http://www.deafeducation.org/stories/ropeswrath.html
Saturday, June 24, 2006
STORIES
Sweetmind
Saturday, June 24, 2006
STORIES
THE TRUTH
THE ROPES OF WRATH
BACK
The Ropes of Wrath I attended a PHU Primary school in London between 1969-1975. The unit followed a strict oralist policy, as I was to discover to my cost! The one abiding memory I have is being tied up to a chair - the crime? To use my hands in an unacceptable way i.e. gestures in trying to communicate with my playmates in the playground. I remember vividly being frogmarched to my classroom and being plonked on my chair. The 'punishment ropes' were swiftly taken out of the drawer and tied around me, with my hands behind my back - effectively tying me to my chair. I was to remain tied up for the rest of the afternoon until school finished. I was only 7 years old, for Christ sakes! Unfortunately in those days, it was seen as the proper and correct way of discouraging sign language in the classroom/playground. I hope the teacher who inflicted the punishment on me is proud of herself and is serving hard labour in a penal prison with her mouth taped up! Sweet justice eh!
Kathy Liddy
Sweetmind