Jonathan's Story
Viewing comments for Chapter 10 "School Stuff"Our fostering journey with a severely disabled boy
31 total reviews
Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell
I hate people who think they know it all, but don't. Having a degree doesn't take in the emotional impact of the disabled person they think they know about. I hope he didn't become a pain in the butt!! Jonathan was doing fine, and didn't need that man in his life. I'm so glad he had a foster family who loved him enough to stand up for him. :)) Sandra xx
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
  |
I hate people who think they know it all, but don't. Having a degree doesn't take in the emotional impact of the disabled person they think they know about. I hope he didn't become a pain in the butt!! Jonathan was doing fine, and didn't need that man in his life. I'm so glad he had a foster family who loved him enough to stand up for him. :)) Sandra xx
Comment Written 11-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 11-Feb-2024
-
You are exactly right - but that doctor's viewpoint was not an isolated one, as I found out. Thank you very much, again, for your ongoing interest and reviews. (Another story out now.)
Wendy
Comment from Alexandra Trovato
I taught children and teens for thirty years in various settings. I can relate to your story and I understand the emotional toll that you mention, too. Once, I had a class of medically fragile teenagers. One girl was basically brain dead when she drown in a pool as a baby. She was the same age as my 12 year old when I taught her. I had to brush her arms just to gave her sensory feelings and that made her smile. I could not stay past the one year and I had to work at another placement because I felt guilty that my child was healthy and her age and I felt sad for their severe disabilities, every day. I took a class of kids with learning disabilities next and did well with them. I can relate.
Blessings,
Alex
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
I taught children and teens for thirty years in various settings. I can relate to your story and I understand the emotional toll that you mention, too. Once, I had a class of medically fragile teenagers. One girl was basically brain dead when she drown in a pool as a baby. She was the same age as my 12 year old when I taught her. I had to brush her arms just to gave her sensory feelings and that made her smile. I could not stay past the one year and I had to work at another placement because I felt guilty that my child was healthy and her age and I felt sad for their severe disabilities, every day. I took a class of kids with learning disabilities next and did well with them. I can relate.
Blessings,
Alex
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Yes, we did that too at the school. Trying always to stimulate the senses, and to find ways for them to communicate as well. It's not easy. Thank you for understanding and for caring. A lovely review, thanks so much.
Wendy
Comment from Spitfire
You do a great job of exposing the ignorance of parents and doctors when it comes to treating those with disabilities.
My sister agreed to tendonitis surgery for her crippled son and made him endure that brace for months. It made things worse! So much for doctors! You endured a lot what with back pain from lifting and the stress of teaching as well as caring for your family. Thanks again for sharing all this with us.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
 |
You do a great job of exposing the ignorance of parents and doctors when it comes to treating those with disabilities.
My sister agreed to tendonitis surgery for her crippled son and made him endure that brace for months. It made things worse! So much for doctors! You endured a lot what with back pain from lifting and the stress of teaching as well as caring for your family. Thanks again for sharing all this with us.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Oh, that brace was so cruel - but some people refuse to believe that disabled people feel pain. Your sister has experienced the same things as I have, so I feel for her. Many thanks for a caring and supportive review, and also for the much-vaalued six stars.
Wendy
Comment from Annmuma
This story continues to intrigue and infuriate me! It is so hard to believe that adults could treat these children as nothing. Of course, I've seen kids ostracized for various minor reasons, a little slower in learning new things, not as athletically inclined, and so forth, your Jonathan's story is eye-opening. ann
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
This story continues to intrigue and infuriate me! It is so hard to believe that adults could treat these children as nothing. Of course, I've seen kids ostracized for various minor reasons, a little slower in learning new things, not as athletically inclined, and so forth, your Jonathan's story is eye-opening. ann
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Thank you Ann. A super review - very supportive. Yes, I too learned a lot. Some extraordinary things pertaining to the world of disabilities!
Wendy
Comment from Verna Cole Mitchell
This is very well written. I could not imagine two years of teaching children with such severe health problems, only to go home and be care giver to one severely disabled. The key was your desire to help all of them to be as normal and as cared for as possible. Kudos to you!
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
This is very well written. I could not imagine two years of teaching children with such severe health problems, only to go home and be care giver to one severely disabled. The key was your desire to help all of them to be as normal and as cared for as possible. Kudos to you!
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Yes, that was it exactly. Just to make a difference for a few. Thanks so much for your very kind review.
Wendy
Comment from BethShelby
I think it would have been terrible for Jonathan to have a feeding tube. I'm afraid few of these children have someone like you to stand up against doctors who only think of convenience rather than the need of the patient. The romance was really interesting. I am enjoying Jonathan's story.
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
I think it would have been terrible for Jonathan to have a feeding tube. I'm afraid few of these children have someone like you to stand up against doctors who only think of convenience rather than the need of the patient. The romance was really interesting. I am enjoying Jonathan's story.
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Thank you Beth. I very much appreciate your caring reviews.
Wendy
Comment from Rachelle Allen
I swear, I could use every last one of my six stars each week for this book! It is just so HEART-WARMING!! The teacher in me loves the teacher in you who sees Jonathan for who he "really" is (i.e. sans 'disabilities'...which, ps, more and more I notice less and less! Thank you for that.) and for showing him such consistent love and genuine tenderness every day of his life. Ditto for the students at your school. You are such a wealthy woman, Wendy, in the ways that MATTER. You have children who have bestowed their ultimate gifts upon you, and you treasure them all.
I think back to your comment yesterday about how, if we met, I'd think you were plain and ordinary. People think thank about geodes, too, don't they...until they take the time to peek inside. You do that with everyone you meet; you ALWAYS discover their inside treasures.
You are remarkable, and you are sharing this story in SUCH a gorgeous way. When this is published, I will buy as many copies as I have teacher-friends, and that's a LOT, because I know they would LOVE this treasure of a book.
xoxoxoxo
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
I swear, I could use every last one of my six stars each week for this book! It is just so HEART-WARMING!! The teacher in me loves the teacher in you who sees Jonathan for who he "really" is (i.e. sans 'disabilities'...which, ps, more and more I notice less and less! Thank you for that.) and for showing him such consistent love and genuine tenderness every day of his life. Ditto for the students at your school. You are such a wealthy woman, Wendy, in the ways that MATTER. You have children who have bestowed their ultimate gifts upon you, and you treasure them all.
I think back to your comment yesterday about how, if we met, I'd think you were plain and ordinary. People think thank about geodes, too, don't they...until they take the time to peek inside. You do that with everyone you meet; you ALWAYS discover their inside treasures.
You are remarkable, and you are sharing this story in SUCH a gorgeous way. When this is published, I will buy as many copies as I have teacher-friends, and that's a LOT, because I know they would LOVE this treasure of a book.
xoxoxoxo
Comment Written 08-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Your beautiful words brought moisture to my eyes (I rarely cry!!) and your faith in my writing is more precious than I can say. Thank you so much for a lovely and encouraging review.
My first book (of teaching stories) you would probably enjoy. It's very small and thin (my husband's only comment was that I should have included MUCH more) and is now available (as of last Friday) on Amazon (or Booktopia) under "Telling Tales-Out of School" by Wendy Smith-Gordon. I am not good at self-promoting so only a few people know about it. I learnt a lot about publishing dos and dont's through this first one, so I hope that experience will serve me better for Jonathan's Story. But being a teacher, you will relate to my attitudes and experiences.
Wendy
Comment from kahpot
It is so inspiring to read these stories, and so informational for someone who does not deal with these situations, I loved reading about Kate, and how you could tell of Jonathon's interest and excitement (when the phone rang) an excellent read, very well written****kahpot
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
It is so inspiring to read these stories, and so informational for someone who does not deal with these situations, I loved reading about Kate, and how you could tell of Jonathon's interest and excitement (when the phone rang) an excellent read, very well written****kahpot
Comment Written 07-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Thank you so much for this beautiful review. I am so glad you are continuing to enjoy these stories.
Wendy
Comment from T B Botts
Hello Wendy,
I can't begin to fathom the amount of patience and love that you had to be able to deal with the overwhelming issues of special needs children on a daily basis. Obviously, you are one of the rare few who have been blessed with such gifts. I'm furious that the experts had so little compassion. Perhaps because they had to maintain some degree of professionalism they were unable to let the human part of their jobs take over. I really don't know. No one can fault you for wanting to return to secondary school. You've gone above and beyond what anyone could ask of you. I wish I shared the same spirit of compassion that you posses gal. Thanks for being such a good example.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
|
Hello Wendy,
I can't begin to fathom the amount of patience and love that you had to be able to deal with the overwhelming issues of special needs children on a daily basis. Obviously, you are one of the rare few who have been blessed with such gifts. I'm furious that the experts had so little compassion. Perhaps because they had to maintain some degree of professionalism they were unable to let the human part of their jobs take over. I really don't know. No one can fault you for wanting to return to secondary school. You've gone above and beyond what anyone could ask of you. I wish I shared the same spirit of compassion that you posses gal. Thanks for being such a good example.
Have a blessed day.
Tom
Comment Written 07-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 08-Feb-2024
-
Thank you so very much for this lovely review, and for the six beautiful stars. I'm honoured. I just tried to see and care for the person within for each of them.
Wendy
Comment from Paul McFarland
I am saddened by the neglect that many of these children experienced. We have a similar problem here in the state of Maine. We do not have a very large population, but there are several children who die each year from neglect.
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2024
|
I am saddened by the neglect that many of these children experienced. We have a similar problem here in the state of Maine. We do not have a very large population, but there are several children who die each year from neglect.
Comment Written 07-Feb-2024
reply by the author on 07-Feb-2024
-
Very sad situation for each one. Thank you for reviewing this story, and for your compassion and care for these kids.
Wendy