Jennifer Johnson
The spark that ignited my LOVE for SPECIAL EDUCATION
It was 1990, I was in 4th grade and Jennifer changed my life. This is were it all began.
Jennifer had Spina Bifida and used glasses to see and hearing aids to hear. At the time, I had no real idea of what all this meant. I just knew we used sign language to talk to each other and she looked cool in her sweet glasses. At school, she most often used her wheelchair, but sometimes used her crutches to get around. I loved her immediately and we became fast friends. As 4th graders do, we started talking about spending the night at each other’s house. I’d had numerous friends to my house and I spent many a night in someone else’s house. It simply did not occur to me that Jennifer couldn’t easily do the same.
I can only imagine the long, detailed conversations my mom must have had with her mom about medications, emergency procedures, communication, routines, etc. I’m sure there were protocols, lists, and pictures to go with all the rules.
We lived in this itty-bitty house that you could walk a complete circle in. With 2 little girls, we had a phone cord that could wrap around the entire house, probably twice. Jennifer couldn’t use her wheelchair in our tiny house, she was forced to rely on her crutches. That night, she got all wrapped in the telephone cord and face-planted in the middle of the hallway. It hadn’t occurred to us that it was a hazard that Jennifer couldn’t see well enough to avoid. She woke up in the middle of the night screaming from a migraine. She didn’t have her glasses on or her hearing aids in and couldn’t see us or hear us as we were desperately trying to soothe her. Eventually, I did talk to her in sign language and she went back to sleep. Then I spent the night sitting on her bed watching her to make sure she was okay.
After a long night, we were determined to hit the movies the next day. Handicapped tag in hand, we were off to see The Jetsons. I remember thinking we were hot stuff because got to sit in the front row – it was the only way Jennifer could see the movie. It didn’t occur to me until much later how many accommodations were required to allow Jennifer to simply enjoy a day out at the movie theater. All I knew that day was that I was out doing normal girly things with my best friend and we were making memories! Memories that could come to change and shape my life forever.
When I spent the night at her house, everything just seemed normal. At the time, her house seemed huge. It was wide open, wide halls, no doors, and no stairs. Jennifer was free to go wherever she wanted however she wanted. No drama, no struggling with equipment, no screaming, no tripping on phone cords. Her family created a life for Jennifer where she could be herself and had the freedom she deserved. Her home was her safe place, something I now try to provide my own children.
I am absolutely positive my memory of these events is fuzzy and lacking in detail. What I know absolutely is that this relationship has shaped my life in a way neither one of us could’ve predicted. These memories, albeit a bit fuzzy, built a foundation in me that would guide my education, career, and family forever. A foundation grounded in, patience, empathy, tenacity, grace, and compassion. A belief that all things are possible and that no hurdle is too hard to overcome.
As a mom, I simply cannot imagine what Jennifer’s mom and my mom felt when this event was scheduled. My mom was probably a nervous freaking wreck, I would be – and I have training!!! My mom worked in a bank and had never ever dealt with any of these things – sign language, hearing aids, seizures, medications, braces, wheelchairs…the list goes on. Her mom was probably elated. Nervous and anxious for sure, but elated. Perhaps she could breathe for one night (probably not, but we can hope). Perhaps she could sleep in and spend a few more minutes snuggling with her husband before duty called. Maybe she went for a long walk the next morning or just sat on her porch enjoying peace and a cup of coffee. Maybe she knew and believed Jennifer could be included in a way that seemed so far out of reach.
As I mom, I have yet to experience this. I simply cannot imagine. I cannot imagine the amount of courage and strength it took Jennifer’s mom. I cannot imagine the prep that would be needed, the never-ending anxiety, the thousands of glances at my phone, and the sleepless night that would occur. The sacrifices required to allow our children to experience “normal” are endless and incredible!
Neither Jennifer, nor her mom, will ever know just how much that one night changed the life of so many! After our weekends together, I told my mom I was going to be a special education teacher and I’ve never looked back!
Dear Jennifer,
I want you to know you’ve changed this world. I know how much our friendship changed and shaped me; I can only hope I changed your world too. I hope you’ve lived an incredible life and continue to change the lives of those around you! I wish you well, friend!
Forever in my heart,
Maria
