amazing

Posted on May 20, 2008 by Ginny East Shaddock

Yesterday, I was in a reading lesson with my student of two plus years. We were working in a children’s primer and I suggested we read a story about Helen Keller. I asked Kathy if she knew who that person was and she shook her head and said she never heard of her. Always makes me pause when we come across things like this – so much of what I consider common knowledge isn’t the case for the disadvantaged.  Reminds me never to assume anything and be grateful for my education and upbringing.


I suggested we read the text and find out who Helen Keller is together.


Kathy reads the first two lines. It went something like:
When Helen Keller was a child she got sick and as result became deaf and dumb. This cut her off from the world.


Kathy stopped reading and said, “That’s just like me and not being able to read. I was cut off from the world too. I don’t know if you knew that, Ginny, but it’s like being deaf and dumb when you can’t read.”


Of course, I’ve always known that –I’ve just been waiting for Kathy to realize it.
“And now?” I said.


“Now everything is different. You know the teacher sent me a note home from school the other day, and I could actually read it. For the first time ever I actually know what is going on at school. I’m not cut off from the world anymore. It’s amazing.”


“Amazing,” I parroted.


I keep thinking about that conversation. Amazing.


 

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About Ginny East Shaddock

Ginny East has long employed blogging to poke and prod life. She believes reflective writing reveals deeper connections and teaches us about our relationships with ourselves and the world at large. Her blog is laden with long essays that go completely against the recommended tips for successful blogging, and the fact that her selected subject matter has no goal or specific theme means she is unlikely to build an audience or create a platform for her writing or other work-related endeavors. Ginny comes to the page for personal reasons, and whether she has an audience for these entries is a moot point. Ginny retired in January 2025 after many years as a business owner. Certified yoga therapist, and teacher of dance, yoga, and writing. She was excited to have time to devote to writing, personal reflection, and deepening relationships. She has a Master of Fine Arts in writing from Lesley University and a BA in business management from Eckerd College. As an author, Ginny has won the Royal Palm Literary Award two times, once for historical fiction and once for the memoir category. She also won the New Southerner Literary Award and her piece was selected for the magazine's yearly anthology. She has a memoir, My Million Dollar Donkey, a book that explores social issues, education, and personal awareness gained during a period when she attempted to live a simple life in the Georgia Mountains. The book was born of insight from her daily introspection gained by blogging on this site. She also is the author of The Enlightened Writer, available on Kindle and through Amazon or Bookbaby. This book combines Eastern philosophy with writing wisdom for authors seeking insight and guidance on writing a memoir as a spiritual act.

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