead of being the " tigress" my mom usually is. My mom just smiled at her, and responded calmly. Magee has a uncle with autism who used to actively participate in the special olympics, she thinks the world of him. Magee also has a lot of physical challenges and has had them her whole life, she basically physically disabled. So I thought that having her dress as a " special Olympian" and celebrating being different was a great thing! I'm sorry if you don't feel the same.
The poor Special education teachers jaw hit the ground as her cheeks burnt bright red Her eyes widened as she tenderly grabbed my hand and said " Magee I am SO SORRY! I had absolutely no idea!!!!!! "
I wiped away my tears, told her I forgave her and gave her a hug. I understood that there was no possible way she could have known why I would choose this outfit , when I don't share about my physical struggles.
She then asked me if I was getting the help I need at school. And in all honesty because of this situation
This amazing women who I've learned has the worlds biggest heart, ended up being one of my biggest advocates through out the rest of my grade school years. She helped me get all of the accommodations I needed, like being able to peer tutor in her class instead of taking a PE class. No matter what the situation was. She was always there to fight for me. She is honestly one of the reasons why I want to work with kids with medical challenges. To this day she still holds a very special place in my heart.
Through that honest mistake I most defiantly could have made an enemy.
But lucky enough, I have a great mom who help me make a friend. A lot of life long grudges come from misunderstandings. Take the time to see the conflicts in your life from 2 sides, talk things out, And always smile on :)
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