BS: Congratulations

Subject: BS: Congratulations to Craig.
From: Folkiedave
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:01 PM

I would not normally post this sort of stuff - but I got a message from an ex-student today and it honestly brought huge tears to my eyes.

Here it is:

would just like to let all of you know that I have completed my Politics and Social Policy degree at Coventry University and got a 2:1 Honours degree.

Nothing special about that except Craig is quadriplegic and has only tiny amounts of control over any function. He writes with a computer and is fed and looked after by carers. For someone starting life with those sort of difficulties to achieve a degree is really wonderful and I thought I would like to share his happiness and mine (as one of his former teachers before university)with someone.

You got the job.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: gnu
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:04 PM

Tears here too........... Cheers!!! Bravo!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: Peace
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:21 PM

That is absolutely wonderful, Dave. His success, but yours also. Funny that students always seem to know who really liked them, huh? Congratulations to you, too.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: greg stephens
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 04:28 PM

That will have made your day, not to mention his. Thanks very much for sharing that bit of news.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: alanabit
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 05:00 PM

Wonderful news. I started teaching in a state school for the first time last August and I was quite taken aback by how much I liked it.
Recently I finished reading Frank McCourt's lovely book "Teacher Man". The end of that, in which he started to appreciate the value of what he had done, brought the tears to my eyes.
Well done for you and your student Dave. You must be floating on air.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: Azizi
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 10:42 PM

Congratulations to Dave!

Thanks for sharing the message he sent you.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: Sandra in Sydney
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 10:54 PM

how marvellous to know that you have contributed to a student's success.

sandra

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: katlaughing
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 11:00 PM

How beautiful. Thanks for sharing and goodonya for obviously being a great and caring teacher.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: TRUBRIT
Date: 15 Jul 07 - 11:07 PM

Great post -- truly great!! For 16 years I worked at America's leading long term disability company -- they were very much 'into' hiring the disabled and what an absolute inspriation to the rest of us it was. I became dear friends with someone who was a quadroplegic as a result of a wrestling accident on his graduation night......he moved around by blowing in a tube in his wheelchair to steer him, he was fed by his wife, he spoke intermittantly as the machine that kept him breathing would only let him speak at a certain cadence. He was charming, delightful, interesting and so intelligent -- in fact, he was a real person. He passed from complications of brain cancer (anyone still believe there is a God out there that could deal such a man such a crappy hand) but he was upbeat to the end....and he 'tolerated' (I think he liked) endless kids asking him about his wheelchair and saying how really cool it was that he moved around by blowing in a tube .... my son was one of those kids when he came to dinner............

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 05:40 AM

That's wonderful Dave, makes you feel like you've actually done something worthwhile.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: kendall
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 07:10 AM

It just goes to prove that you are not licked until you admit it.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: Rapparee
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:09 AM

I once had a patron who had MS -- we were overjoyed and overwhelmed when she came back to share her PhD in biology with us.

I know how you feel!

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 09:17 AM

Totally inspiring story.

That's why I always go on about ordinary people being the real heros, and not the stars and celebrities, or the politicians and business magnates, or the generals and TV evangelists.

Craig is an inspiration; and so must you have been, Dave. F***ing well done to you both.

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: skipy
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:06 AM

Magic, just MAGIC!
Well done both of you.
Skipy

Subject: RE: BS: Congratulations
From: SINSULL
Date: 16 Jul 07 - 11:08 AM

Thanks for sharing. I am always fascinated by the success of people who could without any criticism sit back and do nothing.