Year: 1994 - 95 AGM December 1, 1994 - SSAAM

Dear Mrs. Baydack,
Your son is awesome! (to be honest I didnt
even know he bad Down syndrome until I saw
him up dose.) I think it was good that you
came today. You straightened out a lot of
people, and taught us things that we couldnt
learn from just anybody. I bet you're feeling
sort of scared that when you son goes to school
some kids will pick on him. Maybe some will,
but not all. Young children always seem to
tease people that are different, but everybody
gets teased at some point Some kids dont
understand Ryan's position, but a lot of kids
wont judge him by that either. Once kids get
into Middle School, usually they look past that
stuff. I can honestly tell you that the kids that
tease mentally challenged people are only
doing it because they dont understand H or
they want to look "cool" by putting someone
else down, so dent worry! You should be
really proud of yourself! You didnt give up
on your son and thanks to you and the people
that raise him (you and your husband) you're
going to turn Ryan into the best person he can
be. I think you're a really great mother.
Sincerely,
Sue Thompson
Grade?, Room31
Shamrock School
Dear Mrs. Baydack,
I was touched by your presentation so much that I went home and cried. I would like to know
how Ryan does in school and how people react to him. I would like to see him again. He is
very cute and reminds me of my little cousin.
The boys in my class were really impressed by the presentation, but afterwards some of them
were really insulting and uncaring. I feel very strongly about all handicapped children and
adults. After seeing Ryan I fed as though he is part of my own family.
I have never really known or thought about Down Syndrome until during and after your
presentation. I have never really thought about what it would be like and I cant really
imagine having Down Syndrome. I have taken advantage of how normal my life is. Ryan's
life will be normal for him, right?
Is this going to be passed down to maybe your ten year old daughter's child? How is she
reacting to this change of life? Are her friends being kind to her about the situation?
Are you and your husband worried about being embarrassed by Ryan's behavior when he is
older, or do you think you will just leave ft alone and not care about H?
Ryan and I do have one thing in common. We're both September sixteenth babies. We only
have about ten years between us.
Thank you for coming and please thank Ryan one more time for me. I appreciate you for
coming in and talking to my dass so strongly. I know I'm speaking for my whole dass when I
say ft was an excellent presentation.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Nelson,
Grade 7, Room 30
Shamrock School
Together We Have Learned
We came to each other not knowing what to expect
You to learn, me to teach.
There was no way to know how things would turn out.
I didnt know what to do with you -
You knew exactly what to do with me!
You came to me with your own Mle personality -
You gave me new meaning to the term "determined."
When in doubt, I hesitated - you plunged forward.
I wanted to teach you to hit and catch a ball -
You took pride in holding the bat correctly.
I taught you the rules to certain games -
You taught me certain rules to Rfe.
I worked with you on jumping, skipping, running and
throwing
As you worked showing me how capable you are.
How could I ever have doubted!
I was skeptical of you abilities and if it hadn't been
for you,
I would never have learned how capable and important
you are.
You say you can swing yourself now -
I say I can honestly appreciate your efforts.
You say you can now jump my plastic hurdles -
I can now jump two of life's biggest hurdles - ignorance
and prejudice.
I was in such a hurry to help you do things -
You made me wait until you were sure you could trust
me.
I tried to crowd so much into one week -
You taught me patience, and a little at a time works
best for you.
I was feeing down - you hugged me.
You shared your treasures with me: bugs, chickens,
snacks, lunches.
When I made things complicated,
You showed me the beauty of simplicity.
When I thought winning was so important -
You showed me just finishing was enough.
You shared your accomplishments with me: finishing
the race with a smile, hanging from the bars without
help, going down the slide alone, swinging yourself.
When I took so many things in MQ for granted -
You showed me how to appreciate the small, simple
things in our daily world.
As you leave me now to go into society
My heart is heavy - yours is excited.
But I know in my heart you're better equipped to handle
Sfe-
And I have the peace of knowing I too Witt do better -
Because together we have learned.
Sue Porterfield
Physical Education Teacher
1990-1992