We Will Get By, We Will Survive

Thoughts on a famous Dead song, and how to be an inclusionist in a time of isolation.

Apr 10, 2020

Photo by Kristopher Roller on Unsplash [image] person holding a lit sparkler out above the water; they are submerged except for their hand

Hey, Y’all!

At the risk of sounding overly optimistic, this is the first week that I am starting to feel hopeful. And it is not that our situation has changed, or even getting that much better. I think my mindset is changing.

[GIF Description] a clip from Viceland, an older man with long white hair and grey beard saying, “I would describe myself as being hopeful but not overwhelmingly confident.”

Recently I have had conversations with friends and colleagues about what good can come of out of this challenging situation. But I realize there is already good coming out of it.

Not since 9/11 have I seen neighbors and communities come together to help people in need and give comfort. I’m not saying things aren’t bad, but there is definitely good in the world.

Silver Linings

My family and I have been watching a lot of YouTube together because ya know - quarantine. But one of the best things we have come across is John Krasinski’s Some Good News.

With 14 million views of the first episode already, chances are you have seen this or know about it. But here is the thing, I think Some Good News hits on something for which we are all searching. We are looking for hope. We are looking for something to get excited about and look forward to. And the stories that are highlighted in these episodes are exactly what we need to remind ourselves.

When I was prepping for this newsletter, I was thinking about silver linings, but that seemed a little too cliche. Since I have been listening to a lot of music, I opted for referencing a Grateful Dead song. Now, I am not a Deadhead by any stretch of the imagination, but I do love the song ‘Touch of Grey.’ And the lyrics of the song rang true for me.

Verse
I know the rent is in arrears
The dog has not been fed in years
It's even worse than it appears
but it's all right.
Oh well a Touch Of Grey
Kind of suits you anyway.
That was all I had to say
It's all right.
Chorus
I will get by / I will get by
I will get by / I will survive
We will get by / We will get by
We will get by / We will survive

I’m also not an expert on song meanings, and I know this was not written for our current situation, but I’d like to think that as educators, parents, and human beings, we can sing this chorus together and feel some hope even if there is a touch of grey.

Inclusion in a Time of Isolation

So what should an inclusionist be focused on right now? For most of us, we aren’t able to leave the house. Advocating for the Least Restrictive Environment doesn’t seem to be as urgent right now. Are there things that we can be doing to prepare us for when we are back in schools and things are back to the way they were?

I had a great conversation about this with Torrie Dunlap, CEO of Kids Included Together. She mentioned that for many people with disabilities, social distancing has been a way of life, and one that was not by choice. She wrote about it in a blog post on the KIT website called Social Distancing Teaches Us How Kids With Disabilities Feel.

The practice of “social distancing” when it’s a personal preference feels natural. But, for children with disabilities, being isolated from others is not a preference, but a way of life that has been forced upon them by an inaccessible society. There are many ways that kids with disabilities are isolated from other kids, at school, and in the community.

This is why it is important for people who advocate for inclusion to use this time of isolation to get ready for whatever is next. There is a good chance that education will not look the same when we all get back to school. So now that the educational landscape has been disrupted, what kind of schools do we want?

When I talk to families and educators who want to see inclusion move forward where they are, I recommend creating a vision for their children and students. Now would be a great time to start working on your vision.

If you are an educator, how do you want your classroom to look different when you get back? What resources can you find that will prepare you to be a better teacher and advocate?

If you are parent of a child with a disability, what is your vision for your child? What is the next best step toward inclusion? What is one thing that you can work on right now to help you get there?

There are plenty of options for online training for parents and educators. I’ll highlight a few here.

Kids Included Together - Inclusion Training for Educators

Inclusive Schooling - The Inspired Advocate Training for Parents

Partners in Policymaking - Education

And if you would rather get a book instead of taking an online course, I would suggest these titles.

Inclusion in Action: Practical Strategies to Modify Your Curriculum

Your Special Education Rights: What Your School District Isn't Telling You

Wrightslaw: From Emotions to Advocacy: The Special Education Survival Guide

However you choose to spend this time, I hope that you find something that builds you up. And you don’t focus too much on what we can’t control.

We will get by. We will survive.