Let's pick it up from where we left off... From a handicapped student point of view.
Be approachable.
My brother used to look like the terminator walking down the halls of school. He was a big dude, and no body messed with him. The only problem was he appeared totally unapproachable. His body lingo said, "...if you speak to me, I just may KILL you." He had a small close set of friends so it was not a big deal. But he did not get a lot of dates that way. I was the opposite. I always made eye contact and gave the casual s'up nod. I greeted people in the hall, and assisted whenever possible the class clown. If there was no class clown, I took on the role for the team.
Talk with other people.
The casual greeting opened many doors for me. Being handicapped made me exempt from much of the clique BS. I got along with preps, potheads, gang bangers, and nerds. This sometimes put me in a unique position to defuse tense situations. I'd say "He's cool.", and the tension would fade away. I doubt there are many people that have as wide a variety of friends as me. This is still true for me today. I try not to judge. Accepting people for who and where they are is easier.
Listen.
This is very important. Too many people never feel heard. I'm not only talking about the kid who hangs out by himself or herself, but even the so-called "popular people." Often, they have many acquaintances, and few real friends. They suffer just like everyone else. We may think some of their problems are no big deal. But to them, not getting that 4.0 is a disaster. Meet people where they are, not where we think they should be. Hear them out, and help find a solution. Just hearing a problem out loud can make a big difference.
Help others out.
I took care of the homework assignments for the whole back row in my ninth-grade English class. They loved me! Have a real concern for others. I found it always came back to me in numberless positive ways. Everyone suffers and is trying to muddle through as best they can. We have to rely on each other to make it through this thing called living. Being a rugged individual is cool in some movies, but life does not work that way. Going it alone will only make you batshit!
And last as the Dalai Lama said, Inspire Others. This does not mean being a super athlete or rock star. Simply be a friend.
Be approachable.
My brother used to look like the terminator walking down the halls of school. He was a big dude, and no body messed with him. The only problem was he appeared totally unapproachable. His body lingo said, "...if you speak to me, I just may KILL you." He had a small close set of friends so it was not a big deal. But he did not get a lot of dates that way. I was the opposite. I always made eye contact and gave the casual s'up nod. I greeted people in the hall, and assisted whenever possible the class clown. If there was no class clown, I took on the role for the team.
Talk with other people.
The casual greeting opened many doors for me. Being handicapped made me exempt from much of the clique BS. I got along with preps, potheads, gang bangers, and nerds. This sometimes put me in a unique position to defuse tense situations. I'd say "He's cool.", and the tension would fade away. I doubt there are many people that have as wide a variety of friends as me. This is still true for me today. I try not to judge. Accepting people for who and where they are is easier.
Listen.
This is very important. Too many people never feel heard. I'm not only talking about the kid who hangs out by himself or herself, but even the so-called "popular people." Often, they have many acquaintances, and few real friends. They suffer just like everyone else. We may think some of their problems are no big deal. But to them, not getting that 4.0 is a disaster. Meet people where they are, not where we think they should be. Hear them out, and help find a solution. Just hearing a problem out loud can make a big difference.
Help others out.
I took care of the homework assignments for the whole back row in my ninth-grade English class. They loved me! Have a real concern for others. I found it always came back to me in numberless positive ways. Everyone suffers and is trying to muddle through as best they can. We have to rely on each other to make it through this thing called living. Being a rugged individual is cool in some movies, but life does not work that way. Going it alone will only make you batshit!
And last as the Dalai Lama said, Inspire Others. This does not mean being a super athlete or rock star. Simply be a friend.
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