The Six Values 1
The Six Values that Influenced the Life of Barbara Moise
Mary Haviland
Western Oregon University
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Lotte Moise wrote Barbara and Fred Grownups Now: Living with Developmental
Disabilities. This book was copyrighted in 1998 and published by Cypress House in Fort Bragg,
California.
The author, Lotte Moise, wrote this book about her family and more specifically, her
daughter Barbara. Lotte discusses their lives growing up with Barbara, and the impacts she made
in California for those with Intellectual Disabilities. Barbara was in her forties when her mother
wrote this book. One of the first organizations in California for people with disabilities called the
Parents and Friends of Retarded Children was established in 1955. Lotte was apart of that
organization to make changes for those with disabilities.
Lotte established the Paul Bunyan School in September 1960. Ten children of all ages
and sizes attended the Paul Bunyan School during regular school hours. This school was
established because Lotte knew that many students were turned away from public schools
because of their disabilities. She knew that these children could learn if someone took the time to
teach them. Lotte Moise went to school to become a Special Educator.
She spoke about how she felt when she found out her daughter had Mental Retardation.
Barbara was born in 1953. In the 1950s, Mental Retardation was the term that was used to
described a person who has a lower than normal IQ. Lotte Moise talked about the pain and guilt
she felt when she thought she had done something wrong to cause Barbara to have Mental
Retardation.
Lotte Moise talked about what she refers to as the six R’s. The Six R’s are the right to
respect, regard for differences of opinion, room for differences, risk taking, responsibility, and
readiness for role changes. She spoke about their trip to Denmark and how that changed not only
her life, but Barbara’s too. Finally, Lotte discusses Barbara’s want for independence like her
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older brother and sister and about Barbara’s relationship with Fred.
There are six values that need to be discussed and how they relate to Barbara. These
values are Great Expectations, Choices, Positive Contributions, Strengths, Relationships, and
Full Citizenship. Some of these values may not have been as well established in Barbara’s life as
others, but they are all worth discussing.
Great Expectations means that students have many capabilities that may have not been
tapped. New visions of what is possible can be developed. These new visions can become
realities. Great Expectations means bringing in new perspectives of what life can be as well as
support for fulfilling these dreams (Turnbull, Turnbull, Wehmeyer, 2010).
Lotte’s daughter Barbara, was born in the mid 1950s. She was diagnosed as having
Mental Retardation. Today, we would refer to her as having an Intellectual Disability, but Mental
Retardation was the term used during that time.
Until her mother started the Paul Bunyan School in 1960, Barbara did not go to school. In
fact, children could be turned away for all kinds of reasons when Barbara was growing up. When
Lotte Moise established the Paul Bunyan School, this began the schooling of both Barbara and
many others that lived in the area who were not allowed at school.
Lotte Moise had great expectations for her daughter. When Barbara was little, Lotte was
not sure what her daughter would be capable of doing. However, as Barbara got older, she
voiced what she wanted in life. As Barbara was growing up, Lotte realized the different
capabilities that her daughter had. She also realized some limitations, but she never let them
influence her daughters life. She never old her that she could not do something. When Barbara
wanted more independence, Lotte helped make that happen. When Barbara wanted to move out,
Lotte helped make that happen. When Barbara wanted a job, Lotte and the staff members at
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Barbara’s group home helped her find one that worked best for her. Barbara still tries new things
that are not always easy for her. No one tells her that she cannot do something, and if someone
does, she does not let that stop her.
Students and families can direct their own lives. Enabling them to act on their own
choices and preferences promotes their self-determination (Turnbull, 2010). Barbara makes
decisions for herself. As mentioned earlier that when she wanted more independence, she
essentially got it. When she wanted to move out, she did. Barbara made the decision that she
wanted to be with her long time boyfriend Fred even when people tried to keep them separate.
She made the decision to share a bedroom with him and stay committed to him. Barbara made
the decision to have a job and to travel by bus alone. No one tries to talk her out of any decisions
that she makes. Instead they try to help her be successful in any decision that she wants to make.
The only time that Barbara was deprived of making a decision, was when her parents
decided to give Barbara a tubal ligation when she was a teenager. Barbara had no part in this
decision. She was told she was having her appendix taken out. However, Barbara knows now
what this surgery did for her. This surgery took away her ability to have children. She loves
babies. Lotte now feels that she should have talked with Barbara about it prior to the surgery, but
still feels this was the best way to prevent her from getting pregnant.
Students need increased opportunities to contribute positively to their families, schools,
friends, and communities (Turnbull, 2010). When Barbara was growing up, she got to observe
her older brother and sister. They helped her along and taught her things that she did not
understand. Her mother, Lotte Moise, started the school that she went to. Her family included her
on trips, such as trips to Denmark, where Barbara got the opportunity to stay in a group home
establishment. She has lived in a few different group homes. Barbara attended summer camps
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where her mother was volunteering while in school getting her degree in Special Education and
developing her confidence in teaching. Her boyfriend Fred, whom she is fully committed to, live
their lives together. These examples are all opportunities where Barbara has been able to
contribute positively.
Students and families have many natural capabilities. They need opportunities for
educational programs to identify, highlight, and build upon their strengths (Turnbull, 2010).
Since Barbara was not allowed to enroll into public school, the Paul Bunyan School, her mother
began, educated her. Her schooling taught her different everyday tasks that she would need to be
successful on her own.
One way Barbara’s capabilities were encouraged was by praising her for the tasks she
completed. This praise began at a young age with her. She was praised for walking, using the
bathroom, her first words, and completing sentences. Encouraging Barbara helps her learn new
skills and improve on the skills she already has.
Lotte mentioned that there are now programs that can help children like Barbara who
have Intellectual Disabilities that can work with them at a young age to start forming skills
earlier. With Barbara however, her simple skills like walking and talking were delayed, and
public schooling was not an option. Since Lotte opened a school for children like Barbara or
children with more severe disabilities, Barbara did have the opportunity to be educated.
Relationships are important. Connections are crucial to quality of life. Students and
families need to connect with each other, educators, and friends in the community (Turnbull,
2010).
Barbara has had the opportunity to have many types of relationships. She shares
friendship and love with her family, she has had many friends, and has a close, meaningful
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relationship with her boyfriend Fred. Barbara has met many people. She has many close friends
that care for her and want to see the best for her. She has had people in life that are no longer
around. She has suffered loss. Barbara has went through the loss of some pets and the loss of her
father. She has made many friends, and these friends are what helps her be her own person, be
accepted for who she is, and encourage her to try new things.
Less able does not mean less worthy. All students including those with exceptionalities,
and their families are entitled to full participation in American life (Turnbull, 2010). The only
participation that Barbara could not fully participate in was the public school system. Barbara
grew up when public schools could turn children away for being different. Public school systems
use to think that less able meant less worthy. After being educated by her mother, who went to
school to learn how to educate students who had disabilities, Barbara has been able to fully
participate in American life. She lives in a group home, where she is fairly independent. She
lives with her boyfriend Fred. They share a bedroom. Her and Fred want to get married, but
cannot afford to do so. She has a job and earns a paycheck. She can swim. She can travel alone
on the bus. In all aspects, she fully participates in American life.
Barbara was one of the more fortunate children who grew up with an intellectual
disability. She was not put into an institution. She had and still has people who care for her and
encourage her success. She was able to experience all six important values of having people
envision great expectations for her, encouraging her positive contributions, building upon her
strengths, making choices, having different kinds of relationships, and experiencing full
citizenship. She has ownership of her life and enjoys life with her boyfriend Fred.