Physical disabilities do not impact mental capabilities

To the editor:

My name is Jason Hahr. I currently live in Edinboro, Penn. You may ask yourself why am I reading a letter from someone in Pennsylvania when I live in Wasilla? To answer that question, I am a 25-year-old man who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy.

In a recent debate, Mark Ewing said: “I got to be honest with you, I am not in favor of the No Child Left Behind Act. We are spending millions and millions of dollars educating children that have a hard time making their wheelchair move and, I’m sorry, but you’ve got to say, ‘no’ somewhere. We need to educate our children, but there are certain individuals that are just not going to benefit from an education.”

I have several questions and comments for you, the first being, who in the world made you the one to decide who can be productive members of society? For your information, I am pursuing my master’s degree in education, specifically at the secondary level in social studies, with the goal of becoming a classroom teacher. I, myself have difficulty operating my wheelchair at times due to severe muscle spasms, which I’m sure you’ve never experienced. My physical disability, however, does not impact my mental capabilities. From your quote in this debate and other comments in the article, I can see that my brain is more highly developed than yours. At least I think before I speak.

On the off chance that you actually read this and are thinking that I am not in the group of people you were referring to, I’ll have you know that there are other ways to move your chair than with your hands.

My one friend who has arthroscyposis actually drives her chair with her head. There are a large number of handicapped individuals who attend my university who can probably think better outside of the box than yourself.

For a second, however, let’s discuss your quote. You said, “at some point we have to draw the line.” As a person going into the education field, I can tell you that people who cannot communicate like you and I do, can educate and be educated. For example, one does not have to have clear speech to get an education or to educate. They can use adaptive technology such as a Dynobox or speaking board. As I posted on my Facebook, which you can find at Facebook.com/jasonhahr, it is due to ignorant comments like yours that I am writing my master’s thesis on how disabled individuals and others who fall outside of societal norms have changed the classroom in the last 20 years.

Mr. Ewing, It is because of discouraging people like you that a large portion of the disability community buys into the notion that disability is a barrier that cannot be overcome. In my heart of hearts, I do not think you will read this letter because I am not a member of your beloved constituency, but on the off chance that you do, I invite you to come to Edinboro, Penn., and see for yourself exactly what the individuals you deem should not be educated are able to accomplish.

Jason Hahr

Edinboro, Penn.