Including Samuel: Lillian Hsu

Including Samuel really got me thinking about equality movements.  Before, I had always thought that equality for homosexuals would be the last big hurrah, but I was wrong.  Who knows who even else is still out there waiting for the same opportunities that we already have?  Including Samuel was pretty controversial for me, because I don't know if I truly believe that inclusion is the best way for individuals with disabilities to be integrated into society with the best possible chances of being a contributing and happy member of the community.  It just seems odd that teachers with no formal/informal training on teaching kids with disabilities are all of a sudden thrown into this really difficult situation.  I can't believe that this is truly the most efficient way for the classroom as a whole to function.  On the other hand, however, I do think it's important for the students with and without disabilities to get to know one another so that this topic becomes less and less of a tabu, and so that both parties can learn from one another.  Including Samuel is a touching story, and I hope it continues to impact the lives of others and force people to think about what might be the uncomfortable, but also the important.