An Interview with Shaun

What has been the most exciting thing you have done at St. John’s?

The most exiting thing I have done is perform at gigs in the summer term. I like playing in front of a big audience because it helps to build up my confidence.

Do you feel like you have good opportunities at St. John’s?

I like the opportunities in woodwork and music because I can make things for myself and for other people. I like doing recording because we have new equipment which means we can mix and produce our songs and we can listen to our progress.

How has St. John’s helped you get to where you want to go?

I have been given the option to choose the subjects I like and the teachers have helped me to learn the basics and the advanced things too.

Have you enjoyed your time at St. John’s?

I found it hard to get started at first but have really enjoyed the last two years. I was worried that I might get excluded from school and if I hadn’t found the college I don’t know where I would be now.

BLESSINGS

A poem by Joseph:

He was blind,

He had no sight.

A world only dominated

By darkness, not a glimpse of light.

He was mute,

Not a word he could speak.

A world only dominated

By frustration, a world so bleak.

He was deaf

Not a sound he could hear.

A world only dominated

By silence and fear.

He has lost a limb

He hadn’t a leg

A world only dominated

By four wheels and a bed.

But he could touch, though he had no sight,

For he couldn’t talk, but he had thoughts day and night.

But he was deaf, his world so alone

For he couldn’t walk

And I always moan.

For I’ve been blessed with many things

But problems I’ve had to face,

I can walk and see and talk,

Yet their life seems an empty space.

I can speak lots of words,

And I can hear many sounds.

For I’m lucky with all these things I can do,

And yet I always frown.

I want an end to suffering,

I want the pain to cease.

No more tears, they disappear,

At last, eternal peace.