What Michael taught me

I met Michael when I was working at the House. He has severe mental retardation, non-verbal, and has few self-care skills. The curriculum at the House has few things to offer Michael. Michael was relatively problem-free since he was contented just watching others, and because of that he really doesn’t do much at the House.

I think of all the students that have crossed my path, Michael is probably the one who has taught me the most about respect and love for an individual with disability. The House then was using aversives to “teach” the students and after being there for some time, that got to me. One time when I was with Michael helping him put on his shoes, he was slow as usual, and I don’t know what came over me but I gave him a light slap on his face and he was shocked by that. At that time, I justified the act that the students need some stimulus to “awaken” them. But I knew what I did was wrong and that act still haunts me. Noone deserves to be treated that way, I would never do that to my nieces or nephews, I would not even do that to a cat or a dog, so why did I think I could do that to Michael?

That’s not the only lesson that Michael taught me. The teachers would take the students out to the community for lunch once a week. And there I was taking care of Michael and another student at a food court. Michael just had his lunch and he was quite a mess. All of a sudden a very smiley man came over with two of his friends and I was perplexed seeing this man approaching my table. Then he carried Michael in his arms and declared proudly to his friends,”This is my son!” and then he affectionately embraced his messy son. I realized then if an earthly father could love his disabled son with all his “imperfections” so very much, our Heavenly Father loves Michael and all my students with disabilities even more. And that has been my guide towards being a better special education teacher, and more importantly, a better person.

So that’s what Michael taught me.