BY DAVE BENJAMIN
Staff Writer

JACKSON - There is a smile on the face of a special Jackson Memorial High School graduate who is planning to continue his education this fall at Ocean County College, Toms River.

"For the past 18 years of my life I have been involved with the Jackson school district, both as a student and as an advocate for the district itself," said Andrew McGeady.

McGeady, who has cerebral palsy, began his education in the Jackson schools after he turned 3, and now at the age of 21 (by law he was permitted to remain in the district until that age) he is able to look back at his experiences.

"So many people have helped to support me over the years," he said. "[There were] teachers, bus drivers, paraprofessionals, secretaries, case managers, occupational therapists and physical therapists, as well as other support people."

McGeady said the best thing about his education was that he was able to be educated with non-disabled peers.

"I was able to be included with the other students," he said. "Just being part of the regular school program, I guess, has made an impact on my life. My experience of being part of the Jackson school district wouldn't at all be possible without the grace of God who has blessed me over the past 18 years."

Throughout the years there have been challenges and obstacles along the way. McGeady learned that life is not always peaches and cream and at an early age he learned one philosophical idea that holds true for him: when life gives you lemons, you simply make lemonade.

"When your are presented with something that is difficult, you try to make the best out of it," he explained. "You have to see the situation in the best light and work through whatever the problem is to come to a solution. That goes for everyone."

McGeady recalled a time when he felt that one teacher he had was not accepting or accommodating of the equipment and the special aide he needed to have with him. He said it was through the persistence and perseverance of his mother, Zinke, his case manager, Gaile Emen, and Al Tagliabue, the director of special services, that he was removed from the class, and placed into a more accommodating and understanding situation.

Needless to say, it was definitely a change for the better, he said.

"I was able to be with everybody else," McGeady said. "With others who were non-disabled. The teacher was more accepting of my disability. She understood the accommodations I needed."

McGeady said it was better socially for him to be with everybody and to partake of some of the things that all students like to enjoy.

"I am so fortunate that I was able to go through the Jackson school district and not have to attend a segregated school for the disabled in order to receive the services I was entitled to under a free and appropriate education," he said.

He said the Jackson school district used support, accommodation, training and progressive thinking to make his education a success. Working in a least restrictive environment saved the school district tens of thousands of dollars for his education, McGeady said, explaining the benefit to the district.

"Think of all the students who benefited by my being there," he said. " It was a win-win situation."

McGeady said he is interested in graphics arts and digital photography based on courses that were offered at Jackson Memorial. He also did some editing on the computer at JMHS for the school newspaper.

"I'm planning on attending Ocean County College," he said. "Hopefully that will be in September. I'm planning to take up web design."

McGeady said he believes he is prepared for college because of the experiences he had in Jackson schools. He said he expects there may be some accommodations at college, but there will be no modifications to the work.

"The work will be the same that everybody else does," he said.

He plans to attend college two days a week and to continue working at Cosimo's pizza in the Freehold Raceway Mall, Freehold Township, and at Home Depot, Howell. McGeady is also a volunteer at the Lehman School in Lakewood, where he helps children, teenagers and adults who have certain disabilities.