Every few months Sandra would sadly look through her daughter’s report cards. Failing grades, always failing grades.
“Whats going on, honey?” Sandra asks her barely responsive daughter. “Do you not understand what the teacher is saying?”
The little girl shrugs, “I listen,” is all she says.
Teacher meetings come and go, new goals are placed. They are never reached. Farther and farther her daughter falls behind and still they push her to the next grade.
“She can sit in class and participate in the work; she gets some of them right.” The teachers say proudly.
“But she’s not passing the tests and her grades are horrid.” Her mom points out.
“Oh, but she’s come so far.”
Picture a world that you can not understand. Picture a world in which everyone who tries explaining things sounds a lot like Einstein. It is in this world that Tiffany is trapped.
A new textbook, more words she can not understand. She floats by because she can at least read the words. She dare not ask questions because she can’t figure out how to explain what she isn't understanding. Everyone else understands it, why can’t she.
Tiffany starts to wonder if it’s her.
“The kids ask how I got here, if I’m so dumb.” Tiffany tells her mom.
“You are not dumb, honey, your brain just learns at a different pace then theirs do.” Sandra explains while trying not to cry.
Years have gone by. One step forward and two steps back. They have no explanation, they have no reasons why she should be struggling.
More tests paint a dismal picture and new suggestions that don’t help.
A kid in a teen’s body, desperate to learn, but bottled up inside. Trapped by her mind’s deficiencies; she’s left with just muddling through.
The potential is there, if only she could... remember... if only she could... understand.
- -> photo credit: Arvind Grover via photopin (license) <-
- Today's post was inspired by the research I have been doing all day.
Every day (excluding sundays) I will be writing a post about something that begins with the letter for that day. Most of the time you will find a sci-fi flash fiction piece here.
For Readers: Sorry... I don't really have a question for you today. Tomorrow shall be a cheerier post though ;)
I really enjoyed this piece because I recently finished a short story about a child with autism and because of my experiences with my two daughters. One is a big reader and excels at every subject in school, while the other struggles with reading. She is catching up, but I know it is hard for her to compare herself with her sister.
ReplyDeleteI left you a blog award at http://www.tamaranarayan.com. Please stop by if you're interested.
My eldest is falling behind her younger brothers more and more every year. She's STUCK. So I definitely know the comparison factor between siblings- it's heartbreaking!
DeleteThank you so much for the nomination! I'm honored, not sure when I'll get around to answering it but I'll let you know when I do ;)
As the parent to a kid who doesn't fit in the box, this piece spoke to me. It is so difficult trying to navigate the school system when they simply aren't equipped (or interested?) in truly unlocking the potential of our kids. The self-esteem hits are heartbreaking to see, and difficult to assuage.
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Corinne
http://www.corinneoflynn.com
It is... I've finally realized that I am out of my depth with her disabilities and have been making efforts to call around to find an advocate that can come with me.
Delete*hugs* hope you find some help for your kiddo :(
Thank you for coming by! I'm glad you liked the piece. I was just so overwhelmed last night that I had to write this instead of my normal stories ;)