Summer 2008
It seemed a tall order for a boy with so many difficulties to attend a mainstream school. But Samir – and all his teachers and friends at the school – got so much out of the experience. Patricia Gibbons, Advisory teacher for deafblind and multi-sensory impaired children, tells the story…
It was the end of an era for Samir and Broad Oak Primary School in Manchester when he left in July. He is moving on to high school, full of excitement, enthusiasm and some trepidation for the future. He is sad to have left Broad Oak, but has many happy memories, a sense of achievement, huge self confidence and an awareness of being cherished and loved by all those who have worked and played with him.
Samir started at Broad Oak, his neighbourhood school, in year three. His mum was anxious for him to be part of his local community and attend the school his sister and cousins go to (and where she went as a girl).
As a bright, but anxious deafblind lad, with other complex difficuties, he had a substantial team to go to school with him - intervenors, specialist lunch time support, mobility instructor, a teacher with a visual impairment specialism, and co-ordination from an MSI teacher. And then there was all the specialist kit: auditory training unit, radio aid, speech output computer system, brailler, tactile books, personal care equipment…what a lot for a school to take on.
All the staff were nervous, possibly even thinking this was madness - though they never said so to us. Sheila Marchant, the Head feared it couldn’t work, and doubted it was possible to create a good learning experience for him. His year three teacher Masooma summed it up: “I was petrified. I had no idea how I could cope, or meet his needs along with the rest of the class.”
But she, and the school, took it all on brilliantly.
We were lucky that there was a room free in what used to be the caretaker’s bungalow, so Samir had his own learning environment. But much of his time he was based in the classroom, with buddies eager and willing to work alongside him. They made space for his materials; encouraged other pupils to read aloud to him using the radio system during the ERIC (everyone read in class) times; set up special activities for him with other pupils; and never forgot to arrange special access and support on museum visits and outings.
Samir participated in everything - including school shows, musical events, parties and outings. People in the community feel they know him and have greeted him in shops because their granddaughter has talked about him, or because they have met him in school. In short, the staff, children and families all embraced both Samir and his team as partners and friends. “Having him in my class was one of the most amazing experiences of my teaching career,” says Massoma.
Samir’s most recent class teacher, Sue, is making a video as a permanent record of his time in the school because “he has contributed so much” she says. His year five teacher, Sandra, echoed this: “He has had such a positive impact on the whole class. It has made them more caring. I love the way he joins in with everything. I’ll will miss him”.
We have seen children learning sighted guiding skills, brailling, learning to patiently support and communicate, and not to be just a little minder. “When other people are laughing, he joins in,“ says Libby. “He’s kind and caring, he makes us cards for our birthdays and when we’re ill and we come back he gives us a big hug.”
Maleeha tells a story: “Once he was walking on pebbles and he pretended to fall. He shouted ‘help me, I’m in the dungeon’ and I said ‘I’m here, I’ve rescued you’. He said ‘Thank you, you’re such a hero’ ”.
So, thank you Broad Oak, staff, pupils and friends. You have made a world of difference to one little boy with love and friendship and fun – the best of gifts. Sheila’s comment now – “he’s a star”. Well, Sheila, it is your school that has helped him shine.
Sonia’s take
Samir’s older sister is Sonia. Recently she talked to a group of parents about her experiences.
“Having a blind and partially deaf sibling has changed my life in many ways, but all for the good.
I have become more aware of safety around the house because of Samir’s disability. Even the slightest thing being out of place could put him under discomfort. Being his big sister I have so much love and affection for Samir, and always try my best to give him what he needs. Also I have a partially sighted big sister so as a child I have had to grow up quite fast to help my mum cope.
I think Samir’s disability hasn’t changed the person he was before his sight was lost. Even though Samir is a little person he has a big heart and enormous personality. He has a heart of gold and you can’t help but just love him for it. He looks out for me, like any other brother would. If I stay out late at my friends’ houses, even if it is about one in the morning Samir won’t be settled until he knows I am home safe.
Having Samir at Broad Oak Primary School when I was there was a very good thing. I think he influenced many children and showed them that even if you had a disability you could still enjoy school and make many friends and just learn to love it. A lot of kids welcomed Samir and made him feel part of the school very quickly and he made many friends. I was happy to leave Broad Oak knowing Samir was safe and happy.
I am always trying to find out if there is any way of curing my little brother’s disability. There has always been a part of me that has thought, why is this happening to my little brother, why is he going through this pain when he hasn’t done anything wrong and I just wish I could carry the pain for him. But I believe that everything happens for a reason and also God gives the people who he thinks are the strongest and will cope best the hardest lives.
I would just like to say the way I have my little brother is perfect and I would never change him, not even for the world.”
