NSTA Conference - Anaheim, CA

April 8, 2006

I was invited by some folks at the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) to be the featured speaker at the Science Education for Students with Disabilities (SESD) session, at their 2006 national conference, in Anaheim, California. The theme of my talk was Living with Tourette Syndrome in an Educational Atmosphere. Mom took pictures using my cell phone camera. Here's a shot of me at the lectern, getting started.

I couldn't believe how many of these distinguished educators approached me after my talk and said so many nice things! My talk actually sparked some curiosity in these fine teachers. Many approached me with questions on how to help their Tourette Syndrome kids. What an honor to be regarded as an "authority" figure regarding Tourette's in the classroom! If you want to know what questions were asked, click this download link. (Download - ppt)

One gentleman, Saul, teaches science to Grade 9-12 at a school for disabled Orthodox Jewish students. He told me so many inspiring stories about his students. I mean, this guy has two students that not only have Tourette Syndrome but are also deaf! He had this other student with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Most awesome part was this kid's will to live. If you haven't heard about Duchenne, it's the most severe form of Muscular Dystrophy that causes severe neuronal degeneration (in other words, your body eats your nervous system alive). Most Duchenne patients don't even make it to their teen years. The fact that this student is already thinking about college is nothing short of a miracle.

If anything, this was a gentle reminder that the personal impact of my own disability is a cakewalk, compared to so many other students. And yet, it's inspiring to see them succeed. If only everyone would recognize that....

Laureen Summers is a co-coordinator of the NSTA ENTRY POINT! program for students with disabilities majoring in science disciplines. This was our first face-to-face meeting. In spite of her own disability, she is nonetheless wonderful, funny, and intelligent.

After my early morning session, I used my conference pass to check out the exhibits at the Anaheim Convention Center. So many great things for teachers! So many teachers checking out those great things! These teachers are so lucky that their districts send them to these conferences. A must-see for all teachers K-12.

Oops! I was giving someone the OK to cross while Mom adjusted the camera. Haha, I guess she was ahead of me on that one! So we tried another pose.

It was truly a wonderful experience!