	September 1997

Going To Gallaudet University

By Pete Moore
In the 1950's- 1960's, I was growing up on the northwest side of Baltimore. Any kind of a higher education such as high school or college was almost out of the question for someone who couldn't take care of themselves physically. Having Cerebral Palsy, as I have since I was about a year old (some would say; others would say I had it since I was 6 months old) I didn't expect to get a good education.

I've had this dream, ever since I can remember, of doing the same thing as my two older sisters Judy and Sally. They were able to go to high school and off to college. I wanted the same thing, but because of my disability I couldn't do that. In a regular school such as they attended, there was no aide to help you in the bathroom when you needed to go.

In the early 70's I got that chance of going to a regular school even though I had to stay in a handicapped school because it was accessible. The year 1973 was special for me. I graduated along with 500 other students from Catonsville Sr. High School. People said it couldn't be done, but it did happen.

I met a lady at the Howard County Workshop in 1977. She was deaf and pretty (to me). Right away we became friends and she quickly noticed how bright and intelligent I was. Realizing that my hearing was going from bad to worse, she thought that I might be able to go to her alma mater, Gallaudet College, as the school was called back then. She made an appointment for me and my parents to go and visit Gallaudet.

My parents were only concerned about who would take care of me, since I couldn't do it myself. I had a tour of the place and sat in one of the classrooms to observe what was going on. Then, we went to an area called S.S.S, short for Student Special Services. My Vocational Rehab. Counselor (V.R.) was not a cooperating man. To him I was his paycheck. The more clients, the higher the paychecks are. The lady who was head of the S.S.S. had a hard time getting through to him. Never liked him myself. Didn't do anything for me while at the workshop.

Entrance Exam & Accepted To Gallaudet

I went to Gallaudet in February for the exam to see if I was eligible for admission to the school. The kid I was roomed with was a real character. Him leaving the lights on and the radio at full volume didn't help our relationship much.

I was given English, math, history and just about every subject in the book for two days. They relaxed the time limit for me, since I was slow and it had been 5 years since I graduated from Catonsville Sr. High School. Can't remember when or what day the exam was? All I know was I was scared to death.

Leaving Gallaudet after the exam was a sigh of relief. Did the best I could under circumstances. You see, handicapped school in my days only stressed the points of reading, writing, math and basic understanding of everyday life. Start at age 6 and finish at 21. Never really expected for the disabled to have earned a living, married, owned homes or have kids. Before my school days there were only a few things disabled people had to look forward to, with sadness in their eyes and hearts. You could work in a sheltered workshop doing simple repetitive things; that doesn't require much intelligence. Like what Henry Ford did in his factory: have "poor sap" or what they're called today: "unskilled laborer". The worst thing was being stuck in a institution or nursing home for life.

Returning back to the workshop. I quickly learned sign language from my new friend and excelled tremendously in signing the "ABC....", counting 1 to 20 with one hand. But I needed more practice, and got it, too.

Winter gave way to Spring and then Summer came without a word. I still had high hopes that I'd be accepted to Gallaudet College.

Finally the day came when the letter arrived from Gallaudet. My youngest sister Jane snatched the letter from my hand, read it and zoom!!!!!

Ran out the door yelling "MOM! MOM! PETE GOT ACCEPTED!!!!!" Soon my whole family called. Even those in California heard and nobody could figured out how they knew when none of us called them yet?

In August I was to report to Gallaudet College and start my adventure that wouldn't end until 1984.

Orientation

I arrived at Gallaudet in August of "78" and started taking classes and also did some activities in Physical Education to teach us how to live and work together as a team.

Next step was physical exam, hearing and speech, going to your counselor to work with them on what courses to take. Since I never had in depth in courses such as Algebra, Geometry, Chemistry, Biology and Physics were among some of them I'd barely touched in high school. I was required to take them on the high school level in what is called "Preparatory Class". The only course I took on the Freshman level was English.

My favorite part about that summer orientation was hearing ghost stories and legends about the school itself and one student in particular.....

to be continued...

Check in with Pete next month, for more about Gallaudet, ghosts, and the Hallowe'en edition from our man in Western Maryland, Peter Moore....

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