The Bluffton University "Diagnosis and Educational Planning class taught by Tim Byers recently spent an evening with Peter De Meo a new Bluffton resident. 

De Meo, an adult with Cerebral Palsy, recently returning to the area after years in California.

The class heard about his childhood, school issues, traveling with his disability, health related issues, positive and negative teacher issues, developing peer relationships, his career in California, and daily challenges which he has dealt with.

Byers told the Icon that Peter left the class laughing, crying and overall feeling a little more accepting of those with differences.

One student said, "Peter made me think about the fact that we are more alike than we are different."

Byers said that one goal of the evening was for students to imagine Peter in their classroom, and as future teachers what would you do to foster success for Peter academically, socially, and emotionally.

Following the sharing time, Byers said: "Mission accomplished.....Peter did in one evening what no textbook could ever do."