Crumbs From the Cookie Jar

My next graphic memory was going to school. Not any school, mind you, but the Ada Wilson School for Crippled Children. Yes, you heard that correctly. People weren't concerned about political correctness back then! My grandmother and mother would take me to school each morning. One morning, after being dropped off at school, I decided to run away from school. After going about half a block, my teacher met me (coming from the opposite direction) and marched me right back to the school. Day after day I was a terror in the classroom, interrupting the teacher on a regular basis. I hated that school. I did not want to go to school with those crippled kids. I wanted to go to school with regular kids. I was not willing then -- or since then -- to let my life be defined by my disability. I have spent my life overcoming my disability. This was just the beginning of that journey.