Gina's Story
Storyboard Text
- "In these kinds of situations, you home for the worst"
- At the very start of Niki Mirabella's introduction, I could feel the immense amount of love that she has for her daughter. It takes courage and bravery to invite strangers into your life, for the purpose of creating a more empathetic and just society. It is clear from the start that Niki has always been proud of her daughter.
- The doctor's suggestion to Niki that she would be better off without her baby because Gina has a severe disability reveals our society's view of disabled people: that they are nuisances. I admire Niki's strength and advocacy for Gina from the very beginning of her life, as it is not easy to fight against a societal system that is working against you.
- It was incredible to read about the many obstacles that Niki overcame to find Gina help. Despite the many 'no's' and financial and time barriers that Niki met along the way, she never gave up for her daughter, and Gina is thriving because of Niki's persistence.
- 1. At the start of the school year, I can share my goals and expectations for the class with parents, and invite them to do the same with me.2. I can share my email address with parents and invite them to share any questions or concerns they may have about the class with me. 3. I can design assignments that encourage students to collaborate with their parents, such as having students interview their parents for a project. 4. I will always contact parents if I feel that they should be aware of any aspect of their child's behavior or performance.
- I am so happy to learn that Gina defied all odds and has grown into a happy young adult. Her mom made her beautiful life possible through advocacy and perseverance. It was heart warming to see Gina laughing and smiling with her mom at the end of the presentation. Gina's story shows the power of simply recognizing disabled people as people, and treating them as equally deserving humans in society.
- Gina's story has taught me about the power of a mother's love for her child and about what's possible for people with disabilities if we simply take the time to understand them. Because of Niki's dedication to understanding Gina's needs, Gina is able to live a life that no doctor thought possible for her. Niki broke through the societal barriers that tried to silence Gina, and has created a wonderful life forher.
- Through Gina's story, Niki has shown the importance of listening to parents and involving parents in the classroom. Even when the school administration shut her down, Niki insisted that she knew what was best for Gina, and she was correct. Here are 4 ways that I can involve parents in my classroom:
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