Rhode Island Kids Learn About Differences from a Special Teacher and a Special Critter
Born in a kindergarten classroom, Lemon the duck was surrounded by excited faces and loving hearts. With her three siblings, Lemon thrived among the curious children. Here, Lemon felt at home.
But Lemon is different from her brothers and sisters. Lemon is a duck with a disability.
Like so many with disabilities, Lemon is strong and determined and hasn’t let her disability stop her. She is able to keep up with the other ducks, including swimming and even walking with her own adaptive walker, the Lem-Mobile.
“Even though she has these differences she’s able to be happy. The Lem-Mobile has opened up a whole new world,” said Laura Backman, Lemon’s "mom."
Laura, a K-12 reading specialist and kindergarten teacher in Rhode Island, hatched Lemon in her classroom and brought her home to join her family after learning Lemon had a neurological disorder that affected her ability to walk. Each day, Lemon accompanied Laura to class where students helped think of ways to allow Lemon to stand and walk.
Today, Lemon is an inspiration to everyone she meets and visits classes and special needs camps to help teach kids that having a disability doesn’t necessarily stop someone from achieving their dreams.
Laura, a first-time author, recently published Lemon’s story in a children’s book titled Lemon the Duck to teach kids about disabilities. She dedicated the book to her late father, who lived with MS.
“Lemon’s story is a safe way to talk about disabilities, to ask questions, and brainstorm ways to make a difference in someone else’s life,” she said.
Lemon has been featured in magazines in Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan and China, and the book was used as a learning tool for Hop for Muscular Dystrophy, an educational event in Nova Scotia.
Laura hopes that by sharing Lemon’s story children will learn to be accepting of all people, no matter their disability. “All life is important no matter what the challenges are,” she said.
On Lemon's Web site, www.lemontheduck.com, there is a downloadable guide for teachers to incorporate Lemon’s message into the curriculum. The site also features videos and photos of Lemon, as well as fan mail.
“I think that Lemon has really inspired a lot of people,” Laura said. “I get a lot of e-mails from people who are disabled — and not disabled — and Lemon is an inspiration for them.”
Laura said her father taught her a lot about accepting people with disabilities. “He was such a special guy and he fought the good fight,” she said.
A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will benefit the National MS Society. To order a copy, visit www.lemontheduck.com or a local book shop.
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Interviewer Danielle English is a master's degree candidate at the University of Denver, and volunteers for the Society's Marketing and Development Department. She was diagnosed with MS in 2002.