Child with Disability, Down Syndrome, Education, Intellectual Disability, Learning, Schools 
6 Comments Valuing Difference
This is the speech I wrote for Poppet’s last day of school. What I actually said was more succinct, although I the words I spoke still got the message across.
“Hi. In case you don’t know, I’m Poppet’s mum.
It’s unusual for a parent to speak to everyone at the last school assembly, so thank you for this.
The reason I’m here is because Poppet leaves this school today before heading off to secondary school next year and I wanted to make a few acknowledgements.
This is an incredible milestone for Poppet and I’m very proud of her. When she first started here, we had no idea how she would go because her development could not be measured against the other kids.
We were anxious and concerned that we may not have placed her in the best school, given this is a mainstream environment and that special schools were an option. We need not have worried. Although there have been some trying times for all of us, I think these have been outweighed by the many happier times.
The staff I think have been incredible. They may have been stretched sometimes, but their creativity, problem solving and teaching skills have shone. Their compassion, professionalism and sincere desire for Poppet, and every student, to succeed has been evident every day for the past seven years.
And you, the students. You have accepted Poppet, included Poppet and have been her peer. Sometimes it’s difficult or awkward when you encounter difference. Sometimes people can be nasty when they see it. You however, have been role models and are to be commended.
It’s only through the inclusion of people like Poppet in mainstream schools and the ‘real world’ that we’ll remove the barriers and the stigma attached to difference.”
Many parents came up to me after the assembly to thank me. Some were tearful, I think because they were touched, some said that the school was better off for having Poppet there as a student, some wanted to let me know that my words resonated with them and some wanted to let me know that they marvelled at how well Poppet has developed. I was surprised and touched by this. I simply wanted to thank the teachers and the children, but it seems Poppet has moved the parents as well.
When I think about it, I can see that if the behaviours and values displayed by the people at Poppet’s school, we’d have less conflict and unhappiness in the world. There would be more tolerance of difference and an appreciation of each other’s contribution to the world.