National Des Jeunes Sourds-Muets: Plot Summary

In the late 1700s, Laurent Clerc, was born deaf, whom experienced inconceivable treatment by the standards of today. Clerc got medical treatment as a child, in hope for healing at an era of little knowledge which involved at times which involved painful experimentation with his ears. Also, Society in those days discriminated all Deaf by the banning any forms of education. The deaf were considered dumb, and of no important use to the world. But in pursuit of happiness for her son, his mother finally found a school in France by the name of “The Institut National des Jeunes Sourds-Muets”, the first public school provided to the world for the Deaf. Here, Clerc found a priest, Abbe De L’Epee, Roch-Amboige Bebian, a supervisor, a longstanding friend/teacher, Jean Massieu, and …show more content…
Gallaudet invited Clerc to assistant in his dream, and he graciously accepted the new challenge. Clerc said his farewells to his family and friends, and headed to America immediately. Once in the States, Gallaudet’s rallied his close constituents about the idea, and money quickly poured in. The popularity and support finally reached the surrounding cities, and the Connecticut General Assembly therefore led to a vote that provided the necessary financing of $5000 that allowed the doors to open on August 22, 1816 to the “American School of the Deaf” with Alice being the first to enroll. Clerc was the head teacher, and Gallaudet the principal. The uneducated students filled the rooms varying from 15 to 51 years in age to full capacity. Barely keeping up the demand for space, awareness of the new founded school had to be top priority. Several public appearances were made by the two forces. This is where President Monroe became a huge fan and friend of Clerc. This friendship than lead to Clerc becoming the first deaf to addressing the Connecticut Legislature. A bill was granted giving 23,000 acres of land for a larger school that prestigiously, still, stands today