Dr András Pető created the conductive education system, a system which produced remarkable results and which was a head of its time in both its theoretical base and its practice. He surpassed theorists because as a practicing teacher he verified his theory in practice.
András Pető was a doctor, an exceptional teacher, psychiatrist, scientist, polymaths and writer. Allegedly he could play the piano like a concert pianist.
He had a carefully selected library with a wide ranging medical literature along with books on oriental philosophy, healing, ancient teachings and on history of philosophy amongst many other books. He spoke several languages and he wrote and published his work mainly in German.
Pető knew a lot about the world and life, about the body, the spirit and the soul, about arts and sciences about the earth and the sky, about people, he experienced a lot and unlocked many secrets.
He devoted his life to ‘heal’ people with motor disabilities utilisingsing his great knowledge and rich experience as a doctor and his research throughout his studies, his work and his life.
“András Pető had an indomitable will to heal and this end would be achieved by no matter how hard everyone involved should have to work to achieve this.
The moral force of this will was transmitted down through his institute and everyone working there- those who taught and those who learned. It permeated every aspect of life there, the ethos, the atmosphere in which children were brought up (and of course for his numerous adult patients too). The pedagogic task was to transform this will from teachers to learners and along with this to transfer the teachers’ respect for the pupils’ sure ability to find their own path to success. And with the motivation and rewards from hard- won independent success, András Pető’s will became the will of everyone there.
Such pedagogy demands total focus of every possible factor relevant to learning and development, bringing everything together to be coordinated in pupils’ own particular, personally integrated ways. This was certainly a pedagogy rather than a therapy or a treatment, but what to call it? 60 years ago, for a Central European medical man with a classical education this was a pedagogy that is ‘conductive’.
And the pedagogues who implemented this were to become ‘conductors’. ”
Pető Studies, Conductive Education Press Birmingham, England 2012- page 229/230
Zoltán Vitó — an early participant in Conductive Education under Dr András Pető’s guidance, in his own words
"I was a student there for seven years. They brought me in unable even to stand on my own, and at the age of 15 I came home on my own two feet, getting on a tram by myself.
Throughout all the struggles I have had in my life, the main guiding principle was always what he proclaimed: that nothing is impossible.
For example, clasping my hands together is something that, for an able-bodied person, is natural. Or rather, I don’t even like the word “able-bodied”; it is irrelevant—something natural for a non-disabled person. For us, it was not natural, because we had to practise it for months before we could do it properly. As a child, it was difficult, but as an adult, I feel it was worth it because I gained a great deal—both in how I see and relate to the world and in my physical abilities.
In terms of perspective, what I gained was that I should never, ever give up anything—that I should not recognise the idea of impossibility. There is no such thing. Nothing is impossible."
Zoltán Vitó later became a poet, and his poems offer a clear picture of what he learned while growing up under the guidance of Dr András Pető, reflecting his experience at the Pető Institute.
UTRAVALÓ (For Your Journey)
If you are truer and greater,
you cannot be satisfied with the average:
you must also take on the “extra” —
and so you will be happy too!
Indifference will not let you rest;
and the peaks are calling you —
so set out bravely!
Steal a little light from the sky,
let this be your highest knowledge: —
that the softness of your hands,
the warmth of your spoken words,
you will always see faithfully
reflected back to you
from your companion’s gaze.
UTRAVALÓ
Ha különb és igazabb vagy,
átlaggal be nem éred:
'pluszt' is vállalni kell -
s úgy boldog is leszel!
Közöny nyugodni nem hagy;
és Csúcsok hívnak Téged, -
indulj hát bátran el!
Lopj egy kis fényt az égről,
legyen legfőbb tudásod: -
kezednek bársonyát,
ajkad meleg szavát
Társad tekintetéből
majd mindig híven látod
visszatükrözni - Rád!
Whoever offered the wine of movement
The beautiful intoxication of motion
And whoever has been taught to walk
That person will always know
How incredible it may be
That everything is possible anywhere
People can overcome any monster
If they have the will, heart and the intelligence
The magic consciousness always helps