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The Right Thumb Poet Visits Local Sixth Grade Students
On April 12 Garrison and Haldane sixth grade students will meet someone whose reality is diametrically opposite their own, yet they have much in common.
Bob Smith is "The Right Thumb Poet". Despite his severe cerebral palsy, he expresses himself through poetry and prose that captures fundamental human experiences: loneliness, despair, dreams and kindness. He may not be able to walk, talk or care for himself but Mr. Smith has the ability to transcend age and ability. His message touches the hearts of everyone who meets him, including 11- and 12- year-old students.
Mr. Smith, 43, was institutionalized during his early years and was locked in silence, with no way to effectively communicate. Now he uses a voice synthesizer to tap out letters and words, and to make his feelings known to others. His life has dramatically changed through this new technology. With support from the Westchester ARC, he wrote an anthology, Reflections of My Life, and launched his own business, "Handmade Poetry."
Both the Garrison and Haldane schools will host Mr. Smith as part of Differences Day, a celebration of those with physical or learning differences. The program is designed to promote awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by special needs children and to help able-bodied students develop positive attitudes and empathy towards those with disabilities.
All Garrison and Haldane third grade students also participate in Differences Day by experiencing speech, hearing, visual, motor and learning disabilities at unique impairment stations set up throughout the Haldane auditorium. Students experience what it is like to have a disability through exercises or through the use of adaptive equipment or other materials to simulate a disability at each station. Local students learn that everyone has their own unique talents and abilities even though we all don't look or act alike.
Now in its eighth year at Garrison and Haldane schools, Differences Day is sponsored by Common Threads, a joint project of the Garrison and Haldane PTA and winner of the 2006 Phoebe Apperson Hearst Award of Excellence from the National PTA. It also receives support from the Garrison Children's Education Fund and the Haldane School Foundation. Be sure to ask your Garrison and Haldane third and sixth grade students if anything was "different" at school on Thursday, April 12. For more information about Differences Day or Common Threads, email CommonThreadsPTA@aol.com.
For more information about Bob Smith, go to:
www.handmadepoetry.com
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