The park bench was deserted as I sat down to read
Beneath the long, straggly branches of an old willow tree.
Disillusioned by life with good reason to frown,
For the world was intent on dragging me down.

And if that weren't enough to ruin my day,
A young boy out of breath approached me, all tired from play.
He stood right before me with his head tilted down
And said with great excitement, "Look what I found!"

In his hand was a flower, and what a pitiful sight,
With its petals all worn - not enough rain, or too little light.
  Wanting him to take his dead flower and go off to play,
I faked a small smile and then shifted away.

But instead of retreating he sat next to my side
And placed the flower to his nose
And declared with overacted surprise,
"It sure smells pretty and it's beautiful, too.

That's why I picked it; here, it's for you."
The weed before me was dying or dead.
Not vibrant of colors: orange, yellow or red.
But I knew I must take it, or he might never leave.

So I reached for the flower, and replied, "Just what I need."
But instead of him placing the flower in my hand,
He held it mid-air without reason or plan.
It was then that I noticed for the very first time
That weed-toting boy could not see: he was blind.

I heard my voice quiver; tears shone in the sun
As I thanked him for picking the very best one.
You're welcome," he smiled, and then ran off to play,
Unaware of the impact he'd had on my day.

I sat there and wondered how he managed to see
A self-pitying woman beneath an old willow tree.
How did he know of my self-indulged plight?
Perhaps from his heart, he'd been blessed with true sight.

 Through the eyes of a blind child, at last I could see
The problem was not with the world; the problem was me.
And for all of those times I myself had been blind,
I vowed to see the beauty in life,
And appreciate every second that's mine.

And then I held that wilted flower up to my nose
And breathed in the fragrance of a beautiful rose
  And smiled as I watched that young boy,
Another weed in his hand,
About to change the life of an unsuspecting old man.

Anonymous
I would like to acknowledge the following site for this beautiful poem

The most beautiful flower

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GENERAL SPECIAL EDUCATION LINKS

COUNTRY TEACHER...Links, information and insights into teaching in country New South Wales. Wayne Patterson is a Country Organiser of the New South Wales Teachers Federation based in Bathurst , New South Wales, Australia.

NSW TEACHERS FEDERATION WEBSITE...Web site for the New South Wales Teachers Federation. Links to other unions and relevant sites. Provides latest news in the Federation and much more..

Awesome Library... Just as the title suggests, this is truly awesome. So much for everyone, kids, teachers and parents. Suitable for both special and mainstream classes.

MARC'S PAGES...This is one of my favourite pages. A huge variety of great links, superb lesson plans and more.

Jerome's Special Education Links

Special Ed. Resources...

Special Education Resources on the Internet...

Special Educators Webpage

Thinkin Things in Special Ed....

IEPs???...Understanding the Individualized Education Program (I.E.P.) is essential to maximizing special education services for students with learning disabilities. Informative articles plus useful forms to help parents and educators make the most of the I.E.P. process. A wealth of information

Vicnet Special Education Links...

The Special Education Homepage...Links to a broad range of topics, resources and special education issues. Information for parents and teachers. The main focus is on specific disabilities, with many links provided.

Sped Online...Special Education resources and links

Education Australia Web Directory...The largest education web directory in Australia

Australian Curriculum Corporation...Lesson plans for a variety of grades and subjects. Aimed at mainstream classes but many can be modified to suit special groups. A collaborative projects section assists students and teachers to develop collaborative internet-based projects. Classroom activites section covers a variety of teaching and learning approaches.

Special Education Links ...Links to a variety of Special Education sites

Exworthy Education Links...For teachers, parents and children. Resources and links. Not restricted to special education though provides some great resources for same. You really must visit here if you haven't already.

Spedex - Special Education resources and links.

Adjustment to blindness and visual impairment....This website is devoted to changing what it means to be blind through the promotion of the human potential to successfully adjust to and live with blindness and visual impairment. It is meant for the blind, the visually impaired, professionals involved with this population such as vocational rehabilitation counselors or therapists, teachers and educators of the blind and visually impaired, families and friends interested in adjustment to vision loss, all those interested in peer counseling and blindness, individuals looking for information or guidance or suggestions or materials or adaptive equipment or consumer groups or etc.

Special Ed....This Webpage provides detailed lessons and information to teachers and parents regarding successful techniques used with special education children. It provides details and lists appropriate grade level.

ATTENTION DEFICIT DISORDER LINKS

One ADD Place... a complete resource and well worth the visit.

Attention Deficit Disorder...

Attention Deficit Disorder for Teachers

Attention Deficit Disorder - Diagnosis and Treatment... An Overview and definition of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder; articles of interest on topics including Treatment and Diagnosis.

DYSLEXIA

Dyslexia - The Gift...Join us as we explore the positive talents that give rise to dyslexia, and share our knowledge about the best ways for dyslexic people to learn.

DOWNS SYNDROME

Downs Syndrome Association...Accurate and updated information on living with Downs Syndrome.

Upside... An informal society of individuals, parents, and friends involved with the world of Down Syndrome.Also links to further information on Downs Syndrome

The Downs Syndrome WWW Page...Health issues, resources, educational issues and more on Downs Syndrome.

Downsnet...Links, duscussion forums, International Down syndrome organisations directory and resources.

Downs Syndrome Page...

TRANSITION

Transition Resources for Exceptional Young Adults...

Special Education Transition...School to work training and life skills - resources and lesson plans.

NOONANS SYNDROME

Noonan Syndrome Society...You've probably never heard of this condition, millions of others have not either, but it is very real and it may affect someone you know - it may affect your family! There may be 50,000 people in the UK alone with Noonan Syndrome. Each day 1 child is born with the condition. It's possible that 1:100 people carry the gene yet are virtually unaffected and undiagnosed. Once affected there is a 50/50 chance of passing the gene on to one or more of their children. It can also occur sporadically, out of the blue.

Noonan Suppport Group...

AUTISM - SOME USEFUL LINKS

Autism Picture Page...This page is chocca full of pics that will certainly cast a shadow of doubt on some of the myths about autism

Our Place...

The Autism Resources Page...

Autism...

Autism Resources...

Resources for Your Autistic Student...

Autism ...

The Autistic Society of America...

Ooops....Wrong Planet Syndrome...Very comprehensive and covers a variety of disorders and special educational situations

Center for the Study of Autism...This page is a must see page... A wealth of information on autism and related disorders.

ASPERGERS

Social Skills Teaching ..."Social Stories and Comic Strip Conversations are an ingenious technique for helping people with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. They are rapidly becoming a significant component of the school curriculum for such children..........". This is an excellent site belonging to Tony Attwood. Covers an extensive range of information and resources on Autism and Asbergers. Hard to find information, research and support. Tony Attwood has his own diagnostic and treatment clinic in Queensland, Australia, and has also written books on the disorder. An expert in the field - This web site is a guide for parents, professionals, people with Asperger's Syndrome, and their partners.....

Aspergers Support Page...

Aspergers Syndrome...

Aspergers Syndrome- information and support...

PlaySteps... "PLAYSTEPS meets an important need in the education of young children with autism spectrum disorders. A clearly sequenced visual format guides the learner......"

BEHAVIOUR DISORDERS - That's how we spell behaviour in Oz!!

Oppositional Defiant Disorder Support Group ...

Oppositional Defiant Disorder...

Oppositional Defaint Disorder and Conduct Disorder in Adolescents and Children - Diagnosis and Treatment...


Positive Behaviour...Yes, that's how we spell it down under!!.Here is a rich site containing information related to positive reinforcement for behavior modification. It contains research, success stories and more.....

Behaviour Home Page...If its resources, strategies, links and behaviour management support your after, then you have come to the right place!....

Tourettes Syndrome - links galore...

Tourettes Syndrome - Diagnostic Criteria...

Tourettes Syndrome - The Facts...

Tourettes Syndrome - A story ...

Tourettes Information...

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