I read the article about Maria Teanby with interest (“Best of times, worst of times” TES , March 1). I would like to think that I was appointed to my first teaching post because I was the most suitable candidate and not because “I only had one leg and could talk”.

Although Ms Teanby no doubt meant this as a joke, it reinforces the view that disabled people equal last resort and useless. This attitude makes it harder for disabled people to get a job or be valued in society.

I am quite proud of what I have achieved during 25 years’ teaching. I hope that I have been a good teacher and also shown that disabled people can be just as successful as anyone else.

Ian Townsend
Salisbury,
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