Guest Commentaries, Writings and Memorials:
CHRISTAL HOPKINS
LYDIA JEN
By Christal Hopkins
In an article written by Doug Hoagland, May 18, 2007:
Learning the Hard Way, A woman with a child's mind
takes a big step toward dream job in schools, the
words: "A woman with a child's mind," glared at me as
I read the story. Lydia Jen is a woman with
developmental disability who has completed a program
that could lead to her being hired as a teacher's aide
for children with developmental disabilities.
Like Ms Jen, I too am developmentally disabled and
know such labels that have no basis in reality,
describe as children or people with a child-like
mentality. when the truth is, most of us are just like
anyone else with dreams of a better life.
Lydia Jen at 22 years is trying to find her way. She
wants to know where she fits in. She wants a job and
to know that the people in her life are proud of her.
It is possible that Lydia may want to marry and have
children of her own someday. You might not think this
would be possible, after all this is a woman with a
"child's mind."
As I read on, the fact that Lydia was able to
articulate her own philosophy of why she was born with
developmentally disabilities should have made the
writer aware that this was not a woman with a child's
mind. "Maybe God wanted me to be like this," Jen said
days before the ceremony. "Maybe he wanted to give me
a chance to learn the hard way. Maybe to teach my own
kids someday. Maybe to help students who are much
lower than me."
For some of us the ability to get a high school
diploma or a GED will be a dream that may never come
true. However, to question her qualification for being
hired as a class room aide for children with
disabilities is astounding to me. She brings to the
table something you cannot find in any text book,
something that cannot be taught in school: an ability
to understand what it feels like to be a success as a
person with developmental disability. Why must we be
penalized for not being able to do complex math
problems needed to earn a diploma?
Copyright 2007 - Christal Hopkins