TEDxNarimanPoint - Jo Chopra - Transformation in Education

[1TCreemo]

At a time when we teachers in mainstream education argue the purpose of having differently abled kids in the classroom, for not being able to cater to their needs, YOU have, in the first instance stated how these kids raise the bar, and that a teacher trained in special education is far more sensitive to the needs of the individual. Why not have teacher-trainees in BEd colleges learn how to engage with special kids in their classrooms? ---Just a thought!

[moniekay]

Thank You Jo. I attended the TEDx talks at YB Chavan Auditorium but I think your talk is inspiring, touching, beautiful and something I could listen to over and over again. I have a niece who is special and I love her to bits because of how much I have learnt from her. If God ever gave me a choice, I would want her as my daughter in all my future lives.

[InclusiveIndiaJo]

Thanks, all, for the lovely comments. dharinibhammar, I understand your concerns. But many babies with Downs do not have the difficulties you describe - medical science has advanced a great deal. Many families in Haryana or Rajasthan, where female feticide is common, would react as you are if we hoped they would get a girl. We see them as unenlightened only because we've changed the story for girls. I hope that some day the same thing will be true for babies with disability.

[dharinibhammar]

By wishing someone to have a down's baby or a baby with disabilities, Jo... you are wishing that a child be brought into this world to suffer a bunch of medical problems, operations and surgeries and then die prematurely. You are also hoping their family has to go through losing them at an early age so that "society" can benefit from their personalities. It is an extremely selfish and misguided view. I hope you gain some perspective because you are not helping the cause of disables children

[dharinibhammar]

Unborn babies who have disabilities who are aborted is not the same as being executed. Also, if someone is of the opinion that "cancer can change a person and make them stronger" does not mean they should wish all their friends and family get cancer just so they can become stronger. Same goes for wishing that someone you know has a baby with Down's syndrome. A baby with downs syndrome has limited life expectancy, has a terrible struggle ahead with heart diseases and lung diseases.

[aspaul65]

Great talk and presentation Jo!!

Extremely heart-warming and powerful. Thanks for highlighting some of the forgotten facts about children with disabilities!!

[sfwlovesyou]

Jo this is amazing! I had goosebumps. I hope I get to come back and see the kids again soon.

Sarah Freeman-Woolpert

[puddlejumper1955]

the saints do not blush at their own lack of conformity, but make the world blush at its lack of vision, purpose, soul.

[dashwithee]

What an inspiring talk and story! You are my 11 yr old daughter's hero.....she's a #1 supporter of her special needs classmates @ school. She possesses an unwavering expectation that they receive fair treatment from peers and teachers. I feel like she is YOU in 40 years. Thank you Mary for sharing your sister's good work w/ us!

[sidd82]

Looking great and talking even better.There's a lot to take home from your talk Jo.Thanks, i have been educated.

[sidd82]

Looking great and talking even better.There's a lot to take home from your talk Jo.Thanks, i have been educated.