​

In Memory of 

​Ben

Ben's Life was a grassroots movement. The inclusion of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in the regular classroom of the neighborhood school was just the beginning.The inclusion of someone with such profound disabilities was hardly a blip on anyone's radar way back then. There was tremendous resistance at first when I first brought the idea of inclusion to the school district. But with patience, a couple of years, love, and support--a model of inclusion was created, not just for Ben, but for all students, the teachers, and students families.

As a student in the regular classroom, ben became a teacher of acceptance, a fried to those who needed him most, an example of what it means to be joyful no matter the challenges life presents, and how to love those who felt unloved. He shared his life and his gift, unconditionally. 

Ben was all the things I described and more. He was also a person who could drive me a little crazy, maybe a lot crazy at times. We would all gladly have Ben back, the craziness and all. Ben was a teacher of many, and he loved us deeply. He is in Heaven with God. It has been a beautiful journey. 

He is so greatly missed!

​Ben

​September 20, 1989 to October 4, 2021

By Terry Kozloff, Ben's Mother