This entire experience in learning about people who are mentally handicapped has been very challenging and eye-opening. First reading “The Boys Next Door” and talking about it in class several times, reading Dr. Fettke’s article about his son and his experiences and thoughts, and then visiting AFI and talking with the class about that has really opened my mind to the world that the mentally handicapped experience. Each of these things brought new and different thoughts and opinions to my mind that helped me to learn and grow.
Reading “The Boys Next Door” opened up the experience for me. I wasn’t really too sure what to think after reading the First Act, but after finishing the story and talking about it in class, it really set the tone. Reading Dr. Fettke’s article brought all of this into perspective personally. As he talked about his son, I was reminded of whom I consider my little sister, Eva. My mom has been babysitting her for quite some time now. Then visiting AFI and talking with the class really pulled it all together. My heart now goes out to the mentally handicapped more than it did before this experience in Intro to Lit. My heart already went out to them, considering Eva, but I have developed a better understanding and passion now.
Reading “The Boys Next Door” again tonight, I had a different understanding and different thoughts as I was reading as I did before. It seems that AFI and the situation in “The Boys Next Door,” with four mentally handicapped people living together in an apartment with a supervisor who checks up on them regularly, are very similar. Both of these situations present an atmosphere that encourages and teaches independence. That way, the mentally handicapped can learn to go throughout normal daily activities on their own.
This experience has been a good one, thus far, and has really touched my heart. Though they may be impaired in the mind, the mentally handicapped can challenge you to think harder and more creative than you ever have before.
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