I agree.

“It is critically important that the counseling /therapeutic community continues to intervene in a compassionate and creative way .For people with LD it is a crap shoot when they see a counselor.”

Well said Fuschia. It seems to me that a person with learning disabilities needs to interview any potential counselor/mental health ally to see what their understanding of the LD terrain is. Or, as the case may be, the parents need to keep that in mind when looking for such a professional.

Last week I presented to a bunch of clinicians and line staff at a therapeutic wilderness program for teenagers and the head of the program (who already knows a fair amount about LD) said among other things, that learning more about LD and emotional issues has made him more compassionate to the kids he sees who do have learning disabilities.

First, for the sake of clarity, most of the replies to this thread have come from Richard, the guy who started and maintained this site up till last winter. Though Richard and I see a lot of things concerning learning disabilities in a similar way, we’re not the same person- so my response is on the issues not with anything you may have directed towards any one aspect of any of his replies.

That said, where he and I agree is on the fundamental question of the original post: Does having a learning disability automatically and in and of itself qualify someone for a scholarship (not financial aid)?

You say, yes. I say no.

Your comment: “People like you or I could have a crap ton of money and create an endowment for whatever type of students we wished to give a scholarship to.” Agreed. People have the right to award or give money to anyone they like I suppose.

You add,”…if I get a job at a university, pay off my 100,000 dollars of student debt, I then plan to create an endowment fund for students with the same characteristics as myself.” Great. Good for you, seriously. Not that it really matters here, but I regularly donate monies and time to students with LDs as well.

Here’s the crux of your point in my opinion: “I mean, it’s a stupid argument, really. What about being black qualifies someone for a scholarship? What about being from a certain county qualifies someone for a scholarship? ”

EB, these are valid and good questions, though I don’t think the counter points raised previously “are stupid.” (though as you say, you didn’t/”couldn’t” read them all). Nonetheless, the restrictive categories of race or place of origin, or the like, are only the beginning of the selection process. After you’re in the hunt for qualifying for a particular scholarship based on any of such criteria, you then have to prove other definable qualities such as evidence of academic success, resilience, service, and/or a commitment to give back.

The reason those criteria exist is because in part, the selection committee wants to try and ensure that the fit between the candidate and school is a good one. In other words, we don’t want to have a young person accepted into a school where they will more likely fail, because they’re unprepared or otherwise a poor match. There’s too many examples of parents pushing kids into the elite schools or wherever, simply to have the marquee value.

I’ve learned lots of “sh-t” (your word) and became passionate and thoughtful about this “sh-t” (yours as well) long before I entered the discussion (I didn’t start it).

I get it that you and others feel you are standing up for the rights of students who’ve been unfairly treated in aspects of the school experience.

So are we.

Why? People like you or I could have a crap ton of money and create an endowment for whatever type of students we wished to give a scholarship to.

In fact, after obtaining my PhD and if I get a job at a university, pay off my 100,000 dollars of student debt, I then plan to create an endowment fund for students with the same characteristics as myself.

I mean, it’s a stupid argument, really. What about being black qualifies someone for a scholarship? What about being from a certain county qualifies someone for a scholarship? What about choosing a certain major qualifies someone for a scholarship,.. etc, etc, etc…I’ll tell you the answer: someone created a scholarship fund for people meeting particular characteristics. Why? Because someone thought particular characteristics gave some people a disadvantage.

Seriously dude, I couldn’t even read this whole thread because it was ridiculous and people told you the answers and you kept going and then you complained about how people were arguing with you.

What is your point?

Nobody really “deserves” anything, but people create opportunities for individuals with certain characteristics.

And at one point, you made some example about a “person A” and “person B” with similar profiles but one is less fortunate than the other. Ok, of course the student who is more poor will get the scholarship. Often times on applications, you have to supply your gross family income and number of people in household. Other times, scholarships are handled by financial aid, although they are endowment funds from others outside the university, and financial aid gives in order of need.

Seriously, learn shit before you try to start shit.

2. While I am not someone with a learning disability, I’ve raised a son with LD, and have seen the devastating effects having a learning disability in an unsupportive school and/or family setting can wreak on self-esteem. Having been an Ld specialist for many years, I’ve worked with hundreds and hundreds of children and adults with LD and do know through many of them, of the hidden scars they carry.

3. Personally, I’m not opposed to having the fact that one has a learning disability be a part of the criteria for a scholarship, so long as it’s not the only defining feature. As in the Anne Ford Scholarships, which are for students with learning disabilities, winners also have to show evidence of academic success, leadership and community service.

You can’t have the diagnosis alone create the award.

I urge you to read comment #166 above yours, I think it spells out clearly the problem I see with mixing scholarships with financial aid and academic support. They don’t mix well in my view.

Thanks for reaching out Sanford, this means a lot.
Fondly,
Beth J. Fogel

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