Larry on HR 1350

HR 1350, IDEA, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act was first introduced on 3/19/03, by 19 sponsors. This bill has become a boilerplate piece of legislation, which serves as a basis for virtually all legislation regarding children with learning disabilities. Throughout the years the bill has undergone many revisions and amendments. These efforts to update and revitalize HR 1350 IDEA, continue to this day, and are already being planned for the future. This "backbone" legislation has incorporated the spirit of  NCLBA,
the No Child Left Behind Act, demanded higher qualifications for special education teachers, insisted on IEP's, Individual Education Plans for special needs students, and supported additional educational research. The bill has not solved all of the special education problems associated with children with learning disabilities. However, this landmark legislation continues to this day to be the most comprehensive on the topic and has stood the test of time.

The policy impact of  HR 1350 has affected every public school in the country. Schools were mandated to change the way they viewed, and taught children with learning disabilities. Many millions of dollars have
already been spent, and many millions more will be spent, as the bill continues to be reworked, and amended further in the years to come.

It is my sincere hope that you will be touched by my story to the point that you are willing to step up and advocate on behalf of legislation to help children with learning disabilities.

Larry With Springfield College President Richard B. Flynn...So What's it Got To Do With Advocacy???

 

Photo courtesy of Springfield College

 The movie "Field of Dreams" asks the question: "So what's it got to do with baseball?" And you might ask the question "What does baseball have to do with advocacy?" The answer is simple, for me, baseball has become a key which has opened many doors. When I was laid off from my job in the textile industry, all I wanted to do was get another job. I had an opportunity, along with other laid-off textile workers, to take advantage of the Trade Adjustment Act (TAA), a government program designed to retrain workers who lost jobs as a result of various government Trade Acts.  One of the retraining options was completing one's education. 

It had been 40 years since I had flunked out of college, but I had recently discovered my learning disabilities, and now there are ways to deal with them. I was not seeking any fame or notoriety, I just needed a job. Even when I started school, all I want to do was "pass," I just wanted a college diploma. My success in school academically was immediate. For the first time in my life I actually enjoyed school. I ended my first semester with all "A"s, and found myself on the Dean's List. I mentioned the irony of the situation; that I was for the first time in my life academically eligible to play sports, but was too old, to my advisor and English literature professor, who offered the quote from Albert Einstein "Only those who attempt the absurd can achieve the impossible." 

The next thing I knew I found myself sitting in the baseball coach's office, asking if I could tryout for the team. While making no guarantees, he said that I would be given the same opportunities as any other student. At 58 years old I was working out with kids ranging in age from 18 to 23, and ended up making the Junior Varsity Baseball Team at Springfield College. A deluge of publicity followed these events, including newspaper articles, an ESPN story, radio interviews from Boston to San Francisco to Canada, TV spots on Channel 22 Springfield, Fox 6, Channel 7 Boston, and ABC 40, and an extensive video and story on Boston.com in association with a lavish Boston Globe article. President Flynn came to baseball games to watch me pitch, and when we met, we spent most of our time together talking about baseball. 

When I realized that my story was being used as an inspiration for children in reading centers and dyslexic clinics across the country, and that I had been offered opportunities to tell my story at various speaking engagements, I decided to make the most of it, with the idea of advocating for children with learning disabilities, and letting them know, with myself as an example, that with the understanding of their particular disability, and perseverance, that they too could achieve the "impossible,"as long as they never give up.

Associated Press WWPL Video

Don't Be Afraid To Lead The Way.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Matlack

Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of committed individuals can change the world. It is the only thing that ever has." Her words of wisdom, are an invitation to become involved in what you believe in. They are a challenge to us to learn more about the issue of supporting and helping children with learning disabilities, and to turn that knowledge into energy, time, commitment, and advocacy.

It's All About Teamwork.

Photo courtesy of Ryan Matlack

When I stepped onto the mound, in the last inning of the last game of the year, the entire infield came over and joined me. It was one of the most touching moments of my life.  I knew then, that they saw me, not as an old man trying to fulfill a long-lost dream, but as a teammate. I could feel their energy and excitement. I knew that they would work together to do whatever they could to support me. And I knew, that maybe 40 years ago I could've struck out the side, but I knew on that day, that in order for me to pitch a scoreless inning, that I needed my teammates. I knew that I couldn't do it by myself, but I knew that together we could do it as a team.

Larry With Governor Romney

Photo courtesy of Mitt Romney

Then governor of Massachusetts, and now presidential candidate, Mitt Romney, supported me in my run for state representative. He took the time to listen to what I had to say. Nobody agrees with anyone about everything. But, that doesn't mean that people of goodwill can't sit down and discuss the issues. Party politics in this country has become too divisive. Nevertheless, it is important to create and maintain the dialogue. 

During my long career as a voter, and my brief career as a politician, serving as a Selectman in my small town of North Brookfield, and running for State Representative in the 5th Worcester District of Massachusetts, I learned that most people, even most politicians, want people to have jobs that earn a living wage, have equal opportunities in all facets of life, have healthcare, and have food on the table for their families. 

In my view, party affiliation, and its associated pressure has become a huge problem. Additionally, Senate and House Representatives, have turned their positions into lifelong jobs. I would advocate for reasonable term limits, which I believe would  go along way toward eliminating much of the corruption, and complacency that we presently see in government. Good advocacy in government demands that we reach out and get to know the people representing us.

Sometimes It's Okay To Snarl

Photo courtesy of Ryan Matlack

The snarl on my face does not mean that I am mad, it means that I am a fierce competitor and that I love baseball. This feeling is easily transferred to issues that we care about, and that are important to us. We are allowed to feel mad, or upset, or outraged that the services that we would like to see made available to children with learning disabilities are inadequate or insufficient to meet the needs of this population. Our personal outrage can be a source of energy and power in the advocacy battle.

ABC 40 Video

Advocacy Through Baseball: Senator Brewer

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

Massachusetts State Senator, Stephen M. Brewer, who serves the Worcester, Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin District, leaves Larry on the mound after throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the baseball game commemorating the 350th anniversary of the Quabog Plantation on the North Brookfield common.

Although I have known Senator Brewer for years, he took the time to cut out an article about my baseball story from the Boston Globe and mail it to me, along with a very nice personal letter. 

Senator Brewer is a consummate politician. He attends countless events throughout the year, and is always willing to listen, and advocates in the State Senate for many of the wishes of his constituency. As good advocates for what we believe in, we need to get to know our local politicians, our state reps and state senators and our congressional representatives and senators. It takes time, and dedication, and commitment, but if we seek results, this is the kind of advocacy that is absolutely necessary.

Boston Globe Video

Sharing Information on Advocacy for Children with Learning Disabilities

Photo courtesy of Diane Orlando

Spending time talking about the issues with concerned parties is one of the best ways to generate enthusiasm, and recruit potential volunteers to help with the cause. I always take every opportunity to stress the importance of understanding your cause, and of knowing who your legislators are, and of keeping them informed, and seeking their support.

Always Remember The Little Ones

Photo courtesy of the Boston Globe

As a "picture thinker" I have many vivid memories of my childhood, the good times, as well as the difficult times. Many of these picture memories have helped to inspire me to want to help make a difference in the lives of people with similar problems to those I faced growing up.  I have always been drawn to working with children and adolescents. Now my baseball story has unlocked the door for me to be a powerful advocate on behalf of children with learning disabilities.

Graduation Day: The Impossible Dream Becomes True

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

After flunking out of college twice, 40 years previously, because of my then undiscovered learning disabilities, I had the honor of walking in the Springfield College graduation ceremony in May of 2011. I graduated Summa Cum Laude, with a perfect 4.0 straight A grade point average. I am wearing the gold honor cords, signifying that distinction, as well as honor cords from Who's Who Among American College and University Students, and from the Pi Gamma Mu International Honor Society for Human Services. I also received the Springfield College Humanics Award. 

This accomplishment was all the more poignant considering the frustration, shame, and hurt which I suffered for most of my life as a result of having dyslexia (can't read), dysgraphia (can't write), dyscalculia (can't do simple math), and Attention-Deficit /Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).

My college education, changed my life forever.

Family Members After The Final Game Of The Season

Photo courtesy of Sophia Hasenfus

The dream would not have been possible for me without the loving support of my family. Pictured here are family members who were able to attend the final game of my college baseball career. My son Nathaniel, (far left) hooked me up with Dragon Naturally Speaking computer voice recognition software, which enabled me to speak into my computer in order to "write" all of my college papers,and in fact this blog. My wife Karen, (3rd from left) read most of my assignments to me, because of my dyslexia. My 87-year-old father, (5th from left) stopped at ballfields wherever we went to play catcher for me as I honed my pitching skills.

The Gift Of Dyslexia

I was first introduced to The Gift of Dyslexia, by Ron Davis at the end of a social work seminar on learning disabilities, about 7 years ago. At that time I had only recently learned for certain that I had dyslexia myself. This was in spite of the irrefutable evidence of my stumbling through anything that I attempted to read, mixing up the order of phone numbers, spelling words with the letters mixed up, and even writing words on the paper from my thoughts, that were not even needed until four or five words, or even the next sentence later.

These problems have led to a great deal of self-examination, and the development of many coping skills along the way. I still circle my mistakes when writing and go back to try to understand why I might have put a certain word or letter in the place that I did.

The Gift of Dyslexia immediately caught my eye among the many books on the table for sale. One of the letters in the title was backwards, and I had an urge to pull out my pen and circle it. Amidst a throng of people there, poring over the various books, I decided that I should first buy the book, and do any circling on the cover after I got home. Seven years later I've never read the book cover to cover. The list of books I have read cover to cover in my entire life is a short and cherished list. I have, however, spent many hours reading bits and pieces here and there and using it as a resource guide. I have recommended the book to many people, and I continue to recommend it to anyone with an interest in dyslexia. It has given me a great deal of comfort and perspective over the years. I learned from putting the link on this blog that The Gift of Dyslexia is now available on a CD, and I intend to acquire one myself.

I am struck by the wide range of difficulties that dyslexics have symptomatically, and by the range of other diagnosable problems that seem to go hand-in-hand with dyslexia. For example approximately 30% of dyslexics also have ADHD (attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder), including myself. Each different disorder accompanying dyslexia brings its own unique "twist" to the problem. I highly recommend this book to anyone with dyslexia, or to parents of dyslexic children, and to educators in the field.

Larry H Advocacy Blog: About Me

Larry H Advocacy Blog: About Me

I welcome your thoughts and comments on learning differences especially where children are concerned.

How can you help ?

I am interested in learning more about advocacy efforts on behalf of people, especially children, with learning differences that you might be aware of, and like to share.

Various venues may include; school systems, nonprofit agencies, government, religious organizations, and the workplace.

You can learn more about legislation that supports kids with learning disabilities here.  There are a number of ways to get involved and to learn more about the laws.

About Me

I am currently working with children with learning disabilities in the Worcester County, Massachusetts area. I would like to advocate on their behalf and on behalf of children with learning disabilities.

My interest in this topic stems from my own learning disabilities which were undiscovered for most of my life.

At age 58, after finally learning what my own problems were, I went to Springfield College and earned my bachelors degree with the help of a reader, and Dragon Naturally Speaking voice recognition software to help write my papers. I graduated summa cum laude with a 4.0 GPA. I made the junior varsity baseball team and played with kids 19 and 20 years old. During that time my story became national news and I became an inspiration for older people to go back to school and complete their education, and especially for children with learning disabilities, to never give up.

Welcome!

Welcome to my Advocacy Blog. Please come back to visit again, and join me in advocating for children with learning differences.