Susan H. Kenney                                                                  10/22/2006

EDUC 800: Ways of Knowing                                            Anastasia P. Samaras, Ph.D.

This is a letter written to a young student with Cerebral Palsy.  It was written after viewing the film My Left Foot which tells the story of Christy Brown who was an artist with cerebral Palsy.  

Dear Claude,

After we watched the autobiographical film about a young man with CP, I'd like to find out more about your perspective.  As you saw in the film, Christy Brown was born in Ireland in the 1930’s.  At that time children who were born with CP were sent away from home to be raised in an institution. Christy’s father did not want his son to be raised in an institution. Although his mother was told that he would never be more than a vegetable she talked with him and taught him things even though it seemed that he couldn’t understand anything.  One time when he was trying to tell her something, she reassured him, “Remember, Christy if we can’t understand you God can!”

As he was growing up his neighbors called him a moron, an unfortunate half wit, and said that he had a mind of a 3 year old.  Even his Dad didn’t think he could know anything and would get angry at his Mom who tried to talk with him the way she did to her other 12 children.  Christy heard all those things and he understood and learned by listening and watching from his place on the floor under the stairs.

As a teenager he paints pictures filled with emotion as a key way to communicate.  Most people still couldn’t understand the noises he made.  Although others don’t realize it, Christy is a real person with real teen age questions, desires, and fears. 

If Christy’s parents had listened to the professionals and let them send Christy away, do you think that Christy would have learned more or less?  How do you think Christy felt when he heard the names people called him?

I remember when you were in 3^rd grade you were very hurt by how students in the Compangia Center made fun of the way you talked and the way you walked. Remember when we created the PowerPoint to teach the other students about people with CP?  Do you think that helped them understand you any better?  Do you think Christy could have been helped if he could have told the other kids how he felt? 

Why do you think that it is so hard for the other children and people to realize that he is a real person?  Did you notice that his brothers and sisters treated him differently?  Why do you think that they knew he was a real person? 

As a teenager with CP, do you think that you may have some similar experiences as Christy?  Since you have been talking since you were little, even though some people don’t understand you, how do you think being able to talk will affect your teen years?  Do you know other kids at school who others tease?  Why do you think they are teased? 

Christy had some very tough times as he was growing up. How will things be different for you here in Virginia in the 21^st century than it was for Christy 70 years earlier? He did become very successful.  What options will you have as you grow? 

I have watched you grow into a fine young man.  With your computer expertise helping your academic knowledge blossom, I feel certain that your goals will be achieved just as Christy’s were. 

Take care,

Ms. Kenney