Tampa, Florida---Sandra Layman's students at Lowry Elementary School are just like any other kids their age. They love story time.
But if you look a little closer you'll see her students are just a little different.
Layman teaches children with physical impairments.
She was inspired by her own sister who is mentally disabled.
- Sandra Layman/Lowry Elementary
- “She made me the person I am today. It wasn't like what a shame she has a disability. It's like thank God she's in my life and look how she has touched everyone around her.”
Layman hopes her students with disabilities will show the entire school they are students with possibilities.
To accomplish that, Layman has made it possible for some 5th graders at Lowry to tutor some of her students.
The transformation has been remarkable. George is in the gifted program at Lowry and he says it makes him feel good to help others.
- George/5th grader
- “They are just people like us. It doesn't matter if they can't walk or talk like us. It's not what on the outside, it's what's on the inside. You are still a normal, living, breathing person.”
The students actually give up their free time to help. There are days Layman says she has more tutors than students.
it's hard to tell who is doing the most giving. I think the more that kids are exposed to kids from the regular population are exposed to kids in my class and vice versa we all inspire each other.
They form lasting and loving relatinships like the one between 12 year old Delana and 8 year old Genesis.
They are both Hanna Montanna fans.
Layman says she goes home each day with newfound respect for her students. She says they have every right to complain and feel sorry for themselves but they don't. Their attitude has been inspiring to her.
- Sandra Layman/Lowry Elementary
- “It makes you go home and say how silly was I to stress about that extra ten pounds I have to lose. These kids come to school and some of them have these horrible disabilities and they push on and they try and they have the best attitude. How how can you not love that?”
Ginger Gadsden, Tampa Bay's 10 News