"LIFE WITH A "LIFE WITH A DISABILITY“DISABILITY“Lesson PlanLesson Plan

The following lesson may be used The following lesson may be used to promote sensitivity and to promote sensitivity and

understanding towards students understanding towards students with disabilities.with disabilities.

Warm-UpWarm-Up

Read the definition of Read the definition of disabilitydisability in the dictionary. in the dictionary. ► Is it described in a positive, negative, or Is it described in a positive, negative, or

neutral way? neutral way? ► How do you How do you feelfeel when you see someone in a when you see someone in a

wheelchair? wheelchair? ►What kinds of assumptions or judgments do What kinds of assumptions or judgments do

you make about that person? you make about that person? ► If you had a friend in a wheelchair, would they If you had a friend in a wheelchair, would they

be able to enter your house? List places that be able to enter your house? List places that you can think of that aren't "handicap you can think of that aren't "handicap accessible." accessible."

Background KnowledgeBackground Knowledge

Ask students to write or tell their responses to Ask students to write or tell their responses to these questions: these questions:

►What are some things you would have to stop What are some things you would have to stop doing if your were in a wheelchair today? doing if your were in a wheelchair today?

►What are some places you couldn't go to What are some places you couldn't go to today? today?

►How would being in a wheelchair affect your How would being in a wheelchair affect your attitude? attitude?

►How about your self-esteem? How about your self-esteem?

Read the essayRead the essay "LIFE WITH A DISABILITY" "LIFE WITH A DISABILITY" by Amber Junkerby Amber Junker

I have a disability called spina bifida, which has prevented me from being able to walk; so I use a I have a disability called spina bifida, which has prevented me from being able to walk; so I use a wheelchair to get me around. Being in a wheelchair isn't easy because I have a lot of things to wheelchair to get me around. Being in a wheelchair isn't easy because I have a lot of things to deal with. It is not easy for me to go to a lot of places because they aren't handicapped-deal with. It is not easy for me to go to a lot of places because they aren't handicapped-accessible, even though they may say they are. Some examples of places like that are restrooms accessible, even though they may say they are. Some examples of places like that are restrooms in buildings such as hotels and restaurants; also state park hiking trails, showers, and restrooms. in buildings such as hotels and restaurants; also state park hiking trails, showers, and restrooms. Having this disability has given me lots more than this to deal with. I have to deal with people as Having this disability has given me lots more than this to deal with. I have to deal with people as well. Some of them are more rude and inconsiderate to me than they would be to an able-bodied well. Some of them are more rude and inconsiderate to me than they would be to an able-bodied person, just because I'm handicapped. People think that just because I can't use my legs I can't person, just because I'm handicapped. People think that just because I can't use my legs I can't use the rest of my body and they think I can't do as much as I can. I can do a lot -- just not as well use the rest of my body and they think I can't do as much as I can. I can do a lot -- just not as well as others. That is one way I differ from others. as others. That is one way I differ from others.

I can't do any sports that require using legs since I can't walk. That does not mean I can't enjoy I can't do any sports that require using legs since I can't walk. That does not mean I can't enjoy sports. Aside from being disabled and in a wheelchair, I have a few of the same problems other sports. Aside from being disabled and in a wheelchair, I have a few of the same problems other teens my age have. Problems such as death and peer pressure. Other problems I don't have but I teens my age have. Problems such as death and peer pressure. Other problems I don't have but I know are problems are violence, AIDS, drugs and alcohol, and gangs. know are problems are violence, AIDS, drugs and alcohol, and gangs.

Hopefully I won't have any of these problems in the future. Why death is a problem to me is Hopefully I won't have any of these problems in the future. Why death is a problem to me is because my dad died when I was 14 years old. Peer pressure comes along when I am with because my dad died when I was 14 years old. Peer pressure comes along when I am with friends. I tend to pick on my little brother more often when my friends are around. I don't really friends. I tend to pick on my little brother more often when my friends are around. I don't really mind my disability anymore. I have gotten used to it over the years. But I think people should get mind my disability anymore. I have gotten used to it over the years. But I think people should get to know me better. Then they would be nicer because they would realize I'm really not a bad to know me better. Then they would be nicer because they would realize I'm really not a bad person. person.

While it has not been easy to deal with my disability, luckily I have some really terrific friends. I While it has not been easy to deal with my disability, luckily I have some really terrific friends. I don't know what I would do without them. They have been a big help. I think it helps that I have a don't know what I would do without them. They have been a big help. I think it helps that I have a positive attitude about myself, and also it helps that I am really so independent.positive attitude about myself, and also it helps that I am really so independent.

This essay is reprinted from the bookThis essay is reprinted from the book From Darkness to Light: Teens Write About How They Triumphed Over Trouble From Darkness to Light: Teens Write About How They Triumphed Over Trouble with permission of the with permission of the publisher, Fairview Press.publisher, Fairview Press.

Class ActivityClass Activity

After students read the essay, invite them to After students read the essay, invite them to write or discuss (as a class, or in small write or discuss (as a class, or in small groups) their thoughts about these questions: groups) their thoughts about these questions:

► What are some things that would What are some things that would changechange about you if you were in a wheelchair today? about you if you were in a wheelchair today?

► Could you be happy in a wheelchair? Could you be happy in a wheelchair? ► What is a disability that would be most What is a disability that would be most

difficult for you? difficult for you? ► Would your friends change? Would your friends change? ► Why or why not? Why or why not?

Extension ActivitiesExtension Activities

►Use the essays in Use the essays in From Darkness to From Darkness to LightLight to motivate students to think and to motivate students to think and to write about obstacles and to write about obstacles and challenges they've faced. challenges they've faced.