va (ON ATIMUDE AND PERSPECTIVE You'll Be Good for Him Uheacd the rhythmic clatter of metal crutches com down the halway.TTocked up tose ton yeae old bank smiling at me inthe docrvay his bond ha oased Bec dy, Brian arived a schol cher and eay tenes Bian tad great ene of humor an loved is on Jokes He was my fist “handicapped student Evens ‘who worked with Bran fold me, Nol be goed fo Rags Brian worked with the adaptive phyakal ede ey teacher and swam tree mornings a week He kepts hay Schoolday schedule. Everything he did reine ners eto than forthe oer stedentg One day, Brian agred to talk tothe class about his handicap The students liked Brian and wondered whee hed afer school Ie tld them that he watched» et TV. played with his dog Dian ft proud to bea Ca Scout and enjoyed being « member The students then asked him why he used diferent Paper anda special magnifying les and lamp. he reid rian explained that he hed a taking protien: aed that he could see beterout ofone eye thanthe hers foing to have another eye operation, he sid coal ised tot. eae had ok operations He eghel CON ATTTUDE AND PeRSPECTIE us nervously, adjusting his thick-lens glasses. Brian had | slready had two hip surgeries, two ankle surgeries and two eye surgeries Tan explained how he'd been trained to fall when he Jost his balance, so that he wouldn't hurt himselé.Iflt badly shen he fell but he did't fuss. [admired his fortitude. He said he often felt lft out, then somebody asked if people ever made fun of hin. He replied that he'd been called every name you could think of but that he usually | tried to ignore it Tasked Bran ihe ever became discourged "Welt tell you the tthe sali do, Sometimes get ealy mad cant do something Sometimes Leven "kts point Leded the discussion. 16 the important ueston ad bon ansnere The students appt “Con you walkatallwithout your ertches?™ one ofthe © boys shouted. “eal,” he said shyly. Would you ike to walk for us?" I asked him gently. Yeah! Come on, Brian. You can doit” several students shouted, “Well—T guess,” he answered reluctantly. Brian removed his crutches and balanced himself, He proceeded to walk awkwardly across the room. ‘I look like a drunk,” he muttered, It wasn't smooth, but Brian walked on his own, Everyone clapped and shouted. “That's great, Brian” I placed my hand on his shoulder. Brian laughed nervously while had to hold back tears. ‘is honesty and courage touched me.I then realized that ‘maybe T wasn't as good for rian ashe was good for me- forall of us. Eugene Gagliano