Make Your Way 5, Schulbuch mit Audio-CD und CD-ROM

Aine Rathwell, 16, may have Down’s syndrome, but she’s proved it doesn’t have to be a handicap. “I’ve had to change schools 10 times in my life, ’cause my dad has worked all over the world. It can be very difficult when you’re different like me, I always get nervous the first day, ’cause I worry that the other pupils won’t like me. But usually I make friends just by talking to people and being myself. Most people are nice, but I do get bullied sometimes – like pinching my cheeks or teasing me because I’m chubby. Because I’ve got learning difficulties, Mum had a hard time finding schools in England that would accept me. I think the schools were worried I wouldn’t do very well or that they’d have to pay for the extra help I needed. When I was 12 Mum took me to three schools and none of them would have me. I was really bothered by it at the time – I thought it meant they didn’t like me. But when we moved to Preston two years ago, our local school, Longridge County High, accepted me straightaway. They made sure I had a teaching assistant who was with me for most lessons to help take notes or explain anything I didn’t understand. Without her I don’t know if I’d have coped. Missing out School’s been brilliant, but I know I miss out on some things. I can’t do much sport because I get tired quickly and I don’t go out very often. Sometimes I feel left out because most of my friends have boyfriends. I’ve got lots of boy mates but I’ve never gone out with anyone. Most of all though, I’d just like everyone to treat me normally. Sometimes people don’t know what to say when they meet me for the first time, so they act as if I don’t exist, or talk to me as if I’m a little girl rather than a teenager, which makes me feel awful. Top class That’s why I was over the moon when I got my GCSE results. I had five passes in English, double science, French and art, and although the grades were on the low side it meant I’d won a place at college. My family went mad celebrat- ing and I made it into the papers. It wasn’t easy, but I was really proud that I’d proved all the people who doubted me wrong.” Fay Bailaye, 14, Aine’s friend “Before I met Aine I never knew anyone with Down’s syndrome and I thought she wouldn’t be as bright as other people – but I was so wrong. She’s very open and affectionate and not afraid to speak her mind. I’ve known Aine for two years now and she’s the best friend you could ever want. It makes me really angry when people won’t give her a chance or tease her ’cause she’s different. Some teenagers might feel nervous about talking to a Down’s syndrome person, but I’d say, ‘Make the effort – if you ignore someone like Aine, you’ll be the one who’s losing out.’” Aine’s mum is dead proud “Five GCSE passes for a person with Down’s syndrome is a major achievement. Aine was refused a place at three UK schools, and on one occasion I was told privately that it was because the school didn’t want to jeopardise its league table results. Aine is proof that kids with learning difficulties can do really well in mainstream education.” “My family’s so proud of me” Down’s syndrome: Affects one in 1,000 kids. It’s caused by a genetic accident at the time of conception which creates an extra chromosome (47 instead of 46) and disturbs a baby’s development. Traits include distinct physical characteristics, learning difficulties, and increased chance of heart, sight and hearing problems. Sufferers may be different, but you don’t have to treat them differently – we’re all entitled to bull-free friendship. Reading Read the text below, then choose the correct answer (A, B, C, or D) for questions 1–5. Put a in the correct box. The first one (0) has been done for you. 17 204 Nur zu Prüfzwecke – Eigentum des Verlags öbv