Carlys High School Meeting
This is Carly’s Dad, Carly wants to go to a public high school. we finally had a meeting with a fantastic principal today.
This is what Carly had to say in the meeting.
CARLY: It’s funny because I feel the schools are using labels to hold people back. I am autistic but does that mean I can’t be a part of the same education that someone who is not autistic gets. If Albert Einstein was around in this century, fifty out of a hundred doctors say he would be diagnosed with learning disabilities and A.D.D. The other fifty say he would have been on the autism spectrum. When Albert went to school he was in a one classroom school house and was given a chance to learn. His teacher was quoted saying that Albert did not pay attention to any of the lessons that she taught him. She went on to say that he had to wear the dunce hat more times than she put logs in the fireplace. Yet she still gave him an education that led us to E=mc2. What if he was born in today’s time and put in a segregated school? Would we know what E=mc2 means? Stephen Hawkings was seven years old when he lost all oral ability in his mouth. He made lots of sounds but could not talk. Thanks to some amazing teachers that saw the potential in him, Stephen stayed in a mainstream class and is now one of the smartest men in the world with a P.H.D in science and many papers on black hole phenomenons. But what if the teachers did not let him stay in school? Do you think he really would have met his potential? I am not saying I am going to come up with the next e=mc2 or write a dissertation on black holes but I would like the one thing these two individuals and many more like them had and that is a chance. School is about teaching young minds knowledge and I have proven with my IQ test that I take in all the information that is given to me. So please help me fill my head with knowledge. I am eager to learn and eager to put my own stamp on the world. Please help me do so. Thank you for listening to me.
Hooray for you! Any school would be fortunate to have you there. Best wishes for your academic future!
Hi Carly and Carly’s family,
I just wanted to tell you how inspiring you all are. I was so excited to watch you and your family on the 20/20 episode. As the mother of two children with Autism, they are also non-verbal, your story gives me hope that one day they will be able to express themselves in a way that we will be able to understand.
I wondered if I could ask you a question Carly?
What does it feel like when if you try to get the words out?
I know that my children get frusterated because I cannot figure out what they want or need. I can see it in their eyes and I try so hard to understand. If you have the words in your mind, and you speak so clearly and eloquently in the words you type, why do you think that you can’t make the words come out verbally? This is the question that boggles my mind, my children understand most of what we say and tell them but what is it that is blocking them from being able to make the words come out?
You have my utmost respect and I pray that your future is limitless, that you will be able to do whatever you set your mind too. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story with us, and trying to help us understand this disorder that our children are living with.
Sincerely yours,
Christie Rhoades
Duchesne, Utah
Beautifully said. Way to go, Carly! I hope you get into a mainstream class.
Good luck on you’re futture by the way grade are you going to bein? Anyway best of luck
To Carly, and to Christie – I have the very same question about my nonverbal son. What is it that keeps him from being able to speak? He actually gets upset and shakes his head no to us when we ask him to even imitate a simple sound. I am anxious to hear what Carly can say about this that might shed some light on it for us. THANKS.
Carly – I just LOVE YOU!! You make my heart smile! I give thanks to God for you, and ask that He greatly bless you and your family! I know that He directs your each and every step, and that He is making a way for you, in His perfect timing, and that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by His own hands – very unique for the very unique purposes He has for your life
Yay God!!
With gratitude and affection,
~Melissa
Hi Carly,
I teach children with special needs. You inspire me to see them for who they are, not just by how eloquent their communication skills are. Thank you for letting us know about your world…what it’s like and how it feels to be Autistic. It’s abolutely mind blowing to hear about your life. You will get into the High School that you want to. You are SUCH a blessing.
Take Care,
Bonnie
Very well said. There’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to attend and excel in public school. I look forward to hearing the outcome.
Well said Carly!
Go Carly! You are bright and inspirational and have a very exciting future. You deserve every opportunity that comes your way. Good luck! You’ll blow them all away, just like you’ve done for so many through your words.
Hi Carly.
I am from ISRAEL & i’m a father of an autistic 9yr that goes to regular school.
He needs a personal helper in school that helps him to communicate
with the teachers & students & helps him learn some of the things that are hard for him (like undersanding plot stories & groop sport)
He is doing very well, the kids love him & he is learning to play the piano now. He is Best in class in computers, great at riding bicycle
& wants to play basketball & soccer.
When the Education Authorities wanted him to go to a special education
school I would not agree & that was the best thing for him.
Don’t give up!
Use the Media to help against “The system” when needed.
Good luck!
boaz.
Rock on, Carly! Very well spoken, indeed!
I didn’t know what “dissertation” meant when I was 13, and people considered me to be of above average intelligence. Way to go, Carly.
This is a great piece of writing – you’re awesome Carly! You made me think of a piece by feminist theorist Adrienne Rich entitled “Claiming and Education.” She writes about how important it is for women to not just ‘receive’ an education, but to claim it. What she says about women and education applies equally to all other communities which have been left out by society. If you are interested, here is a link: http://myweb.cwpost.liu.edu/lbai/Data/English%201F–Materials/Open%20Questions/Claiming%20an%20Education.pdf
Not enough of us claim our education, insist on it, create it ourselves where needed – you are clearly an exception to this unfortunate societal trend. Keep on kicking ass kiddo!