Profile
of Success - Faye E. Warren
How did I face my disabilities and overcome the difficulties of life? One of the most challenging goals was to receive regular education and then proceed to college. As I entered seventh grade, I was transferred to a new middle school. There I met a remarkable teacher, Ms. Hackett, who realized that I was as smart as anybody else without a disability. Therefore she gave me a chance and integrated me into two classes to see if I could handle those classes with an aide to assist me in the classroom.
After a month or more, I met some friends who were very willing to assist in taking notes, getting books out of my books bag and so on. If I needed to read a book in class, a friend took my communication device from my metal stand and put the book the in its place. My head stick that I use to type with was left on me head so I could turn the pages of the book. Worksheets were put into the plastic swivel paper holder attached to the right side of my communication device, called the Liberator. However, I now use the Pathfinder with Minspeak application program, Word Strategy, and Word Prediction. I access my Pathfinder with the headstick, but mostly with the optical head mouse pointer better known as the Dot. So, all of my friends took the place of an aide.
| "We did learn a great lesson in this. The lesson is that everyone is afraid of what is different and even the teachers. However, we can change all of their fears toward people with disabilities or others who are dissimilar by educating them concerning different kinds of disabilities and how we can help people with disabilities gain respect." |
During the same year I was included in regular classes, I developed scoliosis and had to have an operation. I realized I needed more help than my mother could give me so we decided to hire an aide, Barbara Hunter, who assisted Ms. Hackett in mainstreaming me in my first regular education class. Barbara is still my personal Home Health Aide and my close friend to this very day.
When I came back to school after my operation, I had to work extra hard to catch up in all academic classes. Ms. Hackett helped me everyday after school for three hours until I caught up in every class. I proved to her that I was so serious about being mainstreamed, even determined to go to my neighborhood high school along with my peers, and I wouldn't give up until all of my work was completed and on her desk at sundown. Most importantly, I wouldn't give up until my wish or my prayers were answered to go to my neighborhood high school.
Before I became a freshman I attended summer school at Dr. Phillips Elementary in Orlando. I took a Personal Fitness class with a group of students with physical challenges. The principal hired a special education teacher to teach the summer school course. We had to do the same things as all of the other students did in their regular physical education classes, but the teachers were very creative and allowed us to have extra time while we did our requirements for that class.
After I had gotten a feel for what high school was all about, I began to venture out and get involved with my school activities by signing up for all different kinds of clubs such as: the Beta Club, Honor's Society, Christian Activities, and Student Council.
Whenever I look back at all of the wonderful things I did throughout my high school years and all of the strategies that the teachers and I worked on together as a team to make it as easy and pleasant as possible for me to handle my work load and go to high school at Dr. Phillips, I commend all of the teachers who were willing to do their very best at teaching me and thought of me as one of their students without a disability who was willing to learn. Also, I have admiration for all of them for being more than willing to help me with my assignments before and after school.
The teachers at Dr. Phillips High School offered me the kind of help I needed
and that help made me feel that I belonged at my neighborhood high school. Those
teachers care about teaching their students by trying to give their students
the best education possible.
For further information, please contact me at: warrenfaye@yahoo.com
Being an Ambassador for Prentke Romich Company helps me realize that I'm not the only one who uses a communication device and together we can help one another to endure life's greatest challenges. Also, Prentke Romich brought me wonderful opportunities to meet somebody special and make new friends in my life.
Faye Warren as Consultant,
Mentor, Coach
Faye shown with fellow PRC Ambassador, Bac
Shelton