One Child was a story about a six-year-old child by the name of Sheila. Sheila was a lost, wild and neglected individual, until she was placed in Torey Hayden’s classroom. Her mother abandoned her on the side of the road and took off with Sheila’s brother. This incident has left such an impeccable mark on Sheila’s heart and mind. This left her with her father, who tolerates her and spanks her to make her into a “better child”. Throughout her short-lived life, Sheila has been told that she was nothing and will never amount to anything. Sheila has heard this so often that she actually believes it. All of that comes to a change when she meets Torey Hayden. Torey Hayden was special education teacher who has a special touch when it came to kids with disabilities. It wasn’t until …show more content…
Sheila is abused physically, emotionally, verbally and sexually. Her father beats her to make her good child. Her mother leaves and takes Sheila’s brother with her. This leaves Sheila in such an emotional state. This is something Sheila seems to bring up a lot when she opens up to Torey. Sheila’s Uncle Jerry tries to rape Sheila and ends up hurting her emotionally as well. All throughout life, Sheila is told that she will never be anything and never amount to anything. Sheila is only six years old and has such great knowledge of this information that she believes it herself. The greatest theme of all is, never give up.
That’s exactly what Torey Hayden did for Sheila. She never gave up on her! Torey remained patient, understanding and nourishing, everything that Sheila needed and more. No one took a chance on Sheila. There was a time when Sheila’s teacher, before Torey, tried but of course she gave up on Sheila. Anton, Torey’s helper, had an understanding of Sheila because they lived in the same migrant camp. Although he had an understanding of Sheila it was still hard for him to reach her. Anton still did not give up on Sheila.
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