Carla's Persistence
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
Carla was a fighter. That much was evident from several telephone conversations. The church secretary asked the preschool teacher who this woman was who kept calling. "She is very demanding," the teacher replied with a laugh. Carla wanted her daughter to attend a preschool, sponsored by the church. Carla's daughter, Kristal, was born with spina-bifida, a rare disease that affects the back. Kristal was fragile; just by falling on the floor she could break her leg or hip. She had spent much of her young life in a body cast. It was for this reason that several other preschools were reluctant to accept Kristal in their programs. "For most parents," Carla said, "this is an exciting and emotional experience. A time for letting go so that our child can learn, grow, and achieve." Carla wanted her daughter to have the same opportunities other children her age had.
Carla described her experience as a nightmare. "I found that no one was prepared to hear the word, 'handicapped.' " They were so discreet at first that Carla did not realize that discrimination was taking place. There were excuses she kept hearing, about a school being too active, or having steps, or having to gain permission from the governing board.
"I was determined not to give up," Carla says. She was certainly persistent. After an exhausting search she found one preschool director who was willing to meet with her. Carla was willing to do just about anything to have Kristal in preschool. She checked with the insurance company to make sure her daughter would be covered. She contacted an agency to arrange for a full-time aide to stay with Kristal during preschool. She did not care -- she just wanted her daughter to experience what other kids her age experienced.
Carla was happy when she received the news she wanted to hear: Kristal would be attending preschool. Kristal is a beautiful, delightful, intelligent four-year-old girl, who was able to walk with the aid of a walker, while sometimes riding in a wheelchair. The first day of school Kristal was wearing a new blue dress. She looked so beautiful. Carla was so happy. As the school year progressed it was a real joy to have Kristal in the preschool program.
The reason for Carla's persistence soon became evident. Carla knew firsthand what it meant to live with a handicapping condition. She knew what her daughter would encounter from the other children: the stares, the insensitive remarks she would likely endure, and the distance others would keep. Through her own experience Carla had learned to be a fighter. She had to fight for everything she wanted, and she was certainly going to fight for her daughter, hoping that she could make life easier for her daughter.
The preschool director might have been hesitant at first but once Kristal was in class she knew she had made the right decision. Kristal got along fine with the other children and soon made many new friends. By the end of the school year other children showed a real concern for Kristal.
"My advice to parents with 'special children' is, don't give up!" Carla proudly stated.
Carla described her experience as a nightmare. "I found that no one was prepared to hear the word, 'handicapped.' " They were so discreet at first that Carla did not realize that discrimination was taking place. There were excuses she kept hearing, about a school being too active, or having steps, or having to gain permission from the governing board.
"I was determined not to give up," Carla says. She was certainly persistent. After an exhausting search she found one preschool director who was willing to meet with her. Carla was willing to do just about anything to have Kristal in preschool. She checked with the insurance company to make sure her daughter would be covered. She contacted an agency to arrange for a full-time aide to stay with Kristal during preschool. She did not care -- she just wanted her daughter to experience what other kids her age experienced.
Carla was happy when she received the news she wanted to hear: Kristal would be attending preschool. Kristal is a beautiful, delightful, intelligent four-year-old girl, who was able to walk with the aid of a walker, while sometimes riding in a wheelchair. The first day of school Kristal was wearing a new blue dress. She looked so beautiful. Carla was so happy. As the school year progressed it was a real joy to have Kristal in the preschool program.
The reason for Carla's persistence soon became evident. Carla knew firsthand what it meant to live with a handicapping condition. She knew what her daughter would encounter from the other children: the stares, the insensitive remarks she would likely endure, and the distance others would keep. Through her own experience Carla had learned to be a fighter. She had to fight for everything she wanted, and she was certainly going to fight for her daughter, hoping that she could make life easier for her daughter.
The preschool director might have been hesitant at first but once Kristal was in class she knew she had made the right decision. Kristal got along fine with the other children and soon made many new friends. By the end of the school year other children showed a real concern for Kristal.
"My advice to parents with 'special children' is, don't give up!" Carla proudly stated.
