This cat Joey is a bad mother... shut your mouth! I'm just talking about Joey.

in steemiteducation •  7 years ago  (edited)

Joey is a complete badass.

Although I try very hard not to swear in my steemit posts, I simply do not know any other words that can possibly do him justice. If the term "badass" wasn't coined to describe this kid, it should have been.



I couldn't find an image that showed exactly how tough Joey is. This one had to do.

Joey is a 15 year old high school freshman who enjoys golf, history, sports and joking around.

He also happens to have severe epilepsy. In addition, his dysarthria (muscle weakness), apraxia (difficulty with motor planning), and reduced breath capacity makes it incredibly hard for him to speak. It is very difficult for those to whom he is speaking to decipher the words Joey is trying to formulate. This difficulty speaking is exacerbated by the fact that he cannot control his tongue as well as the vast majority of people. He has seizures several times a day. This repeated trauma has affected his ability to read, write and spell. He requires the use of hearing aids to compensate for a hearing deficit. He has been in therapy since he was 8 weeks old in order to help him with the fact that the entire right side of his body is very weak.

At this point, you may be thinking, "Wait. I thought you were going to tell us about some tough kid you have in class."

I just did.



What Joey "can't " do is quite insignificant compared to what he can does do.

But that list of challenges is such a tiny part of him.

The biggest part is that Joey gets up every day, puts on most of his clothes without assistance (he still needs help with buttons), brushes his teeth, grabs his far too heavy backpack, and hops on the bus to school.

When he gets there, he struggles to enter the combination on his lock, open his locker and get what he needs for the day. He slowly makes his way through the halls. If he has to go to the second floor, he trudges to the elevator (stairs are not safe for him). Yet he is never late.

He enters each class with a smile and takes his place amongst his peers to participate in every lesson. He gives his best effort in every task requiring reading and writing. When asked to work in a small group with his classmates, he pulls his weight. And when it comes time to do the thing that is most difficult for him: to speak out loud... he is tenacious. He will not concede. He will not surrender. He will not yield.



My class relies very heavily on student participation in group discussions. During these conversations, it would be very easy for Joey to simply keep his hand down and observe the exchange. It would be so simple for him to say to himself, "It is too hard for me to form words. It is too hard for people to understand me. It too hard for me to have to repeat myself 7 or 8 times in order to get my message across. It is too hard not to get embarrassed".

But the words "It is too hard" are not the words of a badass. Joey is a badass.

Therefore, when Joey has something to contribute to the discussion, he musters up the strength to lift his hand, waits his turn, and then... he speaks.

And no-one understands.

So he speaks again.

And no-one understands.

So he speaks again.

And no-one understands.

So he speaks again...

And then someone in the room (it could be and adult or fellow student) gets it! The successful translator pumps his/her fist and repeats the statement for the class.

Joey smiles and pumps his fist as well.

His statement or question was insightful. It helped propel the discussion. But most importantly, Joey didn't give up... and the class didn't give up on him.

A few minutes later, Joey raises his hand again... and the class gets to work on making sure we all understand Joey's contribution.



That is why Joey is a badass. While many students in the school just let their education wash over them as they remain passive audience members, Joey fights every second of every day to get the education he deserves. He fights to get to school. He fights to make it around the halls. He fights to read. He fights to write. He fights to speak.

Joey fights.

I have only known Joey for two weeks. But to be honest, it only took 5 minutes to figure out that I was in the presence of a true badass.

Joey fights... and he loves it. At the end of the first week I received an email from Joey's mom. It turns out Joey is up for another fight. He noticed that our school doesn't have a Military History club. He is going to fight to start one. I'm sure he'll win.

At the end of the message, his mom mentioned that Joey is incredibly excited to be in high school and that he loves it.

Joey loves going to a place where he has to fight for everything that comes so easy to almost everyone else around him.

He shows up every day and all day long he does the hardest thing in the world for him... and he does it with a smile.

Yeah... Joey is a badass.



Images 1, 2, 3, 4

If there any other educators, parents, students or friends, who would like to share a story of a student he/she knows, make sure to use the steemiteducation tag so those interested in education related posts can find it. If you would like to encourage more education related posts, please follow @steemiteducation and consider delegating SP to @steemiteducation or @steemwizards. Thank you to @lukestokes who already has.

Authors get paid when people like you upvote their post.
If you enjoyed what you read here, create your account today and start earning FREE STEEM!
Sort Order:  

Joey's response to his limitations:

What limitations = Badass!

Well played!

Congratulations. This post features in my latest Curation Article. @MrSquiggle - supporting the #TeamAustralia community and promoting creative content. Join us in Discord.

Upvoting this comment will help support @mrsquiggle to continue to support the #TeamAustralia community.

Thats a great post, uplifting. For the record, I want Joey on my side.

Makes my problems look insignificant.

It's amazing how some can overcome almost impossible circumstances and thrive. Kudos to Joey!

The kid is flat out awesome! Really makes me feel silly when I complain about things.

Agreed, we complain to much and do too little

I got a classmate named Joey. I hope he gonna be the same as that Joey

go joey, that is one of the best posts i have ever read in my life, tell joey he is an inspiration to all of us!

Thanks! The kid is awesome! And the best thing is, it just comes naturally. It is just who he is.

3 cheers to Joey!

he is stubborn but he is strong personal ;) he can have nice future because he never give up and say his opinion even in this circumstance . If he just remind silent he cant have bright future so its seems he doing well ;)

Very inspirational! Joey helps to prove that we were all created for a purpose
and should share our gifts whatever they might be.

I have been through a lot in my life, maybe I'll post some of that in a post later, so life has hardened pretty big. These kind of stories touch my inner self to an extent, many people can't imagine.
I can tell you, Joey is more than a badass, Joey is William Wallace, Connor McGregor and Chuck Norris melted into one person. Joey's mind is so strong, nothing can bring him down. Joey has more maturity at his age, than most of his classmates will ever have...
I love Joey, because I love myself!
Tnx for sharing this

Thank you for sharing as well! I am glad you have such inner strength.

Tnx, Inner strength is not always the same, but hé, we do our best! Tnx for the upvote!

"I have only known Joey for two weeks. But to be honest, it only took 5 minutes to figure out that I was in the presence of a true badass." I love it when I meet people like that, you know instantly that this is going to be awesome. Great inspirational post and encouraging to all of us to keep 'fighting' harder.

Thanks! I agree. I am very lucky that I get to work with him for the next year!

What an awesome post, and what a wonderful teacher you are. This takes a lot of courage and so glad that you saw it immediately. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post and kid with us. He has real guts it seems to me and that is wonderful.

He is an amazing kid! I am so lucky I get to work with him this year.

joey ROCKS!!

Joey is a inspirational&warrior....really appreciate to this post.. thanks to sharing

This is such an amazing story. Thanks for sharing Joey's (B4DA5$) courage! We can learn so much from children, and those who have not been poisoned by negativity, about how to live a happy and prosperous life!

Very true! I think I learn as much form my students as they learn from me.

Wow, if this post doesn't inspire and motivate folks, nothing likely will! Thanks for sharing! :)

Thanks!

I am a lecturer and also have a student as great as him. She is Tami. She always studies at home at least 3 hours and has many exstracurricular ... She is not only smart but also so polite

That's awesome! You should write a post about her!

I Will....this is really a big chance for me....your post really reminds me to share about her

Make sure to use the steemiteducation tag so the team will see it.

Give Joey a high-five for me. I used to work with a guy who was born with a twin brother, both of them were severely disabled, and the doctor said neither would ever walk. My buddy though, being the stubborn badass that he is not only learned to walk, but does so pretty damn well. He has a limp, whatever. Unfortunately his brother is wheelchair bound, but my friend keeps on going. Inspiring people, they are. Especially when people complain about minor inconveniences in life. ESPECIALLY in American life.

And you give your pals a high-five for me!

The title of your article creates a different impression at first until the article is been read. It picked my attention because my name is Joey, so I wonder "What The Hell Is Going On" but all the same, it was a master piece @hanshotfirst you really did a good constructive work all the way to the end of it. Now that educational articles goes to @steemiteducation and @steemwizards I will make out time to write. Thanks.

nice post !

Great post, reading is an adventure :)

Great post.thank for sharing.

@hanshotfirst WOW super inspiring
Real amazing job, and I hope you keep it up
Once again, absolutely loved it - Cheers!!

Joey is a warrior! Congratz for the post @hanshotfirst!


Upboat is a friendly half-human, half-robot which hopes to help promote the better posts of Steemit by trying to ensure they get the recognition they deserve.
@UPBOAT looks for numerous signals before deciding on who to UPBOAT and is likely to summon our robot friends to share some robot love with you to show affection.


I'VE BEEN AT SEA FOR 4 DAYS AND HAVE GIVEN 248 UPBOATS! PLEASE HELP @UPBOAT STAY AFLOAT ON THE STEEMIAN SEAS BY DELEGATING SPARE SP OR PATCH WATER LEAKS BY UPBOATING.

I wish it too

Superb post!

What movie is this sir @hanshotfirst

joey a badass

a brave Joey, good post!!

Good article

Nice story in fact best story its an inspiring story to me i don't know about you because i learnt a lesson you must know what you stand for no matter what its awesome Thanks

I do not understand English very much, but what problems does Joey have?

Joey has seizures and has difficulty reading, writing, and speaking. But he is a great thinker and works incredibly hard.

Thank you for sharing, I loved your post, I hope you follow me back, so new here.

Cool. Definitely need courage @hanshotfirs

This post has received a 0.78 % upvote from @drotto thanks to: @upboat.

it's so badass and how to be the great man ! thank's for your post

nice post. :) upvoted! @hanshotfirst

Who's joey?? Sorry guys I don't really know him ^__^
Nice post though @hanshotfirst. I enjoyed reading it

Joey is an awesome student in my class.

Wow.. Amazing film.. Tq.

we are one steemit community in indonesia. you want to visit my blog .. tq.

https://steemit.com/meetup/@yahqan/meetup-togetherness-is-remarkable-or-or-or-kebersamaan-meetup-sangat-luar-biasa-2017831t182025831z

hhhhh. it's a funny and interesting movie and story. but I do not know how your postings mean. I would like to follow you to be more familiar with your character and your posts
thanks ... regards from @sipildanarsitek

one of my favorite songs.
Hehehhe

Some souls are an inspiration

Congratulations @hanshotfirst! You have completed some achievement on Steemit and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

Award for the number of upvotes

Click on any badge to view your own Board of Honor on SteemitBoard.
For more information about SteemitBoard, click here

If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word STOP

By upvoting this notification, you can help all Steemit users. Learn how here!

I read your story with tears in my eyes. He's a strong boy. I read your story to my children who do not like to read homework. They listened quietly. I hope that they have drawn conclusions. I wholeheartedly wish this boy a lot of strength. That he always went ahead and never gave up. I follow you and I hope you write more about this guy. Thank you

Joey is a cat right? Anyway, thank you for your votes, I am now on my 23rd post. Regards.

My son is autistic, and we are just so proud of him. No WORDS, yet can understand so much MATH.

You're right, there isn't a better word to describe him :)

I really like your posts! I find it inspiring to see an eclectic mix doing so well! A mutual friend suggested I reach out to you and seek support for what I am doing on here. I am recovering Heroin addict that has been set free and not am living a good life. I am the Resident Manager at a Christian Transitional Housing program and I attend college full time. I write my story and where I am today to be inspiration to others. I have succeeded in getting Discord to create an #Recovery-Addiction chat room and it is growing slowly. I am trying to reach or people and get my story out more. Would you maybe be willing to look at my stuff and if you like it support me? It would be greatly appreciated! Thank you and God Bless! P.S. Han did shoot first...

really Joey is a true inspiration for the people who are safe and sound and think it is over, nothing can be done now. I really love his spirit to fight with the life.

Quite interesting story I love it