Question

1. When Michael Oher arrived at Briarcrest Christian, he had very little in the way of education. What in his life failed him the most? His mother? The educational system?

Social services? Himself? What was the biggest obstacle to his success? What could have he done differently in his childhood -- if anything -- to avoid the educational and social void in which he found himself?

2. Before coming to Briarcrest, Michael Oher had no traditional support network, yet a number of people did help him out -- by letting him sleep on their floors, bringing him to

Briarcrest Christian, allowing him to enroll in the school, etc. Why did they help him?

3. Leigh Anne Tuohy took Michael Oher in and embraced him as her son, despite his different background and race. Given similar circumstances, would you do the same?

4. Leigh Anne takes in a boy who is homeless and helps him to be a success. In doing so she has to face criticism from her friends. Why do you think her friends were so quick to criticize? How would you have handled that situation? Do you think it is important to help those that are less well-off then you? Why?

5. Teachers at Briarcrest discovered that Michael Oher was not “stupid”, but rather had trouble learning in a classroom. What does that mean?   Are there any things that you find difficult learning in a “standard” environment?

6. What do you think of the fact that Michael Oher was allowed to take tests orally rather than written ones? Should schools make exceptions for students who have unique issues? Briarcrest Christian is a private school -- would a public school have the resources to operate as Briarcrest Christian did in Michael Oher’s situation?

7. Michael Oher’s success story was made possible, in part, because he had a talent for playing football. What if his talent had been for playing piano, or cooking, or building

furniture? Would he still have been able to rise out of poverty? Why or why not? Do disadvantaged kids who are good at sports have more opportunities than kids who

don’t, and if yes, is that fair -- or just fortuitous?

8. The Tuohys were criticized by people who thought that they must have been using Michael Oher for some purpose. Do you think they were? What was their motivation?

9. Michael Oher was adopted by a rich family and suddenly touted as one of the top football prospects in the country. Yet by all accounts, he remained grounded. What was most responsible for keeping him that way?

Answer 1

1. When Michael Oher arrived at Briarcrest Christian, .........void in which he found himself?

His mother was a drug addict and was unable to take care of him. Had his mother taken care of herself or had she got support and been a caring mother instead of an indifferent one, things might have worked out differently for Michel.

2. Before coming to Briarcrest, Michael Oher had no traditional support network,..... Why did they help him?

They helped him out of a sense of altruism. He showed promise as an athlete, this could be a reason too.

3. Leigh Anne Tuohy took Michael Oher in and embraced him as her son,....... you do the same?

Am not sure I'll do the same. Different race may not be the reason as different background is. Even if her were not a person of different color, different background alone might have made me feel inhibited.

4. Leigh Anne takes in a boy who is homeless ....... less well-off then you? Why?

What Leigh Anee did was something very unusual. Her friends criticized, probably because she had children her own and questioned the wisdom of her actions. Or it is quite likely that they werre prejudiced and could not accept the fact that she was supporting someone of colour.

But yes, I do think that it is important to support those less fortunate. It is important do so because they need such support. Also because sharing is what makes me happy. By sharing my fortunes I will add meaning to another life. This alone is the best reason to help someone less well off than oneself.

5. Teachers at Briarcrest discovered that Michael Oher was not “stupid”...... difficult learning in a “standard” environment?

It is quite likely that Michael wasn't very well adjusted socially.Another possibility is that his basic education isn't very strong and sthat impacted the basic learning skills such as reading writing and listening. A standard environment finds it difficult to accomodate differential teaching. Quite often students seek support outside of the school system whenever they need to understand concepts better.

6. What do you think of the fact that Michael Oher was allowed to take tests orally.....resources to operate as Briarcrest Christian did in Michael Oher’s situation?

Michel Oher did have an issue with the very basic skills of reading and writing, not so much with comprehension. this might have been the reason the school allowed him to take tests orally. Public schools may not have the will to do it even if they have the resources. It takes an inspired school leadership to accomodate students with unique needs, a public school system seldom has the inclination to do it.

7. Michael Oher’s success story...playing football.... talent had been for playing piano, or cooking.... rise out of poverty? Why or why not? ....good at sports have more opportunities than kids who... fair -- or just fortuitous?

Had his unique talent been spotted, it is quite likely that Oher would have been a success story. The Touhys role in his success cannot be stressed enough. They offered him rock solid support and that was the main reason for his success. There must be an equal number of talented kids who were not encouraged or supported the way Michel was.Sporting ability is more obvious than other talents. Sports does convert into opportunities. It may not be fair but yes in case of Michel, it is fortuitous.

8. The Tuohys were criticized............. What was their motivation?

There was no vested interest when the Tuohys picked Michel. The allegations that they using Michel was unfounded and wrong. Their motivation was to support a kid who was less fortunate, nothing more, nothing less.

9. Michael Oher was adopted... touted ...top football prospects........ grounded... responsible for keeping him that way?

Mrs Tuohy had a big role to play in keeping Michel grounded. Not by force but by love. She defends him yet keeps him in check when there is a need to do so. No, she is not patronising either. This style of hers helps him stay grounded in later years.