"I Finally Made You Proud..."

Sent from a student who left Curry/PAL but took a part of PAL with him on his journey...

I'm writing to thank you for working with me in PAL. It's been awhile since I left Milton...and many events have transpired since.

When I enrolled (in a PA college) I issued myself a personal challenge. I was going to make it through the term without services for the learning disabled. And if you remember me in the least bit, you know that organization, note taking, and keeping track of my assignments are not among my best attributes. So I cracked open my old Summer PAL files and looked through them and made an outline of the recommendations that were made by you and the other faculty I interacted with at the program and made an outline of what I thought would make me successful. I
printed it out and taped it up on the wall and in my notebooks.

I am pleased to say that the strategy I employed finally paid off. As the term went on I accrued the best GPA I have ever attained in my academic career. Today I clicked on the grades link and saw a 3.69 in the GPA box and broke down. I finally found a way to conquer my attention deficit disorder. More importantly, I opened doors to a future with options I never had previously.

I figured I'd send you an e-mail letting you know of my success because you are directly attributed to it. These days, there is an awful lot to be pessimistic about and its always nice to receive a pat on the back for a job well done... It isn't easy to hit rock bottom and bounce back up, but it is easier when you know it is possible and someone else has done it.

"I Know This Stuff And I'm Going To Show Them"

This proud father wrote about his son's determination, persistence and self-advocacy in spite of visual-spatial and test-taking difficulties to achieve his goal of becoming a commissioned army officer.

You may recall that we spoke when it was undecided whether XXX would be sent to his Army summer program. LDAC (Leadership Development and Assessment Course) is a grueling 5 weeks in Washington state. Successful completion is a requirement for commissioning. XXX's greatest difficulty was in land navigation. Using topographical maps, plotting courses, and implementing these in the field remained a weakness. At the end of the school year, he learned that he was ranked last in his ROTC class. However, he was encouraged by his advisor's acknowledgement that as difficult as some things were for him, XXX never quit. As a result, he was allowed to go to the last regiment that began in mid-July. He spent the first four weeks of the summer studying back in Japan. The next four weeks he used to build his physical fitness and review his skills. He even spent four days in Boston working with other cadets.

The first 10 days at LDAC involve testing in a series of essential requirements and skills. Failure in any one results in a trip back home with loss of one's scholarship and no commissioning Land navigation testing at LDAC includes a written test, and field testing that takes place during the day and at night. The night test has a reputation for being particularly difficult. There are two tries for each test. For the field tests one must plot a course and locate a minimum numbers of targets, returning with proof within a strict time allotment. The terrain is rough, and various barriers require adjusting course while keeping track of one's pace count. During the night there are no lights, and no way to use geographical cues. Using only a map, compass, and flashlight one must locate a minimum of 3 out of 5 targets,

We held our breath, hoping to hear nothing until after all the requirements were done. However, the phone call we dreaded did come. XXX failed his first try at the written, but got a 90% on the second test. He passed the day test the first time. He was unsuccessful on his first attempt at the night test. On his second try, he found 3 targets. Somewhere on his way back to the starting point he fell into a hole. He hurt his leg, damaged his compass, lost his paperwork. Back at the starting point he discovered he had also lost the proof for his targets.

They asked him to which airport he would be returning. A waiver process was available to seek a 3rd try. It was at that point he called, stating: "No way they're sending me home. I know this stuff and I'm going to show them." As well he did. With the waiver accepted, he took the test a 3rd time, located all 5 targets and returned with an hour to spare. He went on to master the rope climb, another task with which he previously had difficulty. Being tear-gassed was a breeze.

He just called after returning to quasi-civilization, after spending 10 days in the field. On his overall performance he proudly proclaimed he was an average cadet. Meaning: he's as good as the rest of them, the ultimate mainstreaming. He sounds confident and proud, as well he should.

Thanks for all your encouragement.

A proud Dad!