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Graduating Peter
Some years ago, an excellent documentary entitled
Educating Peter told the story of a child with mental
retardation being included in a first grade general education
class — the struggles and amazing successes. The video won
several awards for it’s ability to engage the heart as well as
mind.
from the
Michigan Network for
Inclusive Schooling (Mi-NIS) Listserv
For more articles visit
www.bridges4kids.org.
Now, some years later, Peter is graduating from high school.
Below is an announcement about show times for this documentary
on HBO.
AMERICA UNDERCOVER DOCUMENTARY GRADUATING PETER, CHRONICLING
THE HIGH SCHOOL JOURNEY OF A STUDENT WITH DOWN SYNDROME,
DEBUTS JAN. 21, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO
Film Is Follow-Up To Oscar award Winning 1992 HBO Special
"Educating Peter"
Since 1975, federal law has given students with disabilities
the right to attend class with non-disabled students, a
process called inclusion. In 1991, Peter Gwazdauskas, a third
grader with Down syndrome, became one of the first students
with severe disabilities to attend classes at his southern
Virginia elementary school, an experience that was
documented in Gerardine Wurzburg's HBO special
"Educating Peter."
"Educating
Peter" made strides for the disabilities rights movement, and
won an Oscar in the Documentary Short Subject category, but
did not tell the whole story. When Peter entered sixth grade,
Wurzburg returned to Blacksburg, Va., to continue filming him.
For seven years, as Peter grew from an adolescent to an adult,
she chronicled his life, capturing both daily occurrences and
formative events, from sixth grade through high school
graduation. The America Undercover documentary GRADUATING
PETER invites viewers to take a walk in Peter's shoes when it
debuts TUESDAY, JAN. 21 (7:30-9:00 p.m. ET), exclusively on
HBO.
Other HBO playdates: Jan. 24 (11:00
a.m.), 26 (11:45 a.m.) and 30 (6:15 a.m.).
HBO2 playdate: Jan. 29 (6:45 p.m.).
An inspiring and thought-provoking follow-up to "Educating
Peter," GRADUATING PETER offers a glimpse into a world seldom
seen. This unflinchingly honest film includes scenes that show
Peter confronting depression, loneliness and the limitations
of his disability. His deficient speech and communication
skills often make it difficult for him to be assimilated
at school, isolating him from his peers, while others'
dismissive attitudes and lack of respect can jeopardize
Peter's progress.
GRADUATING
PETER also shows Peter emerging from his shell, gaining
acceptance from his peers, and enjoying classic high school
moments. In his senior year, Peter becomes the manager of the
varsity boys soccer team, escorts another student to the
senior prom, and, to the cheers of his classmates, graduates
with a Certificate of Attendance.
The film is a
testament to those on the frontlines fighting for Peter's
rights, especially his mother Judy. In meeting after meeting,
she checks in with Peter's teachers, makes plans for his
transition to high school, and later, into the community, and
struggles to treat his complex medical problems. Through it
all, Judy is there for Peter, waging a constant battle
to build the best future for her son. At the end of
GRADUATING PETER, that future is not clear. It will not be
without challenges, but Peter has learned enough life
and job skills to give himself a fighting chance for
independence, and a full life.
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