Something I read today talked about people reaching their potential and being upwardly mobile. I believe all people should have the opportunity to dream and reach for their goals. I also think that those dreams and goals should be decided by the individual. Society tells us we should all want to go to college and become bankers or doctors. Not only do we not all have to potential to become bankers or doctors, some people don't want to. I know some really great people who never went to college and are truck drivers or construction workers. We need to remember that all jobs in our society are important and that people are not completely defined by what they do for a living. With children in special education (all children actually) we need to look at the individual child. They come from families with a value system that needs to be honored. They have gifts that need to be emphasized and limits that need to be considered. We need to provide an education that pushes a child, in the direction the child wants to go, without frustrating them. Education is not a one size fits all situation and we can not make blanket generalizations. Two children with the same disabilities will take two different paths in this life and it is our job as the special educator to help those children find their way along those paths.