I was going to be a special ed teacher, middle school age. Went
to child psych classes. abnormal psych, etc - back in 1990/91.
Didn't finish school due to $ so I volunteered for a year full
time at the local Cerebral Palsy Center. Marvelous experience -
and I wasn't aware just how rare those centers are. [this was in
Union New Jersey USA - I _think_ it's still there - that was 25
yrs ago]. I wanted to repay them because that's where *I* went
when I was 3-4 years old. I was diagnosed with cerebral palsy.
Whether I really had it or not? Who knows, because I was able to
enter regular public school and nobody knew the difference. So I
had a chance to repay the favor as an adult. I never did become
a special ed teacher - although it's on my bucket list even
still, at 43 yrs old. But knowing there's people doing it out
there - especially men whom many kids don't have in their lives
(I didn't have one) but women as well [I wasn't being sexist -
just pointing it out] - like this doing something makes me feel
better. I help out wherever I can, trying to help people help
themselves boost their own confidence levels, whether it's kids,
teenagers adults - it doesn't matter the age. We all need
special assistance at some point in our lives, and we can all
help the world be a better place. I sound like an 80s "Be
Yourself" Commercial but that's 'cause I grew up with that stuff
and yes, I believe it. I believed Mr. Rogers and still do.
