My name is Jeremy Tyler Bard. I was born in Boston MA in 1975. Shortly after I was born, I move to Greensboro, North Carolina. At 18 months of age I was stricken with Spinal Meningitis. This threw me into a coma for 6 day. I awoke on my mother’s birthday December 12, 1976. When I came through I was unable to use my left hand. To this day my left hand is still paralyzed. I also received a learning disability. I have trouble with many things with academics. My disability mostly affects with my spelling and proof checking of work.

I also have had many social problems. One of my father’s favorite stories is one of when I was learning to ski. My family went skiing every weekend when I was a child. Because of my disability my left leg was affected and I never learned how to ski. When I was 7 years of age I told my father I wanted to ski. So my parents enrolled me in ski school. Well I went to ski school every weekend. I was a very determine young man. I would go up the rope tow and ski and fall down every time. Well the ski instructor was getting tried of picking me up every time I fell. Well they finally kicked me out of ski school (this was before the Americans with disabilities act) Well my father wouldn't let me down. So he took it upon himself for me to learn to ski. I went up the rope tow and fell down the slope. Finally by the end of the season I was ready for the big chair. I went up the chair and feel a few times down the slope, but I did it. One day we went by the instructor who kicked me out of the program. He had a class with him on the upper slope. Well I skied by him and his face was in aw. I thank my dad very much for that winter. Because that winter I learned that I could do anything I wanted if I tried hard enough.

When I was 11 years of age we moved to New Jersey. In New Jersey I was told by other children "You can not play with us, you only can use one hand. Then high school came. This was a very interesting part in my education. The school put me in a resource room. The only problem with this kind of special help was the curriculum repeated itself over and over again. Well I looked at it this way. First I am here for help I didn't need an extra class to worry about. I wanted that time for help. I did not want that time to worry if I had the homework for the class that day. Well I had myself remove from the class. The High School said, if I remove myself from the class I had to be declassified. To make a long story short my family threatened to sue and they gave in. the accommodations I needed were finally met, that what I thought.

I did not know what accommodations where till I went to college. I attended American International College in Springfield MA. The school gave me everything I needed. I met with a private tutor two times a week and had extended time testing. It was a wonderful place for me academically. There I made deans list both semesters I was there. I also was president of my class. I was also a student of the year. My achievements there were very good. The one problem was the social life. There was not any to speak of. So I transferred to American University in Washington DC

At American University I joined AEPi fraternity. I made many friends. The problem here was I did not receive as much support as I did at American International College. I still manage to achieve despite all these set back. I graduated American University May 17th 1998 with a BA in Application of Technology in Special Education. Now I currently attend Bloomsburg University in Bloomsburg PA receiving my MS in Special Education.

I am now a Graduate Student working with Pro. Mary Hill. I work with a Boy 19 with a communication system. I also worked with a man age 39. Both of them use a Switch input system. Meaning they control the computer with a tap of a button. It helps then talk and turn on and off lights.
 

My Plan is to become a PhD in Special Education. One to show all those teachers who said I couldn’t do it. Second so like the rest of my family I will have a Doctorate
    Overall I have had a good life and can't complain too much. Though my mother thinks I am modest it’s just who and what I am.

I am now BACK in DC. I teach at a Preschool in Arlington. I work with Early Intervention Children. I will be in this placement for a few more weeks. Then I move to a life skills classroom.

2/18/03

Well I have been told to put an update on here. First let me say that picture is really old. Next Now I live in Dallas, TX I moved here with a dear friend. I am now the head of the special education department in a small elementary school in DISD. I am very active in the Jewish community here in Dallas. I also live in the uptown area which I love; it is nice to be able to walk to anything I want. Since moving here I have become a huge Mavericks fan and go to every other home game with my friend from college. I also play on a JCC soccer team in the fall. I am planning on staying in Dallas for the near future.

My brother has adopted 3 children and still lives in Boston. I am not very close to him, but we still call each other once in a while. He is with his partner Dan which my family loves very much. My parents now live in NC half the year and Palm Springs CA half the year. My parents and I are very close. Do not get me wrong we do not call each other everyday, but at least once a week

I am single and still searching for that nice girl. I know she is out there. Like anything in my life I know if I wait long enough I will find her. In the mean time I can say that life has had many ups and downs. I have dated and lived with woman who I can honestly say have changed my life for the better. I do know when it is meant to be, it shall be. I know G-d will bless me with a wonderful girl some day.

Well that is an Update on me and what I have been doing.

 

10/19/2007

Well I live in Dallas bought a house. Now I am divorced with no children. I live in the north eruv of Dallas. I have switched schools now at Degolyer Elementary , still in DISD. I am back in a resource room /inclusion setting I am Modern Orthodox now(was non observant growing up) Thats about it <