Drummer who is blind brings disability awareness to Glen Ellyn school

Visits from a prosthetics designer, a drummer who is blind and a swimming paralympian helped bring messages of inclusion and empathy to Glen Crest Middle School's first disability awareness week.

A week of activities ended Friday with a closing assembly at the Glen Ellyn campus. Teachers and Glen Ellyn Elementary District 89 nurse Sandra Lawinger planned the events through Educating Outside the Lines, an organization founded by Patty O'Machel, a social worker and parent of a child with cerebral palsy.

Throughout the week, PE students used sports wheelchairs in gym class.

Ahalya Lettenberger, a Glenbard West High School student, reflected on her paralympic swimming career and competitive streak. She was born with arthrogryposis, a musculoskeletal condition.

And Tommy Carroll, a Chicago-based drummer who is blind and played a show at the Steppenwolf Theatre last month, led students in jam sessions during music classes.