Tell me, and, I forget, teach me, and I remember, involve me, and I learn. Ben Franklin
By Tina Jackson
They say, it takes a village to raise a child. I can say it is very true, in my case. I was born with mild Cerebral Palsy which limited the use of my left side. I was slow in my development, learning to talk, and walk. I learned from an early age, that life for me would be difficult.
As I traveled the path of life, there were many people who I met on the path who took the time to get to know me, and the challenges, I was facing, and offer understanding and personal experience to guide me
I was unsure of my abilities and found it hard to see myself being an independent productive person. Yet, somehow, someone was always showing up in my path, when I needed encouragement, and guidance.
Let me tell you about some of the wonderful people who have mentored me along my path.
My mother grew up in a family of 11 siblings during the depression era. She taught me hard work was the key to achieving my goals. Nothing was impossible. My father grew up, with 10 siblings, in the same era. I learned from him that education was the important key, to achieving goals. He made me believe college was an option and made sure I went after high school.
While in college in the 70’s I had a teacher, Tony Mazzero, who was so giving. He was the first adult male I had ever met who felt strongly about equal rights, womens ability in society. He worked with me on my low self esteem by giving me important assignments. I did not encounter men like him in my rural East Kentucky town so it was a powerful lesson on the possibility of doing great things as a disabled woman.
In college I worked at a convent. I lived in their boarding house and stayed nights watching over elderly nuns. They came to trust my abilities and would tell me how safe they felt when I was on duty. My self esteem grew during those nights chatting the sisters. I grew close to the house mother, sister Anne. I will never forget the enormous trust and belief in me
Later on my path I became friends with an elderly southern woman who dified the local prejucgice against black in the 50’s and opened her own Sunday school class for the black children who were not allowed to attend church.she used an old cabin on her property once used as slave quarter to hold Sunday school. We wrote letters for years. Sarah taught me to do what you think is right and stand up to wrongs in society. I have marched in protest of wrongs I see and I think of the courage of Sarah.
When my path took me to rural Kyi met Sylida. She was the strongest woman I knew. She ran a cattle farm single handed working dawn to dusk but always had time to chat and make donuts for hungry children as we got off the school bus. I was learning to ride a bike at this time. It took me what seemed like fifty trips by her house and landing in her rose bush.she would dust me off and send me on my way.you can do this she said. We celebrated the day I rode by her house and did not crash in the roses.another strong woman who made me feel able, strong and independent.
I met uncle Bob on her farm. He was totally blind but he taught us how to adapt to his world. We played horse shoes by banging on the stake so he could in on the location and make ringer most of time. He taught me to adapt and adjust to be successful. However his greatest lesson I learned from Bob was you must love to be loved and we did love him.
I have been enrolled in a classroom of one type or another all my life. I guess that makes me a Lifetime Learner.
My first recollection of class is the big room I went to once a day at Bellefonte Hospital, at age two, where I was taught independence skills along with other physically challenged children. We learned to tie a shoe with one hand, and button and fasten clothes by dressing and undressing a doll. I also learned to write and color to develop eye-hand coordination.
Our teacher was in a wheelchair, which was the first time I had ever seen anyone with a disability in a traditional job setting. I found out years later that she had committed suicide. Knowing this lady opened up my view of my own future possibilities
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