STRUGGLING WITH SERENDIPITY
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crunch time

5/15/2019

4 Comments

 
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 An important decision needed to be made.
 
Beth heard back from graduate schools. With acceptance letters from three law schools and Harvard’s Ph.D program at the School of Public Health, she narrowed down the decision to Georgetown Law in Washington, DC, or Stanford Law in California. The idea of going to graduate school in an unfamiliar place appealed to Beth, since she expected to work in DC after law school. She selected Stanford without ever visiting the campus, since she had no open weekends prior to the decision deadline. She wasn't concerned. A great school, great weather, and great outdoor pools. How could she go wrong? Beth accepted at Stanford Law, then promptly and officially deferred law school for one year, as planned four years before with Peggy. Nothing would interfere with her month in Beijing.
           
Beth’s happy news about Stanford coincided with bad news for John.
 
The first-year teachers in Newton received pink slips. Their contracts would not be renewed because of major budget cuts. We couldn’t believe it. He had National Board Certification, stellar evaluations, and 31 years of teaching experience, but only Newton seniority mattered. I updated his resume and helped him apply for teaching jobs while he finished the school year. He interviewed in Waltham and South Boston.
           
At the end of April, I met Beth at the new pub under Harvard’s Annenberg Hall. A packed crowd gathered to launch SPINALpedia, the new disability project Brittany co-founded with Josh Basile. The band Braddigan performed at the event. Beth spoke to the crowd along with another friend and two other quads, including Brittany’s dad.
           
“My goal was to create a support resource that uses the power of people’s experiences to motivate people with new injuries to adapt their lives,” Brittany said. The band’s lead singer, Brad Corrigan, added, “As a musician, I love stories that are real, and there’s nothing more real than someone sitting in a wheelchair, saying that there’s always hope.”
           
During the concert, a stranger tripped and accidentally knocked Beth’s chair over backward.
 
I moved across the room to help, not worried. She had tucked her head safely forward as she fell, chin to chest. Brittany pushed everyone out of the way, including me, before lifting Beth off the floor and back into the wheelchair. Apparently, this had happened before, and Brittany managed the situation to deter anyone inexperienced or drunk from helping. Beth teased her, and Brittany apologized to me, but there was no need. Why would I object to someone looking out for my daughter? With SPINALpedia successfully launched, the website followed, with video clips sharing individual experiences with paralysis.
 
Next: Florida and England!
4 Comments
Amy Henry link
5/19/2019 10:59:27 am

So many exciting things happening for Beth here--well, except getting tipped from her chair--but I was sorry to hear about John's pink slip. Seniority protections have been invaluable to teachers with three full years in, as it prevents them from being fired for no cause at the whims of changing admin, disgruntled parents, etc. BUT it is very hard on teachers with less than 3 years in a system. The same thing happened to me after my second year of teaching first grade. I hope John's new teaching position is happy for him.

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Cindy Kolbe link
5/24/2019 07:17:38 pm

Thanks, Amy! Technically, Beth getting tipped from her chair was exciting, too: "causing great enthusiasm and eagerness," especially after when we rushed to help! Oh, life. ;-)

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Jason Rhode link
5/23/2019 01:10:08 pm

SPINALpedia, catchy name! Beth's such a go-getter! Concerts are great fun, but, yeah, we've had some hairy moments with the drunk crowds.

Reply
Cindy Kolbe link
5/24/2019 07:24:07 pm

Yes, there are more challenges with wheelchairs than most people know!

Reply



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