Welcoming Children with Special Needs: Empowering Christian Special Education through Purpose, Policies, and Procedures

David’s Story
I started in the resource program in about second grade. When you are small it is hard to understand why you cannot do the things that are easy for other students. At a very young age I questioned my parents why my brain did not work like those of the other kids. Dr. Lane was a patient encourager. She would remind me that I was always making progress – which was helpful. I fully understood what the program did for me when I transferred to a school without one. I soon developed anxiety and frustration that carried over into the next few years. Dr. Lane maintained contact during that time. She was instrumental in helping my parents go through the paperwork to have me tested through the public school. I worked with a speech therapist for about four years. She used a reading series with me to help with my sound and word recognition. When I was reunited with Dr. Lane at Lutheran High, I once again felt I was in a better place. But the gaps between my academics and processing had grown. The resource program was important for me to function at a high academic pace and competitive school like Lutheran High School.
No matter how high I have gone in my schooling, I understood that I needed help. Once I graduated from Lutheran High, I tried to take community college courses without being registered with the disabilities and learning resource center. It became critical for me to have accommodations to take college classes. But my experience with the community college system disabilities and learning resource center was a disaster. I was unable to receive the accommodations I needed and it was difficult to get appointments with counselors. When I stepped onto Concordia University’s campus, things were different. The resource program was a key to the successful completion of my degree.
The programs at St. Paul’s and Lutheran High helped me become aware that God did not give me the gifts to function in a rigorous academic world. My special talents and gifts were in sculpting and art design. I needed extra time, note takers, tutors, and audio recorders. I am grateful to my parents who understood my learning challenges and were willing to help me reach goals I set for myself. It looked, for a time, that maybe I could attain my career as a product/industrial designer without having a degree. The economics of the world changed. Now many employers are requiring a degree for entry level positions. I needed the resource program at the college level to acquire a degree. My college biology teacher was helping me with extra tutoring because the information was so difficult for me to process. He remarked, “Hang in there…I understand that this is not where you are gifted, I could never do what you do in designing.” Dr. Lane understood this so well about me.
I graduated from Concordia University - Irvine with a Bachelor’s Degree in Studio Art in May of 2013. I have a certification in Modeling and Design from Irvine Valley Community College. I have accomplished more than I had ever thought possible. When I was younger, I wanted these things for myself, but during high school I thought it would be impossible. I have been involved with major corporate automotive companies and their design studios. I have been privileged to work with some outstanding people in the automobile design community. Some designers and modelers I have worked with are encouraging and each has a unique story on how they came to be.
Many people struggle just like me. These programs are perfect for Christian schools. The Christian school systems need to reach out to students that God has blessed with different talents and gifts. Academics are an obstacle. My disability is not outwardly noticeable; it is not visible to most people. But it does separate me from the average student who can function normally in a classroom. The Christian schools have a great opportunity to help students develop their talents and abilities because they understand the basis that God created us as individuals: we all contribute differently. Resource programs add that extra understanding to encourage students to keep reaching for their dreams. I would not be where I am today without the help from all the teachers, tutors, friends, and family in my education. I thank God for providing the help through all of them. For anyone who is considering teaching people with disabilities, you are going to make an impact in the lives of those people. That will be a true blessing to them and in return they will redistribute the blessings that God has provided in their personal skills and abilities.