Day Seven: Accommodating Hearing Loss

I love sharing about Jesus and the company he kept with my students.  He loved people like you and me and spent much of his time with people that had a disability.  We read a story about Jesus healing a boy that was deaf and how excited he and his friends were when he heard for the first time.

We talked about resources available to those impaired by hearing loss such as TTY's, Relay, texting, flashing lights, lip reading, speech therapy, and sign language.  The kids are growing up in an age where there are so many resources available and some of those resources all of us are using.

We also talked about our grandparents and how we can be supportive if they are experiencing hearing loss.  The kids even came up with some ideas on their own to aid in communication.

Day Six: The Deaf/Hearing Impaired

My classroom learned about another type of disability today.  We all envisioned what it would be like to be deaf or hearing impaired.  I went around the circle and asked them what sounds they would miss if they could no longer hear.  Most of them said they would miss the sounds of their friends voices and one of them sweetly said, "I would miss hearing my dad say, 'You are the best boy in the whole world!"

We did a variety of exercises to simulate hearing impairment and what it would be like.  I asked them if they would like to hear a person who is deaf speak.  I really think they thought they would sound the same.  I shared a YouTube video with the kids.  When the young lady started speaking a few of them started to laugh.  I just let them listen to her message for a little bit.  Then I asked them, "Can you imagine how difficult it would be to learn how to talk when you have never heard speech before?"  Their faces became concerned as they realized how difficult that would be.  

I told them they would probably hear a deaf person speak at some point in their life, or a person with another disability that might impair their speech.  We talked about how we should never make fun of each other for things that are challenging for us.  We should only encourage one another.

Our guest speaker came early this week since he had to work around his patients.  I have to say I am a little partial to this guest speaker, he is my husband.  Bill is the Director of Audiology for an ENT office.  He shared a clip from You Tube about how the ear works.  He went through the anatomy and function of each part of the ear.  The kids were amazed when he told them that the bones in their parents ears are the same size as the bones in their ears.  Bill talked about the function of ear wax, how to protect their hearing and showed them some hearing aides.

The kids loved learning about the ear but they became fascinated by Bill's impairment...he had a serious hand injury.  All of the boys especially wanted to know about the table saw accident.  Bill shared about the things he was no longer able to do and also shared about how he has learned to do a lot of things differently.  Bill wears a golf glove most of the time because it provides grip and stability for his hand.  He also wears it because your brain cannot interpret pressure and pain at the same time very well so wearing the glove makes his brain think about pressure, rather than pain.  Since he no longer has a pinkie he asked the kids who would like to pinkie swear and they all laughed.

As I thanked Bill before he left the girls all started chanting, "Kiss him!  Kiss him!"  Five year-olds are always full of surprises!

Day Five: Powerful People Who Happen To Have A Physical Disability

I love it when I have the opportunity to introduce children to amazing people.  They won't even have the opportunity to limit someone's potential if they understand the possibilities at such an early age!

Today I told the children to lie down on the floor and just listen to some beautiful music.  It was so calming and worshipful.  As the song was coming to a close I picked up my ukulele and started to gently strum it.  I told the kids it was a ukulele and the person I wanted to introduce them to plays the guitar but they are similar in how they are played.

As I was strumming, I asked the kids, "Now, how would you play an instrument like this if you don't have any hands or arms?"  They, of course, instantly knew the answer because I had shared a story of a young man that could type without any arms.  They all yelled in unison, "With your toes!".  I then put the ukulele on the floor and showed them how difficult it would be.

I asked the kids, "Do you want to meet my friend that can play with his toes?"  They were all excited to meet Tony Melendez.  I encourage you to watch him on youtube:  Tony Meléndez (Part 01) - You Are My God.  All of their five year-old jaws dropped.  It was priceless!

Next they were introduced to Nicholas James Vujicic No arms No legs No worries! wmv YouTube.  He is another one of my heroes.  It is amazing to watch their faces change as they change from uncomfortable to thinking Nick is funny to loving him in the span of just a few minutes.  We talked about all of the things Nick is able to do because he uses his disability as a platform to share his love for God.  We concluded our time with hugs all around, Nick style of course!

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!