One Person's 'Brief But Spectacular' Take on Flourishing with a Disability
Ask students: Where was Willobwbrook located? Where did Fred Goldstein live for 20 years after Willowbrook? When did Fred leave Willowbrook?
Summary
Author and lecturer Allan Goldstein’s younger brother Fred is a survivor of the Willowbrook State School, an institution on Staten Island for people with disabilities that became notorious in the 1970s for its neglect and abuse of residents. Once Fred got out, Goldstein saw his brother’s many talents that had never been nurtured. He shares his Brief But Spectacular take on how everybody can learn.
For a transcript of this story, click here.
News wrap alternative: Check out recent segments from the NewsHour, and choose the story you’re most interested in watching. You can make a Google doc copy of discussion questions that work for any of the stories here.
Five Facts
- Where was Willobwbrook located? Where did Fred Goldstein live for 20 years after Willowbrook?
- What did Fred Goldstein present at the New York City Poetry Festival?
- When did Fred leave Willowbrook?
- How many students was Willowbrook initially built for?
- Why did Allan realize Fred’s potential had been lost when Allan was 49 and Fred was 45? What did he choose to do about it?
Focus Questions
What did you feel after you watched this video? Would you take Allan Goldstein’s course? What are some solutions for how to treat those with severe disabilities, like Fred?
News Analysis: What are some strengths in segments like Brief But Spectacular in which there is a single narration? Weaknesses?
Alternative: See, Think, Wonder: What did you notice? What did the story make you think? What story would you want to find out more about? Where would you go to learn more?
For More
What students can do: Encourage others to learn, even in unconventional ways.
Student Video of the Day via Student Reporting Labs
This lesson was written by Benjamin Thernstrom, a high school senior in Arlington, Virginia, and PBS NewsHour Classroom intern, with editing by Vic Pasquantonio. Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
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