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Tuesday, November 1, 2005
Clayton Goes Bilingual
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
If any school district could use a successful, innovative school, it’s Clayton County. They may wade into bilingual education, with an elementary school that teaches English-speaking and Spanish-speaking children to be fluent in each other’s languages. Here’s the story.
More controversial is the concept of teaching Spanish-speaking kids in their native language. Bilingual education has been a political battleground in California. But in this case, it appears the school would be a choice open to families all over the county. Parents who don’t like the approach can opt for another school.
With Georgia’s growing Hispanic population, should bilingual programs be sprouting all over the metro area?
Update on Candace
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Many AJC readers responded to a series of stories I wrote about Candace Anderson, a former DeKalb County honor student whose senses abandoned her one by one. While a freshman at Mercer University, Candace was so desperate to continue her education in spite of her loss of vision and sight, she begged her mother to send for a correspondence calculus course. Her mother was going to write the formulas on Candace’s forehead. Doctors do not know the cause of Candace’s illness. Her younger sister Sophia has similar symptoms, though far less serious.
Here’s the only story still available as a link.
I haven’t updated Candace’s situation recently, because her health is generally unchanged. But on Saturday I attended a birthday party for Candace’s mother, Sarah. And to my great surprise, Candace was there! The Andersons have a van that enables them to get Candace out of the house. (If it weren’t for the van, Sarah would have missed her own birthday party … she does not leave Candace’s side … ever.) The party was held at the family’s Forest Park church. Sarah said she hadn’t been to a church service in four years.
Now 23, Candace appears comfortable and alert. She does not have brain damage. Her mind is trapped in a body that does not cooperate. It’s unclear whether she can see or hear. She cannot speak or sit up.
Sister Sophia is 21. She is studying to be a nurse and engaged to be married. Her hearing goes in and out, but she has forged ahead with her life.
Japheth, Candace’s loyal boyfriend who helped her across the stage so she wouldn’t have to use her wheelchair when she graduated from Columbia High School, has gone on with his life, too. He is still close to the Anderson family. He and his brothers have a singing group and they performed at the party.
Candace’s father, Charles, told the party guests that he planned the birthday party for his wife after the family celebrated her mother’s birthday in North Carolina. Sarah helped plan the party, but she didn’t go. On the day Candace lost her ability to speak, while at Emory Hospital, her mother promised her she would never leave her. She has kept that promise.
