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March 16, 2002
By Bill Carey
Berkshire Eagle Staff
The Tufts University Center for
Reading and Language Research in Medford yesterday dedicated
a conference room in memory of Quinn Michael Connally.
Maryanne Wolf, director of the center, said she was moved
by a news account of the Cheshire youth's death in December
2000 and the fact that he struggled with dyslexia. The 12-year-old
died after being struck by a hockey puck during practice at
the Springfield Civic Center.
The Tufts center is conducting research into dyslexia and
how it affects reading.
Wolf also is a professor at the university's Eliot-Pearson
Department of Child Development and the author of a forthcoming
book, "Plato's Rebellion: The Story and Science of Written
Language and its Disorders," to be published by HarperCollins,
according to Tufts.
"We were so struck by the fact that Quinn was like every
child we teach and tutor," Wolf said following the dedication
ceremony. "We wanted so much to give a little something
for the family to let them know they are not alone."
Besides Wolf, Tufts President Lawrence S. Bacow, Boston Bruins
right wing Bill Guerin and Quinn's mother, Ann Connally, spoke
at the dedication.
Tests
indicated dyslexia
Ann Connally said that
Quinn's reading and writing skills were found to be lacking
in the second grade and tests indicated that he had dyslexia,
a reading disorder.
"Quinn struggled daily with his learning disability,"
Ann Connally told about 40 people assembled for the dedication.
"At times he could cope, but at others he would throw
his hands up in the air and say, 'What's wrong with me, why
can't I read? I feel stupid.' The frustration level really
ran high starting in seventh grade, at homework time."
Following Quinn's death, Ann and Stephen Connally, who have
a second child, Tessa, established Quinn's Legacy Foundation
to build a community ice arena in his honor. The foundation
is raising funds for the estimated $9 million facility, which
will be built off Dan Fox Drive. (Call (413) 743-7558 for
information.)
Stephen Connally said there are plans to include a reading
room within the complex.
The Tufts Center for Reading and Language Research was established
in 1996 with grant support from the National Institute for
Child Health and Human Development. It underwent a renovation
that was completed in September.
The conference room serves as a central place where teacher
training and tutoring of children is conducted, Wolf said.
A plaque there now reads: "This room is dedicated to
the memory of Quinn Connally, who understood what it means
to learn in a different way. May his gentle spirit, courage
and desire to excel inspire all who use this room for teaching
and for learning."
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