Chapter 6 of “A Short Bus” Book by J. Mooney

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Summary of the chapter

Chapter 6 details the author’s trip with Becky that starts at Austin, Texas. The author wants to interact with people who are sidelined by society because of their disabilities. Therefore, they visit several places that are havens for freaks. For instance, they make a stopover at Elvis’s house, the Museum of Wonder, and Gibsonton, which is a freak-show retirement community (Mooney, 2007). The author has a liking for Gibsonton because it is full of freaks whose lifestyles make him feel comfortable and dispel the feeling of inferiority as a result of his disability. He describes some of the towns they saw on the way to Houston from Austin, some of which are inhabited by African Americas of low socioeconomic status. In the chapter, the author also discusses in detail his experience with a learning disability, which subjected him to numerous challenges during his childhood. He reminisces after visiting Margaret’s Grocery, which reminds him of his childhood and brings back painful memories. The main goal of the trip was to feel like a freak, so he visited several places that validated their presumed identity. He describes his visit to Elvis’s house in Graceland. The house is filled with different costumes and paraphernalia that present Elvis as a freak. Afterwards, they visit the Museum of Wonder, which is an example of how disabled people overcome their challenges to attain success. The museum is run by Butch who has a learning disability. As a child, he found it difficult to read. However, he was offered an opportunity to study zoology at Auburn University (Mooney, 2007). Unfortunately, he did not complete his degree. Butch takes him and Becky on a tour of the museum. They are mesmerized by how perfectly the house is built, the eclectic collection of art and objects, and the telepathic chicken (Mooney, 2007). After leaving the museum, they travelled to Gibsonton, Florida, the last stop that they make in the trip. A waitress at a bar they visit gives the author directions to a social club where the performers of freak shows met regularly. After visiting the club, the author realizes that freak shows had been dead for many years and there were no freaks to be found in Gibsonton anymore. The chapter concludes as he says good bye to Becky who is headed to New York. His next stop is Richmond, Virginia, where he is set to interview a blind and deaf eight-year old girl named Ashley.

The challenges the author of the chapter faced

The author’s challenges as a child are revealed during a visit to Margaret’s Grocery. The grocery made him feel out of control and reminded him of his childhood. As a dyslexic child, the author faced many challenges. He faced the challenge of feeling out of control in many situations and the need to act violently in order to disguise his pain. Dyslexia made it hard for him to understand the world and gain reading proficiency. The nausea of confusion and deep fear always overcame him because he was afraid that he would be kicked out of school for poor performance (Mooney, 2007). He became aggressive toward himself and others as a way of coping with his pain. The chapter discusses how he unsuccessfully tried to manipulate various outcomes in his life. His brutality drove away his best friend Steve, the only person who knew about his learning disability (Mooney, 2007). It was ironical for the author to refer to his best friend as stupid Steve even though both of them had learning disabilities. After losing friends to his unwelcoming nature, the author became lonely and hopeless, which led him to contemplate suicide at the age of twelve (Mooney, 2007). He wrote a suicide note, but fortunately enough, his dad saved him. His dad confessed how much he loved him despite his poor performance at school. The author also faced the challenge of determining and developing his identity through soccer. Soccer was a key aspect of his childhood and it played a big role in the development of his identity. The outcome of a game determined how he felt, and her mother would be warm or cold toward him based on how his team performed.

What aspects of our primary text (Diversity Consciousness) relate to the chapter?

One of the aspects of the primary text that relates to chapter six is the issue of diversity. The text discusses that dimensions of diversity are found within individuals and groups. This diversity can be seen in the possession of different abilities among people of different ages and ethnicities. Diversity is a common theme that is explored differently in the two texts. The story of Butch explores the challenges of diversity in a society that belittles people with disability. His learning disability made him different from other people. His unique interests led him to create the Museum of Wonder and pursue his dreams despite possessing a disability (Mooney, 2007). Another aspect that is common to both texts is the issue of diversity consciousness development. One of the areas of proficiency that enhances the development of diversity consciousness is the expansion of knowledge of others and their worlds. The author takes the trip through America to expand his knowledge about people living with disabilities and understand how they cope with the challenges that they face every day. His expanded knowledge of their lives, talents, and abilities allows him to develop diversity consciousness. He appreciates how they struggle with challenges such as writing and spelling, loneliness, and the inability to understand the world (Mooney, 2007). Majority of the people with disability are not fully accepted by others because of the misunderstanding that originates from the belief that disability is inability. The author interacts with Butch successfully because he understands his challenges and accepts his diversity. His learning disability does not make him an inferior human being, as is evident from his accomplishments.

How we should honor disability without dishonoring the individual?

One of the most effective ways of honoring disability without dishonoring the individual is by accepting people for their values and talents and not for the disability they have. This would involve learning more about people with disabilities, their aptitudes, challenges, and accomplishments, and accepting them despite their differences. Honoring disability would also involve giving people with disabilities their human and civil rights, allowing them equal access to opportunities, and treating them with love, respect, and dignity. The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed more than two decades ago. However, people with disabilities still face the challenges of discrimination and inequality. It is the responsibility of every individual to make society inclusive regardless of whether they are disabled or not. People with disabilities should be given equal access to resources and opportunities in all areas including politics, the labor market, the academe, and religion. Disability is not tantamount to disability. Therefore, it is unethical to treat people based on their abilities, limitations, or differences. Finally, it is important to promote social inclusion in schools and other social institutions. More social inclusion could occur if children are people to embrace individual differences at a young age. Children with and without disabilities must learn together in order to promote the appreciation of diversity and the different gifts that people possess.

Reference

Mooney, J. (2007). A short bus: A journey beyond normal. New York, NY: Henry Holt and Co.

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Chapter 6 of “A Short Bus” Book by J. Mooney

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