3 Perspectives

I. The red winged blackbird knows how hard it is for me to connect with humans. But I can still share my joy over this bird with my mom, who is dying for a way in. II. I was just told today by my teacher that I have a learning disability. I was sad, confused. But my mom, she was “furious” when she heard. She’s a real go-getter, too, and she went and got them, Made them stop calling me that. But now, things are worse. Teacher Brett doesn’t help me anymore. He’s helping some other kid. Things are much harder now. III. My name is Betsy and I’m 25-years old. I love Panda Express orange chicken more than anyone else on the planet. It isn’t the fanciest restaurant but it’s cheap and I can walk to it. (I hate cooking.) Without the spirit of inclusion, The persistence of my parents, And my high school “inclusion facilitators,” I’d most likely be institutionalized or in some group home. Instead I give speeches to crowds of fancy adults About the power of not giving up, the power of support, And the path of independence it has provided me. (Straight to the orange chicken.)