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When she first arrived in August, administrators and teachers weren't sure what to expect.
Ashlley, a 9-year-old with cerebral palsy, had been in a controlled environment and the students had never met anyone like her. To ease the transition, the school quickly went to work to bring the students up to speed.
"In the beginning of the year, I did a lesson on appreciating people on the inside and not to judge people on their outside," said guidance counselor Jenelle Gordon. "They have never seen anyone with cerebral palsy before and I just wanted to open their minds because they were all curious about her."
Ashlley and her classmates were then brought together as administrators crossed their fingers. Turns out, they had nothing to worry about.
"She is probably one of the most popular kids on campus," said Susan Clark, an Exceptional Student Education teacher at the school. "It takes forever to walk from the cafeteria because everyone is saying hi to Ashlley. She always has a smile on her face."
Heather Paschal, her fourth-grade teacher, is astounded how the students fawn over her and anticipate her every need.
"They have taken to her," she said. "They help her with her walker. They go to the lunch line and grab her food. When it's food that she is unable to eat, they're cutting up her food before they even get to their own. When she falls, they pick her up. I don't know if compassion is taught, but I'm a teacher and they have actually taught me a little."
About 10,000 babies per year in the United States will develop cerebral palsy, reports the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The condition affects the brain's ability to adequately control the body and results in chronic movement or posture disorders.
Students like Ashlley are either taught alongside others with similar challenges or they can be included in the general student body. For the most part, Lake Forest opts to teach them among other students.
"We pride ourselves because we have an inclusion program," Clark said. "We have an autistic cluster but for the most part, the students who are in the ESE program who come here are in the general education classroom. We support them based on what their individual needs are and we determine the best placement for them."
Along with her curriculum, Ashlley receives additional attention to deal with the physical restraints of cerebral palsy.
"She has occupational therapy and physical therapy that we also include at the school. A speech pathologist works with her as well," Clark said.
Clark said the therapy makes it easier to interact with other students on a daily basis.
"She wants to be right in there with her classmates. She wants to be a part of it and she does not want to be treated differently," she said. "They all look after her. This is why inclusion works."
Ashlley is not the only one who has benefited at the school. The students all say they have all learned from Ashley as well.
"Even though she's different from other people, she's still a person," said Hennessy Torres, one of her classmates.
And Ashlley is no pushover. She often helps teachers whip the rest of the students into shape when needed.
"She's taught us to be quiet because we are always talking," said one student.
"She's always telling us to get in a straight line," said another.
And at the end of the day, Ashlley is excited to leave just like everyone else.
"When I go home, I do my homework and I watch TV all day," she said. "Hallelujah!"
Sergy Odiduro can be reached at sodiduro@tribune.com.
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