The potential of the human brain is awesome.
Every country needs people who can use their brains – even just a little.
A special needs person has a special kind of brain.
We need to help people with special brains utilise their potential.
The benefits are a huge Win – Win for everyone.
What is a Special Needs person?
Special Needs might describe individuals who require assistance (help) for disabilities that may be medical, mental, or psychological. People with Autism, Down syndrome, dyslexia, blindness, or cystic fibrosis, for example, may be considered to have special needs.
All of you will probably teach, or work with a person who has a special need sometime in your lifetime. Granted, you might never have to teach a blind, autistic or paralyzed person. However, you will probably work with a Susie, who is extremely bright but whose hearing impairment makes it very difficult for her to learn new skills; interact with a Trevor whose attention deficit disorder makes learning more difficult for both him and those around him; or a Kristy, whose awful allergies make being active almost impossible on some days.
Disability versus This ability. Think of Lindsay, who as a youngster (Spelt “Young Star”), had this incredible ability to do maths in his head. However, his teachers insisted that he had to write down the working – and Lindsay struggled with this. Why did they insist that things had to be done their way? Lindsay already had the answers worked out!
Lindsay was a special person with a special brain.
What is potential?
Let’s talk Physics. An object can store energy as the result of its position or capability. We call this potential energy.
For example, a drawn bow is able to store energy as the result of its position. When assuming its usual position (i.e., when not drawn), there is no energy stored in the bow. Yet when its position is altered from its usual equilibrium position, the bow is able to store energy by virtue of its position. This stored energy of position is referred to as potential energy.
If energy in motion is rate of doing work, then potential or stored energy is the amount of work that this object, or body, is capable of doing. This capability is potential.
Think about that bow. Can we improve the potential or capability capability? Yes we can:
- Improve the design of the bow
- Improve the material – bow and string
- Increase the tension of the bow and the bow string (with care)
- Improve and streamline the arrows
- Improve the bowman
Maybe we can get the best of both worlds – imagine William Tell and a top notch man with the cross bow. That’s how good we can transform potential if we have the right equipment, the right training and the right attitude!
William Tell and the cross bow.
Potential transformed into positive action. Fire the bow, and hit that apple.
Plant seeds of possibility. They become special trees
Nurture those trees – they will become a productive forest.
Think about what a Special Needs person could do?
The potential (capability) of anything can be turned into positive action.
A special needs person has unlimited potential. They can do anything, if they have the self belief, the training and the right help. They need nurturing in order to achieve potential.
What are the expectations for Special Needs students at schools?
- In the government’s opinion? Keep them under control.
- In the opinion of Education Institutes? Restrict them.
- In the opinion of the Special Needs student? It depends on their self belief.
I say Special Needs people have awesome and unlimited potential. This potential is only limited by the limiting beliefs of people without vision.
No one understands the environment from the perspective of a special needs person better than a special needs person. Take Paddy, a student of mine who was forever told by others he could never attain Microsoft Certification. Guess what – Paddy obtained his Microsoft Certification in 2006!
What can trees do?
They provide Shade and shelter, and also timber.
One of New Zealand’s most famous rugby players was Colin “Pine Tree” Meads. He was like a solid oak, but could be flexible like a willow. Imagine a forest of “Pine Trees”. An awesome team.
A tree needs nurturing. This includes Weeding. Pruning and Fertilising.
Think of a Special Needs person (this could be you or me) as a tree needing nurturing. Become a Tree Doctor.
Some possibilities.
They can achieve education credits. I know.
- They can contribute e.g. Paddy, who is now in charge of Computer support at a hospital.
- Computer support work.
- Writer’s assistant especially diagrams.
They are appreciative.
They need encouragement more than most. Please encourage.
Conclusion.
Never under estimate the potential of anyone.
- Never under rate a person’s potential. Encourage. Build up. Become a Barnabas – the Son of Encouragement.
Special needs people have unlimited potential. This potential is often beyond our understanding. However, to build this potential, they often need our help.
Special needs people have the potential to become a mighty pine forest.
Special needs people have huge ability.
- Plant the seeds of a possibility tree.
- Nurture these special trees, and watch them grow.
Nurture them, and let’s harvest the potential.
