When A Disabled Student Realized She Wouldn't Be Able To Go On A Hiking Trip, Her Teacher Came Up With An Inspiring Plan

Jun 15, 2018 by apost team

A dedicated special education teacher in Chicago and the director of student services at the Academy for Global Citizenship, Helma annually takes the time to organize a yearly field trip for her students to go camping for three days. 

During this field trip, Helma arranges for students to explore nature and hike, something students eagerly look forward to every year. Unfortunately, Maggie, a fourth grader with cerebral palsy, did not seem to physically be able to make the trip. 

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Maggie's walker and wheelchair were simply too big and bulky for the hiking, so Helma did everything she could to devise a way to get Maggie on that trip. 

As a special education teacher, Helma understands just how important inclusion is and was not about to exclude Maggie from this much-anticipated excursion. 

Desperate for a solution, Helma got the idea to reach out to Greg Coleman at her neighborhood REI store. At first Greg had difficulty finding something that would hold the weight of a fourth grader. None of his travel carriers or slings would work for a child that size. 

With news like this, Helma even attempted to borrow a pony for Maggie to ride. Unfortunately, this was not permitted on their hikes. Then, she tried to wheel Maggie in a wheelbarrow, but the terrain proved to be too much for the instable contraption. 

Then, just right before the hike, when hopes were low and both were feeling disappointed, Greg at REI found something to work. In his email to Helma, he said, "I couldn't let go of that idea. I really want to help you out." 

Maggie finally got to go on the trip she had been looking forward to for a long time, but it wasn't exactly easy for Helma who carried Maggie on her back for three days. 

But it wasn't quite as easy as Helma made it seem. She even stated that even though she worked out often, she still knew it would be a challenge, but Maggie's smile made it worth it. 

And, as for Maggie, she rated this field trip a 10 out 10, just as we would rate Maggie's teacher the exact same. 

Some teachers really go the extra mile, but in Maggie and Helma's case, it was quite literal! How far would you go to make a 4th grader feel included? Show this to a friend or family member who could use a little inspiration.