Sunday, September 15, 2013

Man Walks Tortoise and More About Myself

Hello everyone!  A very warm welcome to you all!  The video I have chosen for this post is a short, two minute clip of a man who walks his tortoise through the streets of New York. Enjoy!  :)

I shared some things about myself in a post last Monday.  For those of you who may not have seen this post, I am providing the link, as this post will make more sense to you if you have seen that post first.  Monday's Post

I mentioned in that post that I was put in a special class for slow learners when I was in grade 2.  I was in such a class right up until grade 9 in high school until I fought and worked hard to get myself back into the regular classes!  It wasn't easy, but I am very grateful that I did it.  

Some have asked me if I am angry or bitter for having been put in such a class.  Well, I am not at all!  See, it helped me to be more sensitive to others who are disabled and who have mental illness.  Being in a special class does not classify one as having a mental illness, but one who has difficulty learning or one who learns at a slower or different capacity than the average individual.  I am just a deep thinker and one who likes to take my time to make important decisions that will affect my present and future, and I am pretty certain that the teacher who put me in the special class just didn't understand me as an individual and my way of thinking and doing things.  When I do a job I am very thorough, so a job well done is more important to me than how quickly it is done!

I used to teach a Sunday school class about 28 years ago, and I taught the 4, 5 and 6 year olds.  They are a great age to teach, as they are curious and avid learners.  On one particular day I was going to have an autistic boy in my class. He was 9, but his learning level was younger.  I had heard that this boy would go into a fetal position under the table in other classes, and I will admit that I was a little uncomfortable with having him in my class as I wasn't sure I was able to teach him.  Nonetheless, I said a prayer for him before the class and for myself, too, that I would be able to reach out to him and gain his confidence.  I was very (and happily) surprised that not only did this boy NOT go into a fetal position, but he sat in the class and listened intently to everything I was saying, and he even asked questions!!!  It touched me deeply that I was able to reach him and I really feel that having been in a special class myself made me able to understand his fears, etc., and thus he realized this and knew that I would not judge him;  I was just there to help him.  After this class, his mother was so happy with his progress that she asked me if I would take him into my class every Sunday...I did just that.  After several months this autistic boy was able to help me in my class, and gladly did so!  He and I formed a great bond and I will always cherish the opportunity I had to get to know such a wonderful person.

The photos I am sharing today are ones that I took on a recent walk.  You just need to click on the images to see a larger view.




Thank you all so much for visiting me here!  I always appreciate and enjoy reading your kind thoughts, which you are always welcome to share by clicking on the 'comments' link at the end of my post.

28 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:13 PM

    I love this post !
    Thanks Linda !!!
    Have a good day :)

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  2. thanks for sharing about your experiences of learning and teaching. sometimes we forget how crucial those formative years of schooling can be, and how they can shape the rest of our lives. i'm glad that you and your student had such a special experience, and it sounds like you were a wonderful teacher =)

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  3. The video was fun and the photos beautiful, but the biggest treat was getting to know you better. May God bless you for your compassion for the autistic boy. There's no doubt that you made a difference in his life.

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  4. Oh that video was funny - it is amazing what you are likely to see on NY streets. I think a lot of children with special needs just need that little bit of exta time that everyone seems unwilling to give these days. So glad that you were able to create that special bond.

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  5. I think learning about the experiences of other people - friends and acquaintances - on the Internet is a wonderful way of enhancing one's understanding of the world about us. Thanks Linda.

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  6. What a lucky boy he was to get a teacher like you, Linda! I'm sure you touched his life in so many positive ways. I agree that hardships that we go through can help us be more understanding of others having obstacles.

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  7. not the safest place even with his shell

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  8. Beautiful photos!
    Greetings, RW & SK

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  9. I believe that most things happen for a reason. And I think that all of your stress with being in these classes for so long...the outcome of that was you being able to help this boy and make such a big change in his life!!! I have read that one reason we have to suffer is that then we can know what it is like and have real sympathy for others. And you were able to use your experiences to make a breakthrough with him, because you KNEW what it was like when no one else could understand!

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  10. Everyone has a 'story' and I admire you and your courage and the way your attitude and faith has shaped your life.

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  11. they were bumping kids when I was in primary, in Gr 2 1956,I was chosen but my Mother said No, later it'd turn out that several of those bumped failed in Grade 8 (a turning point of some sort)with other difficulties. A few years 1959 later this same school and system deemed some of my classmates as 'slow learners' and held them back, they were brilliant kids, all have done very well since and went on to prove the system wrong, like you did, it can't be the same today can it. Your story with the Autistic boy is heart warming, like you were there for a reason. :-).

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  12. What a nice story to share Linda . Thank you . I always enjoy learning more about everyone, brings us all a bit closer.

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  13. How wonderful of you to take him into your class Linda. Quite an inspiring story :) Have a wonderful Monday.

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  14. Everything we have ever done in life affects our present, as your stories show us.

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  15. Thanks for this video. That was great!

    Mersad
    Mersad Donko Photography

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  16. Lovely photos. One day maybe our connection will be fast enough to watch the videos! Have a good day, Diane

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  17. I'm touched as well, Linda...
    Lie(f)s.

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  18. Great video Linda.
    It's also good that your letting your readers know what kind of a person you are. I know some internet bloggers aren't what the seem to be, but you can tell from someone's words whether they are genuine.

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  19. Dear Linda - this was such a beautiful story you shared about yourself as well as the young boy. I have come to believe that God allows us certain struggles in life so we can reach out and help others who are struggling perhaps with the same issues. I am sure he felt your genuine love and compassion for him. On a lighter note - the man walking his tortoise is over the top cute. I am just surprised he didn't have him on a lead. Take care and have a wonderful day.

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  20. Thank you for sharing this very special part of your life Linda, very touching and heart-warming. Years ago I think children were often put into unfair categories by their teachers, but hopefully we are all better educated about such things, especially our teachers. I was a deep thinker too, still am :) The story about the little boy in your class was very uplifting. I enjoyed the video also.

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  21. What a lovely story. : ) God knew just what He was doing. : )

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  22. Linda, You did not become a victim...and God uses your circumstances to reach others. I learned long ago to forgive those who were not able to give me what i needed. But God blessed me and uses me also. be proud that you helped that young boy...you may never know how blessed he was with your acceptance and understanding. I love speed bump♥

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  23. Hi Linda,

    This post is so true, thank you for sharing and bless you for being the Lord's channel. You are right, we can empathise most with people who are going thorough something we have been through or are maybe still dealing with.

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  24. I love your testimony about that boy in your Sunday school class! Yesterday we ran across an enormous turtle. It was tagged by scientists....we put him in a wheel barrow and put him near a large pond so he wouldn't get hit by a car...such amazing creatures!

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  25. Hi Linda thank you so much for sharing your teaching experience . How very rewarding , lovely story.
    The flowers are so very pretty..and I loved the Video :)
    Take Care x

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  26. What a wonderful person you are, Linda, to have seen into that ittle boy's fears and allayed them with your kindness and understanding. It takes a special person to take the time with people that they need. Frankly, I think learning things at a slower pace is by far the best way... we are so hurried and rushed and pushed through the line so quickly in life. Taking one's time makes more sense to me. What a shame we all weren't placed in a classroom where a teacher let us take more time. It would have been a far more valuable lesson. Take good care.

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