Educator plans book signing Sept. 23 in Oxford
OXFORD, Miss. – Quadriplegic cerebral palsy dealt Maxine Harper
a devastating blow that robbed her of most of her physical abilities
but not her spirit and keen intellect. A faculty member at the
University of Mississippi since 2000, Harper uses a computer, with a
key guard and word prediction software program, to type around 10 words
a minute.
Aside from her work as clinical assistant professor of education and
interim director of the Center for Educational Research and Evaluation
at UM, Harper has penned – one key at a time – an inspirational book,
“Maxine Harper’s Journey of Hope.”
In the heart-tugging
story, she shares her dreams, struggles, triumphs and faith, showing
how she has faced life confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak
clearly and with limited use of her hands.
“It isn’t easy to open up your life story to the world,” she
said, adding that she hopes it will inspire parents, teachers and
others to help children with disabilities live up to their fullest
potential.
Harper is scheduled to sign copies of her book at Off Square
Books in Oxford at 5 p.m. Wednesday (Sept. 23). The book was published
by Lantern Publishing Co., Harper’s self-created business.
Harper’s presence on the Ole Miss campus has inspired many, including education Dean Tom Burnham.
“Maxine is a brilliant, amazing lady,” Burnham said. “She is an
inspiration to all of our students, faculty and myself. I have
tremendous respect for her. She is both a fantastic educator and role
model.”
As a young child growing up in Greenwood during the early 1960s
– long before the 1990 passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act –
Harper had no legal grounds on which to enroll in public school. A
principal even told her that she would never be able to attend.
“I wanted so desperately to go to school with my sister, and
many tears were shed over that principal’s decision,” Harper recalls.
“I looked at that school as though it was a candy store whose door was
locked to me. I could only see through the windows at something I could
not have.”
Despite the setback, Harper began attending a half-day school
for children with disabilities. Then a new public school principal
arrived in town, and with the collaboration of her teacher and parents,
she started public school in the sixth grade. That same year, she
earned top honors in English and literature.
Winning more honors along the way, she graduated as
valedictorian of her class. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in
special education and doctorate in curriculum and supervision, both
from Delta State University, as well as a master’s degree in special
education from Mississippi State University.
Over time, cerebral palsy took a severe toll on Harper’s joints,
and doctors implanted a pain pump near her spine to help ease the
suffering. That device broke in half in 2005.
“That crisis nearly took my life,” Harper said. “I had the
device repaired but was told it could break again at any time.”
Facing the news, Harper began to wonder about her legacy. She
had taught an online course at Ole Miss for several years, but she
yearned to leave behind something of more value. So she embarked on an
innovative effort with a colleague to teach in the classroom. She
wanted to show UM students that people with special needs can succeed.
“I love the interaction with the students,” Harper said.
Harper teamed with Diane Lowry, UM coordinator of special
education curriculum and instruction, to co-teach EDSP 308,
Introduction to Special Education. Demand for the course has grown so
that Harper teaches a section by herself.
“Not only are we teaching this information, we’re modeling it,”
Lowry said. “Students get to see what we teach about in practice.”
Harper’s legacy continues to expand as her memoir reaches more
people. Robert Hughes, president and CEO of the National Institute for
School Leadership in Washington, D.C., commended her achievements.
(Hughes lost a brother to cerebral palsy).
“Maxine’s story is a powerful force as a case study within our
institute on students with disabilities,” Hughes said. “Her impact is
wide and deep across the nation.”
For more information, visit http://maxineharper.com.