Uploaded:  6/9/09

Author:  Kasandra Garza
What's the Difference?
by Kasandra Garza
6th grade student

I will tell you the many reasons why I joined to help students with special needs and what my relationships are. 

My Sisters
What got me interested in helping students with special needs is because my sister is a special needs student also.  Her name is Monika.  She has Cerebral Palsy, but she acts like she doesn't even have it.  She loves to eat anything that is food.  She loves fruits and vegetables and is extremely healthy.  She likes to play video games; her favorite game is Bratz.  She is the strongest little girl I have ever seen. 

When we were little, my uncle would grab a broom and my little sister would hold on to the broom and do chin-ups.  We would laugh, because it was funny and cute.  When we were young, people would laugh or ask questions about my sister.  Usually, my sister would cry when kids would make fun of her.  I would defend her, and I would get emotional too.  I don't enjoy seeing my sister cry, because I will cry. 

I have another sister, her name is Leilah.  She is 8 years old.  She is like my other sister, Monika.  She is strong and loves video games.  They are the most beautiful girls I have ever seen.  People think they are both twins, because they are the same height, but they are 2.5 years apart. 

I am always protective over my sisters.  I don't let them out of my sight for more than 3 seconds, and if they are, I panic and get worried. 

Volunteering
I have been helping students with special needs for 4 years now.  I would look at kids staring at special needs kids and laugh or talk about them.  Then, I would think about my sister and think about what she is going through.  I am happy with what I am doing.  I have helped several students.  Each one will have a smile on their faces each time I see them.

I always like getting to know more kids with special needs. I have been tutoring them and volunteering both of my recesses to see them.  I have helped them so much that I forget what the playground looks like.  I like teaching them how to count or learn the alphabet.  If they learn a new task or do something good, I make them feel good about themselves.  I will say, "Good Job," or give them a high five.  If you give me a kid who needs help, I will help them no matter what it takes. 

Talents
Some of the kids are really talented, like Arne can juggle really well.  He can juggle and throw it under his leg, behind his back and even under his arm.  He has a voice that will leave you speechless.  His favorite song is "Diary" and "New York, New York." 

Another person with great talent is Josh.  If you let him hear a song 2-3 times, he will know the words to it.  He will always sing.  If he isn't doing anything, he is singing.

Kevin will say "Barney" and if you say, "No Barney" he will laugh forever.

What's the Difference?
I see these kids as normal kids.  I act like they don't need special things.  They can do the same things that we do just in a different way.  What's the difference?

Thank you for taking the time to read my article.  It means a lot to me.  Maybe you can try helping a student with special needs.  You will love it, and you will feel good.  I feel good for what I am doing and one day will be a teacher for students with special needs.