Six Going On 13 | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Six Going On 13 | Previous Challenge Entry
By Paula Steele
01/31/07
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

Six Going on 13

"The b..b.ee..no, eh..gha...big, the big d..d..ahh..gha...dog, the big dog, it's no use, I can't do this!" cried Sam as he tried reading his work book. "Why can't I read like everyone else?" he cried out in anquish. "I don't know why I have to be so dumb!" Sam started to cry. "Now, now" said Sam's teacher. "You are doing an excellent job, remember when you first came to school you couldn't read at all" Mrs. Elliott was Sam's Special Education teacher. She had taught Special Ed. for 20 years to children with learning disabilities and physical as well as mental challenges. She loved her work very much.
Sam was 13 years old, but his mental capabilities were that of a six-year old, with moderate retardation. Sam had what is known as; Clinical Inner Seizures. It was a type of seizure that went undetected to the human eye since there were no noted jerks or other familiar traits that usually went along with a seizure disorder. His brain would experience a burst of electric like shocks every 4-5 seconds. The seizure could affect any part of the brain, but in Sam's case it only affected his short term memory. Therefore causing Sam to easily forget anything that he had learned. Most of the things that he did know, were things that had been developed by habit. Like tying his shoes, combing his hair, (although he did need to be reminded every now and then)
When a new thought was processed in Sam's mind, and he caught it before the seizure took place, his chances of remembering were 50 percent.
"Honey, you and I both know that if we keep going and we don't give up, the chances of you learning to read are really good, right? asked Mrs. Elliott. Sam sat quietly, staring down at his desk. "Can we start over?" she continued.
"I'll try" he whispered sadly. "The big dog ch..ch..chased the f..f..aaa...ssst, fast car. - The big dog chased the fast car, I did it!,
I did it!" shouted Sam, flinging his arms up in the air with excited emotion. "See there, I knew you could do it!" Mrs. Elliott was just as excited as Sam, if not a little bit more. She knew that Sam could achieve so much more, if only he could believe in himself. "Ok, now let's move on to something different." Mrs. Elliott did not want Sam to notice the tears that were beginning to form in her eys.
That night as Ruth (Mrs.Elliott) prepared for bed, she started to think of Sam and his empressement at wanting so much to be like the other kids. Tears began to form again as she recalled his jubilant excitment earlier in the day.
Kneeling down beside her bed, she began to pray. "Lord, I thank you for this wonderful day that you have given me. I pray Lord that I did you justice and served you well. I want only to be obediant to Your Word and to do Your Will". Ruth started to choke up as she continued, "Lord, I come to you tonight, not for myself, but on behalf of a very special boy that You know and love". wiping back the flood of tears, she prayed on, "If..if you could only bless this child with the willingness to want to do better, I know that he could excell in anything that he wanted, please Lord, just give him that desire to want to keep going and not give up. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen." Ruth sat on the floor sobbing for what seemed an eternity.
Suddenly the phone rang, bringing her back to reality "I wonder who that is?" she asked herself out loud.
"Hello" it was Sam "Mrs.Elliott, it's Sam" "Why yes, Sam, what's wrong dear?" Ruth asked in concernment. "Nothing, I'm sorry I'm calling so late, my mom dialed the phone for me, but..ah..well..I just wanted to say thank you for not giving up on me, and I want you to know that I am going to try and do better. It's like you said Mrs. Elliott, if I don't give up, my chances of learning to read will be alot better." Sam waited for Ruth to say something. "Mrs. Elliott, are you there?" asked Sam
"Ah, yes Sam I'm here" answered Ruth. "Well, I gotta go, see you tomorrow at school, and thanks again." ""Your welcome Sam" Ruth hung up the phone slowly as she focused her eyes towards the ceiling, she smiled. "Thank you for answered prayers Lord"

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be right now. CLICK HERE

JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.