Day Four: Physical Disabilities and Therapies

Today we had a wonderful visit with a physical therapist.  She has visited my classroom for a number of years now.  She is a wonderful partner in teaching kids about disabilities and how to be a great friend.  Unfortunately, I was called out for a family medical problem and couldn't be there but I knew the kids would have a great day learning all about physical therapy.

When I returned the next day the kids were so excited to share about the equipment they had seen:  wheelchairs, "crunches" (crutches), and therapy balls.  They were even able to try them!  They were also excited about the videos they watched of people in wheelchairs playing fast and exciting basketball.  My kids are becoming amazed by all of the things people with disabilities can do rather than focusing on things they cannot do.

Thank you for partnering with me, Melissa.  The kids had a great time with you!

Day Three: How To Be A Friend

Today one of my little girls came into the classroom in her twirly pink Easter dress with a smile on her face and a tiara on her head.  She proudly handed me a baggie with three one dollar bills and one 100 dollar bill.  She told me she had raised the money for the wheelchair by singing one of her favorite songs to some of her friends.  I love it when kids use their talents to make a difference in our world!  It took us a while to write her name on 100 butterflies and get them hung up but we had a great time doing it!  The kids were so excited when they walked out into the hall and saw the ribbon of butterflies in the hallway.

We read a couple of books about children with physical disabilities and then we discussed how to be a friend to someone with a physical disability.  I love demonstrating the crazy things we do when we encounter someone in a wheelchair.  The kids quickly caught on as I exaggerated a variety of situations.  They were great at picking out what behaviors were polite and which ones weren't.  I only wish I could be a fly on the wall as the kids act out polite behavior for their parents at the dinner table tonight.

We closed our time with one of the educational clips from the Joni and Friends website.  Here is the link to their "Kid's Corner."  http://www.joniandfriends.org/kids-corner/be-a-better-friend/

I highly recommend their videos, "Friendship Adventures," that teach children (and adults) about disabilities.  The clip we watched today was entitled, "It's Nice To Get Close."

Tomorrow we will have a physical therapist visit our classroom.  She will simulate what it is like to have a physical disability, as well as show them some therapy treatments.  I appreciate all of the people that partner with me to teach kids about kids!

Day Two: Can You Catch A Disability?

     I feel like we are on an amazing vacation in my classroom!  The kids are so excited and they cannot wait for the next adventure.  This morning we talked about some of the crazy things we believe about people with disabilities.  I asked the class if you can catch a disability from someone.  They looked at each other and said, "I don't know.  What do you mean?'  

     I said, "Well, if your little brother has a cold and he sneezed on you, you might catch his cold.  Could you catch a disability?"

     One of the kids said, "No, they don't sneeze!"

     I responded by saying, "Well, yes they do sneeze if they have a cold or allergies, just like you do."

    To top off the discussion, one of the kids said, "Well, yesterday I sat next to 'Michael' all day (he has a broken arm) and my arm is doing just fine."  Do you see why I love five year-olds!!

     Later I read a story from the Bible about Mephibosheth, the grandson of King Saul and the son of Prince Jonathan.  He was injured at a young age and was unable to run or walk again.  He was heir to the throne but people didn't know how to respond to his disability and marginalized him and treated him as an outcast.

     Later when David became the King, he extended kindness and compassion to Mephibosheth and welcomed him in the palace and had him eat at the king's table.  This changed everything!  Since Mephibosheth was accepted by the king, others began to accept him too.

     I told the children they have the power to change the world by how they treat people.  If there is a little boy or girl in their class that has a disability they can change everything for them by being the one to accept them and befriend them.  Others will follow the example set for them.

     I have to say, I am already proud of my students!  One of my kids fell and severely broke his arm last week.  They have all been so kind to him, each taking turns to protect him, help him and play with him.  The butterfly effect is already happening :)

Day One: You Can Change The World

Day one was fabulous!!  My students and I started a unit on "How To Be A Friend to Someone With  a Disability" today.  I decorated the classroom with butterflies and explained the butterfly effect by lining up all of the kids and having them put their hands on the shoulders of the student in front of them.  I nudged the last student in line and watched student after student in front of her move forward.  Then I explained the theory behind the butterfly effect.  As a butterfly flaps its wings it moves molecules of air that in turn move more molecules of air until the effect of the butterfly's wings can be felt across the world.  Similarly, as the children earn a dollar it will cause another child to earn a dollar and then people watching will also contribute a dollar until the effect causes hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars to be raised to purchase and refurbish wheelchairs that can be distributed around the world.  As Andy Andrews shares in his book, The Boy Who Changed the World, each of us can change the world!

This morning we all shared about skills we are good at.  I loved their answers.  Some of them included Math, art, learning about sharks, soccer, dribbling a basketball, taking care of babies, loving our parents, and coloring in the lines.  They were so excited to talk about the things that come easily to them.

Then we talked about skills that are challenging or difficult.  Their answers included sharing with their brother or sister, gymnastics, football, ice skating, climbing trees, being patient and one of my favorites, flushing the toilet (he said he can never remember to flush!).  We talked about how some of our challenges can get easier with practice and some of them will always be difficult.  We talked about the skills that would be difficult if we were paralyzed.  Then I shared with them that God can show his power through our weaknesses.  I told them they will meet some amazing people over the next couple of weeks that God has shown His power through.

I then introduced them to one of my personal heroes, Joni Eareckson Tada.  Their jaws dropped when they learned that she is paralyzed but she can sing beautifully, has written 67 books and is an incredibly talented artist.  In fact, they tried painting with a paintbrush in their mouths the way Joni does!  When I showed them some of her paintings they were amazed!

I was able to share a photograph of one of my students and the governor of Texas, Greg Abbott.  He is in a wheelchair but he has a very important job!

As our day came to a close we had the added bonus on one of my dear friends and a staff member at our school, come and share about her late husband's struggle with ALS.  She shared that one of the most hurtful things that happened was people stopped talking to her husband when she pushed them in a wheelchair and they only talked to her.  She reminded them to always talk to the person in the wheelchair.  She also shared about some amazing technology that allowed her husband to communicate by blinking his eyes.  Blinking his eyes would act as a computer mouse allowing him to type e-mails.

I can hardly wait for the adventures and lessons ahead for us.  I hope you will join us as we learn about a variety of disabilities and the powerful people impacted by them!

It's Butterfly Time!

I can't believe it is almost time for my favorite time of year!  My students will be learning about "How To Be A Friend To Someone With A Disability" soon.  Last week I had my parent meeting to share with the parents what the kids will be learning over the next month.  I am so grateful for the supportive parents I have.

The kids are already dreaming big about what they will do to raise money for Joni and Friends, "Wheels For the World" project.  The kids are excited about making a difference in other children's lives by raising money to purchase wheelchairs.  Five year-olds have such giving hearts!

I hope you will join us again on our journey.  As always it will be incredible because kids understand how to love and sacrifice.  Stay tuned...great things will be happening!

Deana

Kindred Spirits

Today has been a day of interesting conversations.  Don't get me wrong I love talking to my incredibly supportive husband but men just don't know how to pour their hearts out like women do.  We can tell our life story, laugh, cry and joke around all in the span of an hour!

Today I had lengthy conversations with women in their 40's, 50's and 70's.  All of them are experiencing their own kind of pain and all of them are trying to figure out their place in this life, what God's plans for them are, what their next step is and sometimes, how to even take a step.  In the midst of these conversations there are two things I realized.  First of all, we will continue to have crossroads in our lives.  We won't just be trying to find ourselves in our 20's.  It will happen at different stages of our lives, throughout our lives.  Secondly, we need kindred spirits.

In the crossroads, for me at least, I like to think I am in control of when they will happen and the choices I will have.  All you have to do is talk to a few people that have lost a spouse and you will know that is not true.  We may have our life very planned out and suddenly our road comes to an abrupt stop and we have to make a choice on which way we will go.  

No matter what our struggle is, we all need kindred spirits.  Someone that can step into our journey and offer support and even more importantly, understanding.  Many times God has reminded me of a friend that has been in a similar situation and I have reached out to them for advice but often times he sends me a complete stranger.  Sometimes that person can be much younger and sometimes much older than ourselves, but the beautiful part is that God placed them there for us.  

Do you need a kindred spirit today?  Do you need someone that can identify with your struggles and be understanding?  Look closely today.  You never know who God has prepared for you.

Issues of Aging: Alzheimers/Dementia'

A few evenings ago I went to see the movie, "Still Alice," based on the book Still Alice by Lisa Genova.  I read the book about a year ago because I have a loved one struggling with dementia.  I loved the book!

It has been one my "to do list" to see the movie since it came out but I was hesitant to because I knew aspects of seeing the movie would be really difficult.  They were.  The movie powerfully depicts the struggles of Alzheimer...the struggles of the patient, the family and even society.  It is heartbreaking for everyone involved.

I found the way Alice responded to her diagnosis intriguing.  She educated herself on what was happening, prepared herself for what was ahead and lived her life as fully as she could at each interval of her progression.

As a family we have walked through the struggle of dementia with my sweet mother-in-law.  We have followed the example of her neurologist and have stayed very upbeat and positive and rarely talked to her about the issues that were ahead.  We just took them as they came.  I wonder if discussing the upcoming changes would have been better.

As my husband and I have lost both of our fathers and have helped with the issues of aging, I wish open dialogue had been more comfortable and easier to approach.  As I see that season of life getting closer for me, I plan to be very open with my children as the years pass and I hope they will be open with me.

I highly recommend the movie if you are caring for a loved one with dementia or Alzheimer.  Do take some tissues with you as it is pretty heartbreaking.  At the same time, it is insightful.  If you have a loved one struggling with Alzheimer or dementia, think through the approach you want to take with the disease.  I think it is important to always stay positive.  The issue to resolve, however, is do you face it openly and honestly and plan for the changes ahead or do you stay as positive as you can, make adaptations when needed and take each stage as it comes?  There are positives and negatives to both approaches.

As with any disease, it is important we approach our loved ones with respect and as caregivers, we make the best decisions we can at the time, we forgive ourselves for the guilt we often feel and make the best out of every opportunity.