tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052050523351394.post935993257293564737..comments2023-10-03T20:58:22.216-05:00Comments on Peni Griffin - Idea Garage Sale: Idea Garage Sale: The Sequel to Switching WellPeni R. Griffinhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01781761011389542245noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052050523351394.post-55012963082597946442011-07-06T09:29:34.856-05:002011-07-06T09:29:34.856-05:00John, I think the difference between "uneduca...John, I think the difference between "uneducated" and "unable-to-educate" would show up drastically in a direct comparison. The thing about mental retardation is, that the mental processes work so differently that it's impossible to tell if terms like "intelligence" and "stupidity" even apply. An experienced retarded person is capable of some pretty canny behavior, if allowed to develop his own strengths; which is one reason people like Rosesharon do better in families than in institutions.<br /><br />And oh, hi, Margo! I'd completely forgotten I'd posted on your BACC. I'm kind of a drive-by commenter, so I'm glad you sought me out. Makes me feel valued and all. Ramona is getting even more Ramonaish, I see! Love Arlo's hair.Peni R. Griffinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01781761011389542245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052050523351394.post-71515680181878191802011-07-05T17:16:43.908-05:002011-07-05T17:16:43.908-05:00Hi Peni,
You left a comment on my blog a little w...Hi Peni,<br /><br />You left a comment on my blog a little ways back and I'm not sure you saw my response, but: I just wanted to let you know how surprised and delighted I was to learn that you were the author of Switching Well! I read that book when it first came out, when I was in middle school, and I still apparently think of it all these 16+ years later. Literally days before your comment, I found myself out of nowhere recalling specific bits from the book-- the watery skim milk, the idea of cars as suffocating metal boxes, "divorce" being a scandalous word that only grownups knew. How uncanny! <br /><br />So it seems your story is still popping its head up around in my brain somewhere, and it's a treat to run into your internet self as well!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9052050523351394.post-81018851644794704662011-07-02T11:02:09.798-05:002011-07-02T11:02:09.798-05:00I was not satisfied by Flowers for Algernon, and I...I was not satisfied by Flowers for Algernon, and I suspect it would take a special education teacher to write a really lifelike story about awakening from mental retardation -- and I would never ask one to look directly at such a painfully impossible fantasy.<br /><br />Then again, it would have some similarities with the experiences of my Ethiopian children, who were intelligent but whose education had been limited -- especially in how they were able to catch up in some things, but not all.John M. Burthttp://john_m_burt.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com