Diary of a Christian Girl

One Step Forward

Inclusive Education... It is an education provided to all students with or without disabilities, in which all students are treated as equals regardless of their differences. The school "One Step Forward" offers this opportunity to all its members... In that school I will be stuck for the rest of my school life.

My mom comes into my room to wake me up, although in fact I had been awake for a long time. Who could sleep the night before starting a new school? I get out of bed and grab my support stick next to it, I go to shower while my mom gets my new uniform ready for me... I have breakfast and my dad drives me to school in our car. I'm really going to miss going to school with Mati.

-Emily, right?- said the principal, we are in her office doing the typical introduction they do in any school.

In a nutshell: It is an inclusive school (obviously), there are "normal" people and disabled people, they accept kids of all ages and with all kinds of illnesses. The school campus is very large, so it is divided into "zones" or levels. On level one (where I will be), there are people who do not have any illnesses and people who have a mild disability, such as blindness, paralysis or missing limbs, and deaf-mutes. The higher levels are for people with more severe disabilities.

-Your daughter will be in very good hands, Mr. Azevedo, don't worry about that- Said the pricipal, referring to my dad. -Now Emily, since it's your first day, we asked a boy from your class to give you a tour of the area where you will be and tell you all about it. He's over there at my office door so you can go with him while I say goodbye to your father.-

I headed towards the door, I can say that I have mastered the support cane very well, I am still afraid of bumping into something when I walk, but I am more confident when I walk.

-Emily? -I heard a boy's voice, I guess he is the one who is going to give me the tour.

-It's me, are you the one who will give me the tour?-

-The one and only- He sounds like a nice person. -My name is Noah, I'll be your guide on this adventure - Did he really say adventure? At least he tried to be funny.

-Okay, Noah, in case you didn't notice, I'm blind, so I don't know how you're going to give me the tour if I can't see anything.-

-Don't worry blondie, come with me this way- he said holding my hand where I don't have a cane. I started to feel a breeze on my face. -Are we at the entrance?- I said very confused.

-How clever Emily- Noah said with a sarcastic tone and I gave him a fake smile. -Actually yes, I thought I could give you the tour from the door so you know where you are once you get to school- Surprisingly, this guy knows a lot about how to handle a condition like mine.

-How clever Noah- I said in the same sarcastic tone he used a few moments ago. I know he smiled even though I can't see it.

He started to show me the area where I was placed, it's actually not that hard to remember, it's a square with many doors.

-And finally, this is the playground where we go out for recess. It's a very big space, lots of grass to sit on the ground and there are some courts set up for everyone to play on. To your right is a store where you can buy snacks and to your left are the lunch tables. Any questions?-

-Yes, many, but I think I'll remember the main thing.-

-If you need help finding your way around or to get ahead of the classes or just need some company you can count on me, I don't have that many friends here.-

-I think I will- I took my cell phone out of my pocket and handed it to Noah. -It doesn't have a password, put your number in there so we can stay in touch, okay?-

-Of course- He was quiet for a moment.

-What's wrong?-

-Nothing- he said hesitantly -I think your boyfriend texted you.-

-I don't have a boyfriend Noah, what does it say?-

-It's from... Mati?

-It's from my best friend, you dummy. What did he write?- I could ask the cell phone to read it on its own but I want to annoy Noah a little bit.

-It says "How'd it go girl?"-

-He's worried about my first day, that's all, don't worry, I'll get back to him.-

-Are you sure he's not your boyfriend?-

-He's not Noah, save your number...-

-Okay okay. I know he's smiling.- Ok Blondie, all set- he said handing me back my cell phone, I heard my dad calling me from far away. -I'll write you tomorrow's schedule and if you want I'll wait for you at the school entrance to take you to the classroom- Having the same schedule as Noah can be an advantage.

-Ok, that's fine with me, so I'll see you tomorrow?-

-See you tomorrow.-

I walked away from Noah as I walked towards my dad, it's hard to meet a person you've never seen before, it's intriguing to think what Noah is like.

When I got home I remembered that I didn't answer Mati's message so I decided to call him.

-Hello girl, how are you? How did it go? Tell me everything.-

-Hi kid, it went well, or at least better than I expected.-

-I told you...-

-I know, I met a boy, his name is Noah, he told me all about the school and he's in my class, I think I'll be with him for a long time while I meet new people.-

-I'm so glad, girl, I told you everything was going to be fine, although I'm a little envious that I can't be there with you, just promise me you won't forget me.-

-How do you think! I would never forget you, in fact I missed you coming to pick me up in the morning.-

-I know, me too. Anyway, I hope you'll do great there, show them who they're messing with.-

-I will- I said laughing.-

-Well girl, I'm leaving, I have an exam tomorrow and I want to study a little bit, if you're coming for dinner on Friday, right?-

-Of course! I wouldn't miss game night for anything!-

-I hope so, ok girl, take care of yourself, ok?-

-Of course I will.-

-Bye.-

Well, I have a strange day ahead of me tomorrow, I'll try to get some rest.