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Two boys born with the same diagnosis, cerebral palsy and autism, enrolled in the same school at the same time, going all thirteen years from grade K-12 in the same schools. {{more: continue …}}Both boys despite handicaps graduated in the top 10% of their class, receiving scholarships for at least the next 4 years of college.
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This is a story about the remarkable courage of those two boys who believed that there was nothing that they couldn?t do. But, it is also a story about the support that they received all through the years that got them to this point in their lives.
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first, they had each other …?
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You see Tommy and Jimmy are twins and there is a no closer or unique bond than that. Second, they had their parents, who were able to look beyond the challenges facing them as parents and see what could be. Third, there were the many adults in their lives that dealt with their potential and not their limitations. This was never more important than with their teachers and support staff during their school years at KISD, especially, the special education staff that worked with them for 13 plus years.
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When Tommy and Jimmy were three years old, they had their first contact with the school when the Kennedale ISD Special Education staff conducted an evaluation and determined that the twins could do “pretty much anything but speak.”
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With that, the boys were put in regular classes with support as needed. They moved into advanced level classes, again with support that begin to lessen as each year passed. Reaching high school, very little if any support was needed. And, yes they did learn to speak in their own measured way.
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the answer was always “Anything” …?
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Their mother shared that whenever the question was posed ?What can you do?? the answer was always a loud and proud ?Anything!?
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This year Thomas and James Crisp graduated from Kennedale High School among the top in their class. Tommy is enrolled at the University of Texas at Arlington in the Honors College, planning to pursue a Master of Civil Engineering degree. Jimmy has been accepted at the University of Texas at Dallas, also in the university?s honors program with plans to earn a Master in Mechanical Engineering.
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a large supportive village …
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A salute to the Crisp brothers, who never new that they couldn?t, and, to their parents and family members who wouldn?t give up. Thanks goes to the teachers and staff for their professionalism and care. And, a hat?s off to the classmates along the years, who grew to accept and include them in their circle, learning along the way to respect their abilities.
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Jimmy and Tommy are the sons of Greg and Kathy Crisp.?
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Information is this story provided by Kennedale High School and a very proud mom.
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