The Boys Next Door

When I read the title of this play, I did not think that it would be about adults with disabilities. I thought it was going to be some twisted love story. Once I found out that the main characters had disabilities, I was instantly connected with the play. I definitely love plays and am studying special education, so it is a great combination. I found it very interesting that a play would involve people with disabilities. I can imagine that it would be hard to write a play that incorporates humor when dealing with the disabled. Some would consider it to be disrespectful. I on the other hand think it’s amazing and feel like a lot people will benefit from it. More people need to be exposed to the disabled and some of the struggles they deal with. They also need to be exposed with the struggles that other people deal with that work and live with them. I never really enjoyed working with disabled people until I got to Southeastern. In fact, I actually felt really uncomfortable around them and never imagined that I would be majoring in Special Education. God definitely had a different plan that I expected and has led me down this path. I have been working with these students for the past year and a half and have had such an amazing time. I definitely have been stretched to my limits and can completely understand how Jack feels. There are so many times that I get frustrated like him and feel inadequate to be in the position that I am. Jack has his hands full and has every right to get overwhelmed. Norman, Barry, Arnold and Lucien are a hand full and require a lot of assistance. Some of the things that they do are funny to read about but not too fun for Jack to deal with.