VOICE OF THE PEOPLE

MADE MY DAY

Re: “VIDEO: ‘Autism makes me good': Looking at autism through the eyes of a child in Atlantic Canada,” April 1.

The smiling photo of Hugh Garber was a light that made my day when the world is not so cheerful right now. Kudos to Hugh's parents, who have instilled in him a great sense of self esteem and the understanding that individual differences are qualities to be admired and to build on.

I always thought my role as a special educator was defined beautifully by that word, because every day I was privileged to spend time with students whose differences indeed made them unique, with their own strengths, talents and sense of worth.

Sadly, one thing rings perpetually true in Hugh's mother's observation that when it comes to his education in the public school, it is a “problem of resources ... not a deficit in intentions or skills” (of teachers) when it comes to accessing support. Having served on provincial task forces, having taught education students at the university level, having presented to school boards and having been an advocate for special needs students over the years, my observation is that too little has changed.

Specialized training to help teachers deal with the myriad of individual needs in today's mainstreamed classrooms, support personnel and budgets for teaching materials and resources are all limited commodities.

The additional preparation time for crafting individual program plans and much needed meetings with parents and specialists stretch the limits of classroom teachers trying to provide for students with learning challenges.

Such were the concerns voiced in the 1980s/90s, yet here we are in 2020, fighting the same uphill battle.

Hugh, you rock, man! How about sharing your favourite mac'n'cheese recipe with your Herald readers? Lynne Danson-barkhouse, Chester

LIVES IN DANGER

Re: federal Fisheries Minister Bernadette Jordan still planning to open the lobster fishery.

It's Russian roulette with fishermen.

Everyone, including the prime minister, every federal and provincial minister of health and every premier in Canada, has the same, clear message: Stay home.

Every country that Canada exports lobsters to is under lockdown. As for domestic markets, a large part of our workforce is on unemployment. Buying a luxury food like lobster is the last item on peoples' minds.

We have not reached the peak of the pandemic and now they want three and four people to rub shoulders for nine weeks to spread the virus in small fishing villages and endanger our families.

Maybe the honourable minister is stricken with that dreaded DFO disease — convenient amnesia. Show some leadership!

Jerry Creamer, Phillips Harbour