高中英语第二册课本朗读17-a

　　   DISABLED? NOT ME!
“I know people are trying help, but I wish they wouldn’t treat me as if I were a child.” Zhong Xiaowen is sixteen and a middle school student in Northern China. She is one of the best students in her class and she won an award for young scientists last year, Sitting in the classroom, Xiaowen looks just like all her classmates. But when class is over and her classmates get up to move around, it becomes obvious that Xiaowen’s life is different, Xiaowen was born without the ability to use her legs and she has no feeling below the waist. She uses a wheelchair to get around and it often takes her a little longer to do everyday things, such as getting out of bed, getting out bed, getting dressed and going to class.
Xiaowen’s favourite subject is computer science. She has already created many programmes and one of them received an award at her province’s science fair. People like Xiaowen and many other disabled people in country have taught us the importance of giving everybody a chance to receive education. We know that we cannot let physical disabilities limit a person’s life. Today there are more opportunities for disabled people to develop to develop their potential, live a rich life and make a contribution to society.
The best way to help is often simply a matter of opening doors and offering guidance. The Beijing Union University has launched¹ a special education college where gifted disabled students receive the help they need to succeed. One-third of the students are blind and the rest are deaf or have no disability. For the students without disabilites, studying together with their disabled classmates is both challenging and rewarding. They not only learn how to assist² disabled people, but also learn the importance of cooperating³ to reach their goals in life. One of the teachers at the special education college says that their aim is to help disabled students understand that they can play a valuable role within society. “ They need recognition⁴, more than sympathy and help.”
Like all of us, disabled people also need inspiration⁵ and encouragement. The magazine Literature of Chinese Blind Children was started by Xu Bailun in 1985, when he decided⁶ that there should be a magazine for blind people in China. Blind children all over China read the magazine and it has inspired many of them to believe that they can realize their dreams. The articles in the magazine are often about disabled people who have overcome difficulties and learn to live a meaningful and productive⁷ life.
About one-third of the articles in Literature of Chinese Blind Children are written by disabled authors and blind children. One of the magazine’s best-known readers is Ye Zijie, who is now a teacher in Huhhot. In the year 2000, he was invited to study in London and became the first visually impaired⁸ Chinese to study abroad. Zijie says he was inspired and motivated by the magazine: “It is very important for us to know that someone far away is also struggling as we are.”
Living with disability is frustrating⁹ and challenging. Everyday activities are more difficult than they are for others. It is also often disappointing to find that other people do not feel comfortable together with someone who is disabled. Perhaps we should all listen to live with my body as it is and adjusted my way of life. Maybe it is time for the rest of society to accept me as I am and get used to the fact that while I may not be able to walk, there are many other great things I can do.”

1 launched   

v.发射( launch的过去式和过去分词 )；[计算机]开始（应用程序）；发动；开展（活动、计划等）

参考例句：

• He launched a bitter diatribe against the younger generation. 他对年轻一代发起了猛烈的抨击。
• The product was launched amid much fanfare worldwide. 这个产品在世界各地隆重推出。

2 assist   

vt.协助，帮助，促进；vi.帮忙，参加

参考例句：

• He asked us to assist him in carrying through their plan.他要我们帮助他实施他们的计划。
• We'll assist at your wedding.我们将出席你们的婚礼。

3 cooperating   

共同运转的，协同操作的

参考例句：

• We have abundant experience in cooperating with a lot of companies. 我们拥有与大量公司合作的丰富经验。
• The interview will generally center round managing and cooperating skills. 访谈将围绕管理和合作技巧展开。

4 recognition   

n.承认，认可，认出，认识

参考例句：

• The place has changed beyond recognition.这地方变得认不出来了。
• A sudden smile of recognition flashed across his face.他脸上掠过一丝笑意，表示认识对方。

5 inspiration   

n.灵感，鼓励者，吸气

参考例句：

• These events provided the inspiration for his first novel.这些事件给了他创作第一部小说的灵感。
• What an inspiration she was to all around her!她对于她周围所有的人是一种多么大的鼓舞！

6 decided   

adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的

参考例句：

• This gave them a decided advantage over their opponents.这使他们比对手具有明显的优势。
• There is a decided difference between British and Chinese way of greeting.英国人和中国人打招呼的方式有很明显的区别。

7 productive   

adj.能生产的，有生产价值的，多产的

参考例句：

• We had a productive meeting that solved some problems.我们开了一个富有成效的会议，解决了一些问题。
• Science and technology are part of the productive forces.科学技术是生产力。

8 impaired   

adj.受损的；出毛病的；有（身体或智力）缺陷的v.损害，削弱( impair的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• Much reading has impaired his vision. 大量读书损害了他的视力。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• His hearing is somewhat impaired. 他的听觉已受到一定程度的损害。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》

9 frustrating   

adj.产生挫折的，使人沮丧的，令人泄气的v.使不成功( frustrate的现在分词 )；挫败；使受挫折；令人沮丧

参考例句：

• It's frustrating to have to wait so long. 要等这么长时间，真令人懊恼。
• It was a demeaning and ultimately frustrating experience. 那是一次有失颜面并且令人沮丧至极的经历。 来自《简明英汉词典》