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Name that Twice-Exceptional Learner ". . . failure to help the gifted child reach his potential is a societal tragedy, the extent of which is difficult to measure but what is surely great. How can we measure the sonata unwritten, the curative drug undiscovered, the absence of political insight? They are the difference between what we are and what we could be as a society." - James J. Gallagher Just as Mr. Gallagher so eloquently asserted, we all suffer the consequences when we do not correctly identify and then educate gifted students. This is perhaps most common with gifted students who also have disabilities. We must learn how to recognize, identify, and instruct these special learners so that their lives and ours can be better as a result. Luckily, there are many gifted individuals with disabilities that have been successful and affected society as a result. . . can you guess them? Let's play. . . Name that Twice-Exceptional Learner! (answers are at the bottom so you don't cheat)

1. As a young child, Frank struggled in school. He had difficulty keeping up with his classmates and teachers labeled him "slow." He started working in a grocery store to help his family and had a great idea to place 5-cent items near the checkout counter (a revolutionary idea at the time). Frank did not allow his "slow" label to prevent him from being successful in business. He opened his first store in Utica, NY in 1879. By 1911, he had more than 1,000 stores across the U.S. and the world. Who is Frank?

2. As a schoolboy, he had behavioral problems, was a horrible speller, and had difficulties expressing himself. His report cards came back with very poor grades. But, he was also brilliant in visual and spatial reasoning and problem-solving. His scientific achievements earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1921 for his discovery of the law of the photoelectric effect. Who is he?

3. His hearing deteriorated in his 20s until he became completely deaf. The hearing loss caused him severe difficulties in professional and social situations. He avoided conversation because of his disability. He is also considered the crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western music. This deaf man is considered one of the greatest composers of all time. Who is he?

4. This woman was a prolific author, traveled the world as a lecturer, and was outspoken in her opposition to war. She campaigned for women's suffrage, workers' rights and socialism. She founded an international organization in her name that is devoted to research in vision, health, and nutrition. She helped found the American Civil Liberties Union in 1920, and met every president from Grover Cleveland to Lyndon B. Johnson. She was also good friends with Charlie Chaplin and Mark Twain. She was the first person with her specific disability to earn a bachelor's degree. Who is she?

5. In school, this boy's mind often wandered, and he overheard his teacher call him "addled." As a result, he dropped out of school after only three months and was home-schooled by his mom. He also developed hearing problems at an early age dealt with deafness most of his life. He is the third-most prolific inventor of all time and founded 14 companies, one of which was General Electric. Among his inventions were a mechanical v <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 150%;">ote recorder and the motion picture camera. Who is he?

<span style="color: #2cb403; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 150%;">6. Born in Albany, Georgia, this young boy was completely blind by the age of 7 as a result of glaucoma. He went to a school for the deaf and blind in Florida, where he gained an interest in music. He has one of the most recognizable voices in American music and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Aware in 1987. Who is this musician?

<span style="color: #ffffff; font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif; font-size: 60%;">Answers: 1. Frank W. Woolworth 2. Albert Einstein 3. Beethoven 4. Helen Keller 5. Thomas Edison 6. Ray Charles <span style="font-family: 'Palatino Linotype','Book Antiqua',Palatino,serif;">Highlight the space to the left of this text to see the answers.