Imagine moving to a new school and not knowing anything about the language spoken there - all the while having no vision. This is the story of Jose Gonzalez, senior student at MHS.
Most have seen him walking through the hallways and some have seen him cleaning up tables or picking up trash. Gonzalez is known throughout the teaching community as an inspiration. Most students at the school, however, are not aware of the struggles he has gone through.
Four years ago, Gonzalez and his family - which included him, his parents and his 11 siblings - moved to California from their hometown in Mexico. Disabled children were not allowed to attend the schools in the community they resided in, so his family packed up their things and moved to the United States in hopes of finding greater opportunities for their son.
Because Jose was much younger while living in Mexico and California, he does not remember having been treated badly or getting teased. His mother, on the other hand, has a different outlook and took notice to how her son was often victimized because of his disability.
"School wasn't offered for disabled kids in Mexico," said Jose's mother, Eustolo Gonzalez. "He got made fun of a lot and was not treated well there."
Jose, however, was not born blind. When he was only two years old, while living in Mexico, he was struck with meningitis, an often fatal disease in which protective membranes around the spinal cord and brain become inflamed. Doctors found that he had acquired a fever high enough to burn and damage his optic nerve; this devastatingly led to his current blindness. In all, Jose - at only two and ½ years old - spent almost three entire months fighting for his life in the hospital near their home.
"He ended up going into a coma," said Eustolo.
Jose is not actually completely blind. In his left eye, he is able to distinguish large shapes and figures and is able to identify various figures and outlines.
"The fever had burned out his optic nerve, but the doctors told us that his vision would improve as he got older," said Eustolo.
While his siblings and parents went to school to be educated and worked to pay the bills, Jose kept himself busy by doing something most kids would never think to do. In order to make a few more dollars each day for his family, he stood on the sidewalks of his community and sold gum for 50 cents a box. Chiclets, as they were called in Mexico, provided Jose with the opportunity to be sociable.
Although he doesn't remember life in Mexico vividly, he recalls wanting to help people whenever he had the opportunity. A receptionist at a nearby church often accepted the help that Jose offered.
"Some people had more money, so I would charge them more," said Jose with a smile. "I spent a lot of time with my neighbor, Bertha, and I also would go to the store for her and bring her tortillas and sodas and different groceries."
"He worked every day, from 10 AM to 8 PM," said Eustolo.
The difficult work experience that Jose obtained in Mexico provided him with a helpful background that has allowed him to take part in various jobs around MHS. Besides the setback of not being allowed to attend school because of his disability, there were not any buses that could have provided him transportation had he been able to participate in schooling. He has a thorough work ethic, which does not go unnoticed by anyone familiar with him, particularly teachers.
Currently, Jose is learning how to read Braille. This is rewarding to many of the teachers who are privileged enough to work with him. Blind people generally develop their other senses, such as auditory senses, better than most people, as vision is usually the most relied-upon. Jose, not surprisingly, has augmented his auditory senses, in addition to retention of information in his head better than most people.
"It is really interesting to see him learn Braille," said ELD teacher and supporter Kim McCoy, who has been able to work with Jose this year. "I have worked with blind adults before, but never any students."
"He is a very quick learner," said Eustolo.
"I really like reading in Braille," said Jose. He is thankful for receiving the opportunity to learn how to read.
Jose also receives help from a vision specialist, whom he sees on a regular basis. He has recently learned how to dial phone numbers, too, which he finds to be very useful.
The Gonzalez family has received much more positive attention in Oregon than in both Mexico and California. As soon as he was enrolled in the ELD program at MHS, the administration was much more open to assisting the family with their struggles as compared to the administrations of their previous residences.
"We've been treated with love and respect by both peers and teachers here [in McMinnville]," said Jose's father, Antonio Gonzalez. "His bus driver helped us with health plans."
"I have seen and feel that he has been treated well," said Eustolo.
Aside from going to school and getting to know his peers while learning, Jose enjoys playing basketball and soccer. He often participated in both of these activities in Mexico, as well.
"Sometimes I enjoy going to the store down the street to buy things, but that's only when I have money to spend," said Jose.
"When I give him money, he can walk there and get groceries for us," said Eustolo.
Through all of Jose's setbacks, he still manages to have a positive outlook on life. Recently, he was able to take part in a field trip that took him to Aspen, Colorado. Additionally, he took a field trip to the Washington State School for the Blind, located in Vancouver, Washington.
"I have been able to go on some very beautiful trips," said Jose. "I have met a lot of friends [in McMinnville.]"
"[Jose] is very kind and sociable," said McCoy. "He is always in a good mood and is really optimistic about everything. It is refreshing to be around."
Recently, he was awarded the Summer Work Experience Program Student of the Year Award from the Oregon State Commission for the Blind. The reward for this prestigious honor was a monetary gift that he was able to receive on Dec. 4.
Everyone in the family agrees that staying in McMinnville is one of their top priorities. His father hopes that living here will provide Jose with opportunities to fulfill his dreams, even though he has not set aside specific goals for his future. Already, however, Jose has achieved one goal that will certainly help him in the long run: he has earned enough credits to be able to graduate this coming year in 2010.
"I'm not sure that I have any real goals, but I think I might," said Jose. "I hope to find a good job after I graduate."
"It is definitely a major concern of mine," said Eustolo. "I would love for him to have a translator so that he can depend on himself and become independent, especially when I am not around anymore."
"I want him to choose a career where he can benefit himself," said Antonio.
Jose has made an exceptional amount of progress in the time he has been living in McMinnville and attending MHS. For this, both his parents are eternally thankful.
"We are very, very grateful [for] all the help given to us in the United States," said Antonio.
"If we were in Mexico, he would not be at this point," said Eustolo.
The Gonzalez family has overcome several obstacles. Students at MHS could greatly benefit from hearing Jose's powerful and inspirational story, which shows that nothing should be taken for granted.
"Hopefully I'll always be able to depend on myself," said Jose.
Jose's future certainly looks positive, as he has remained motivated and optimistic about himself and everyone around him - a commendable trait which we could all promote.