In response to Ryan Commerson's article "Reality vs. Dream" in TTMW #62:
Yes I am speaking to you as a hearing person...
1.... a person given the responsibility to ensure that the Michigan
School for the Deaf is acting in accordance to all federal and state laws,
2.... a person committed to the continued existence of MSD as a viable
option on the continuum of educational services for Deaf and Hard of
Hearing students in the state of Michigan,
3.... a person concerned about and responsible to: kids and families,
staff and teachers, administrators and support staff, school districts
and policy makers,
4.... a person humbled by my responsiblity to serve, work with and
journey through life with others who experience life differently than I,
5....but primarily I respond to "Reality vs Dream" as "just simply a
person"....
Yes I did say something to the effect that the BiBi approach was not
where we were heading at MSD but the context of that statement is far
broader than what was presented. I don't live the context of your life
and I may never experience life the way Deaf people do, however that
should not in any way diminish the way I experience life as a hearing
person.
I know one thing that has been sidetracked in "Reality vs Dream" and
that is this...the context of my statement is very important to it's
meaning. I would be remiss in allowing any of my statements to cast a
cloud over the good name of Michigan School for the Deaf and the
committed staff who give of themselves every day in that very historical
place.
The context of healthy communication is that we acknowledge first and
formost that we are all members of one human family, certainly with
different life experiences, values and stories, but I believe we must
live by a treatise of compassion and community. We must build up not
tear down. This is why I am passionately committed to MSD's future. It
is imperative that we preserve the educational opportunities for
children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing. It is only by compassion,
understanding and quality educational systems that have integrity and
accountability that we will be able to achieve a healthy future for
schools like MSD.
It is unfortunate when individuals or communities loose sight of a
greater good. Whenever we put our needs as adults in front of the needs
of children we marginalize our future, this is what I fear is happening
when comments are shared out of context, when an individual is given a
forum to tear down another individual or a group of individuals.
Power can be achieved in many ways but only the power of community and
compassion will sustain itself in the future. I challenge all of the
readers of this e-magazine to consider this...
"From deep within the quiet path of power is learned, it is from
understanding, not anger, that wisdom is gained."
I particularly challenge Mr. Commerson to reflect deeply on his actions
and his words--are you motivated by your own anger or by the greater
good. You know who I am Ryan and what I stand for-you have acknowledged
it to my face many times-was that a ruse or were those words "out of
context" or were they real?
Beth A. Steenwyk
"A person"