The Butterfly Effect - Day 5

     Our guest speaker today was Melissa, a physical therapist.  She started off by having us stand up and then sit down on the floor.  She asked the children if that was easy and they said yes.  She then asked them to hold one foot and stand up and then sit down.  This was a little more challenging.  She then explained that physical therapists help their patients learn how to move better.  Sometimes she has to teach someone how to move in a whole new way.  Holding their foot while they tried to sit down or stand up gave them a glimpse of how difficult it could be.

     Melissa brought in all kinds of equipment for us to try and use.  She brought in crutches, forearm crutches and a walker.  She also taught the children a few things about how to use a wheelchair.  All of the children enjoyed using the equipment and talked about what it would be like doing different tasks with each piece of equipment.

     "The Butterfly Effect" is starting to take place in the classroom.  We have had a couple of children bring in money for the wheelchair which has in turn made more children excited about their projects.  We are now up to $23 towards a wheelchair for a child.  It is exciting to watch the number of butterflies start to grow.  I have a feeling we will see a lot of growth after the kids come back from Spring Break.  I made my first purchase from one of the children.  I love my new beautifully decorated notepad!

The Butterfly Effect - Day 4

     Today we talked about "Powerful People."  Not people that are powerful on their own, but because they have lifted up their challenges to God and let God show His power through them.

     We talked about the difference Joni Eareckson Tada is making in the world.  She cannot walk and has limited use of her arms, but she is an amazing artist, an excellent speaker, and has made a huge difference in people's lives all over the world.  What a wonderful testimony she is to God's power.

     We were blessed to listen to the beautiful music of Tony Melendez.  It didn't take the children long to realize that he plays the guitar with his feet since he doesn't have any arms.  We talked about all of the things he does with his feet, so in honor of Tony, we all took our shoes off and spent the morning barefoot!  Everyone enjoyed that!

     Lastly, we met Nick.  Nick is a young man that was born without arms or legs, but what a wonderful testimony he has of how God is using Him to reach the world.  The children loved hearing that he can swim even though he does not have any limbs.

     It was a very inspiring morning listening and learning from such powerful people. Join us tomorrow for our guest speaker!

Book List for Teaching "Typical" Children About Children With Special Needs

     If you are wanting to teach "typical" children about children with special needs, here are the books I am using and would recommend:

• Someone Special Just Like You by Tricia Brown
• Susan Laughs by Jeanne Willis
• You've God A Friend by Joni Eareckson Tada
• The Incredible Discovery of Lindsey Renee by Joni Eareckson Tada
• How Are We the Same and Different? by Bobbie Kalman
• Some Kids Use Wheelchairs by Lola M. Schaefer
• Some Kids Wear Leg Braces by Lola M. Schaefer
• My First Book of Sign Language 
• Signing At School
• Heller Keller by Emma Carlson Berne
• What's Wrong With Timmy? by Maria Shriver
• Do You Want A Friend? by Noel Piper
• Russell Is Extra Special by Charles Amenta

If you have some you recommend, I would love for you to add them in the comment section.

The Butterfly Effect - Day 3

     Today was priceless!!!  There is nothing better than when the kids share their heart with you.  I always feel tempted to say, "Hold that thought!"  I have started keeping a notepad by my chair so that I can write the wonderful things down that they share with me.

     We started the conversation this morning with "How to Be a Friend to Someone With a Physical Disability" from On a Roll For Jesus, the book "Joni and Friends" has published.  In the book she shares the following:

• Look past the wheelchair or whatever physical disability the person has.  It is okay to look at the individual.  They are more like you than you realize.
• When talking to someone in a wheelchair sit down in a chair or place yourself at their eye level.  Their neck can begin to hurt if they have to look up for a long time and they might not want to tell you that.
• Speak directly to the person in a wheelchair rather than through the person they are with.
• It is okay to offer your help to someone, but make sure you ask first if the help is needed.  For example, ask permission before you push a wheelchair.  You would not want someone to push you without asking you.
• You wouldn't lean on someone you don't know very well so it is not polite to lean or hang on someone's wheelchair.  The chair is an extension of their personal space.
• Treat a person with a disability the way you like to be treated.

I love all of the practical tips that Joni shares with us in her book!  The children and I had a great time as I gave examples of talking to their shoes, rather than them.  They laughed when I talked to the child pushing the wheelchair about the child in the wheelchair.  They laughed at how much I exaggerated it so they could understand but they also "got it."  I sure wish I had known these tips when I was young.

     Following the discussion, one of my students surprised me with how much he wanted to share about the brace that he has been wearing on his back for the last 6 weeks.  He shared about how uncomfortable it has been.  He then shared that he feels sorry for the kids that have to wear one all the time.  He said "I know that I will get mine off, but the others kids won't."  I thanked him for sharing his feelings and for being so brave and patient the last six weeks.

     Our next activity for the morning was to try painting with our teeth the way Joni does.  They did a great job painting with their hands behind their back.  Most of them enjoyed painting but shared how tiring it was.  They were proud of their pictures.  When I showed them some of Joni's paintings, ALL of their mouths dropped.  I so wish I had captured that moment in a picture.  They couldn't believe how incredible her paintings are.  I reminded them again that when we give our weaknesses to God, His power can be shown.

     During our Bible time,  I shared the story the story Joni suggested of Mephibosheth, grandson of King Saul and son of Prince Jonathan.  During a fight he was left unable to walk and had to have his legs bandaged.  Mephibosheth was to someday be king but the people said that he could not be a good king because he was disabled.  He was kicked out of the palace.

     Mephibosheth later married and had a family.  One day he received a message from King David who said to him "Don't be afraid.  I will be kind to you for your father Jonathan's sake.  I will give you back all the land of your grandfather Saul.  And you will always be able to eat at my table."  King David's kindness changed Mephibosheth's life forever because now, other people started to be kind to him.  Mephibosheth had a blessed life of land and servants and friends.

     We concluded our wonderful day with updates on our fundraising projects.  Here are some of the things that were said:

     "I have some customers.  I am going to get a check from a customer!"

     "I raised $2.  I picked up trash."

     "I made notepads and sold them."

     "We're going to sell lemonade with one nail and it is going to cost $100!"

     Join us tomorrow as we learn about amazing people and how their challenges have brought glory and honor to God!

The Butterfly Effect - Day 2

     After singing some oldies but goodies (Rise and Shine, Jesus Loves the Little Children, and Deep and Wide), we revisited out discussion on what the children thought we wouldn't be able to do if we couldn't walk.  When we talked about how to get around, I shared about vans with a lift and a couple of the children shared that they had seen one.  When we talked about being able to play at a playground, one of the children shared about a new playground that he had been to in Austin that is for children with special needs.  He was so excited as he shared about the ramps and other accommodations!  He had a great idea that we should visit the playground together over Spring Break!

      I loved putting situations before the children and asking what an accommodation could be just as my father did when I was a child.  I shared my dad's story with them about the young man that was denied an interview for a clerk typist position because he didn't have any hands.  They soon realized that the typewriter could be put on the floor and he could type with his toes.  It is exciting to see that their minds are so open already.  

     The children also shared an update on their projects for the wheelchair.  They have great ideas and are gradually discussing more detailed plans with their parents.  One student brought in the first $5 and she put 5 butterflies on the wall to represent each $1.  I cannot wait to see the entire wall covered with butterflies!

     Tomorrow will be a fun and interesting day as we simulate what it would be like to not have the use of our hands.  We will also learn about how to be a friend to someone with a physical disability.

     See you tomorrow!  I plan to have some pictures for you!

The Butterfly Effect - Day 1

     We started off Day 1 with singing, "It's a Beautiful Day!"  Then we had a nice visit with Joni Eareckson Tada, through DVD of course.  She shared her story with us and the day that her life took a traumatic turn.  She was a teenager and was at the lake and dove into shallow water.  She broke one of the vertebrae in her neck and has been paralyzed from the shoulders down ever since.  The recovery was challenging to say the least but her christian friends visited her and encouraged her to use the wheelchair and start enjoying life again.

     Joni shared about her "Wheels For the World" program and introduced us to some children, Jorge and Ai, that have been given a wheelchair through the program.  She showed us glimpses of Thailand and a variety of friends that use wheelchairs to get around.

    Joni shared with us from Luke 10:33,34 about the Good Samaritan and how we need to help those in need.  As Joni said, "Why should the good Samaritan have all of the fun?"  We can join in and help people too.  We can be Jesus' hands and feet in the world by serving others.

  We had a great time talking and sharing about friends that are unable to walk.  I asked the kids what they would not be able to do if their legs didn't work.  They said they would not be able to run, swim, walk, hopscotch, play, swing, do monkey bars, jump, go places, go to school, go to a friend's house, climb on a play scape, get up, and couldn't climb trees.  I can't wait until tomorrow when I tell and show them that they could do most of those activities!  We followed this discussion with a discussion on the things that we can do well and the things that we can't.  We all have strengths and challenges.

     At lunchtime the line leader enjoyed the first ride in the wheelchair.  Usually it takes my students several days before they are comfortable riding in the wheelchair but not this class,  the wall is already down and they are ready for a ride!

     We concluded the day by brainstorming and talking about how we are going to raise money for the wheelchair so that we can send it to Joni.  The kids all informed me that they are going to raise money for two wheelchairs this year!!  I love the ideas the kids came up with:  paint and sell rocks, give clothes away, lemonade stand, yard sale, paint pictures and sell them, make and sell cookies, make and sell birdseed cakes, sell purple lemonade,  pick up newspapers and trash cans for people, sell flowers, sell plants, sell raspberry lemonade and sell fabric creations.  What creative students I have!

     Just for fun, I asked them what I should do to raise money and those ideas were VERY creative!!  They said I could read books to children, pick up newspapers, make wigs, sell pictures, sell dry erase markers, bake cookies, help my mom do the lawn, sell snacks and give sick people a Popsicle.  Oh, how I love kids!!

     We hope you will join us again tomorrow!

specialneeds@thecastle.blog

     For a number of years now, seven I believe,  I have taken my class of 15 five year-olds on a month long journey.  I share with them about physical, hearing, vision, and intellectual/mental challenges.  When I was growing up society taught you not to stare at people with disabilities.  So I didn't stare, but it also meant that I didn't look at them either.  My hope is that through the experiences and lessons we will have, they will learn to see the person first and not the wheelchair.  They will learn that there are a multitude of ways to communicate, not just through our voices and that all of us have been created with a special plan and purpose.  We all have abilities and disabilities and my hope is that they will begin to understand God can use our weaknesses to show his strength.  I love the verses in 2 Corinthians 12:9-11, which read,  

"But He (the Lord) said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness,'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.  That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties.  For when I am weak, then I am strong."

It is amazing to see what can happen when we turn our weaknesses over to God to let Him show His strength.

     In addition to learning about a variety of challenges, we will also be talking about "The Butterfly Effect," written by Andy Andrews.  Just as a butterfly moves molecules of air by flapping its wings which then causes other molecules of air to move, the things that we do for change can cause a ripple effect for even more change.  Throughout the unit we will be raising money to send to "Joni & Friends" for their "Wheels for the World" program.  We will raise money to refurbish a wheelchair that will then be distributed somewhere around the world to someone that needs one.

     We would love for you to come on our journey with us for the next month.  We will start tomorrow, March 5.  The kids are already dreaming about what they will do to help raise money for the wheelchair.  I always love to watch the children that work the hardest because they will be the most changed.  We are dreaming big this year so follow our posts and see what happens...