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Show Schoolers. and Home by " Dr. Daryl J.McCarty Executive Secretary . Utah Education Association Being Different .mad what does it mean to be dif- jent?" little Susan asked. After some discussion, Dad learned hisdaughter.was talking about two fads in her class who had physical roblems. One was an epileptic and the iter was in a wheelchair. cnme of Susan's classmates refused , Jave much to do with either because jey were 'different." Many children have come to believe Bt "different" often means "bad," wrong," or "to be avoided." Furtunately, our younger generation humming more enlightened about ople who have handicaps. We are arning and accepting ways to make e better for such "different" people. If we are to enlighten young people rther and erase these prejudices, all us most work for understanding nong our friends, acquaintances and ;ighbors. Children can be especially un-irstanding un-irstanding when adults try to reach em with a point such as this. On the other hand, children who have it had the opportunity to "walk for a iy in the shoes" of the person who has n branded as "different," may be uel. Such cruelty may not be intended. It ay simply be the result of not lowing. The family circle may be the very st place to create a climate of un-rstanding un-rstanding among children. Do your children know that some of e greatest artists, musicians and litical leaders had epilepsy? Do they low that not too many years ago, this tion elected a crippled man to its hest office. "Different" can be beautiful. M home and at school, we adults can iy an important part in helping Udren put "different" in the proper rspective. |