Stereotypes proven wrong!

I'm now on my fourth week of volunteering at Washington High School program for kids with mental disabilities. And I am still enjoying how much this engages me into doing something useful. I can honestly say that working there has changed my prospective on many subjects that many people, such as myself, automatically assume when a child has a mental disability. I realized that learning is not defined as the capability of knowing as much as possible. It is about knowing how you are able to use what you know and how learning will help you reason and comprehend.

Before I began volunteering, I wrongfully believed that most kids with mental disabilities could not learn much. Now I hit myself in the head because I hear myself say these words and I feel like an ignorant fool. The only difference between their learning and ours is that their learning is solely on acquiring as much independence as they can.

These students learn all of the subjects that we are required to learn meaning Math, English, History, visual or fine arts, and P.E in a different way. Mrs. Deleon and the assistant teachers dedicate themselves to teach them the importance of money, math, writing, and speaking. Even though we might not think so, learning for them takes as much effort and dedication that it takes for us.

Mrs. Deleon was talking about how impressed she was with her students since the beginning that her program started. She noticed that many of the students were basically illiterate, but with dedication in a month, she had them reading and writing.

Just like her experience, my experience working with them has been worth while. Even though drawing or playing basketball with them does not seem like much, I know it means something to them when they say hi to me in the hall or when I see a big smile on their faces when they see me come through the door.