It's been a long while, but it is time to reinvigorate the Lucy Rocks Blog in an effort to communicate with a community of friends and parents about these ideas I have rolling around my head. Ideas about Lucy, learning opportunities for her and other kids like her. Not to mention the masses of other kids who have lots and lots of good questions.
I'd like to begin by sharing a story that impacted me long ago, in the early part of Lucy's life with us:
Meeting Patty
I saw Patty at Visionaries and Voices (an arts org. supporting artists with disabilities) for the second time, two weeks in a row. She had been painting with a brush in her mouth the week prior. At that moment Patty appeared to be resting. She might have looked to a person who didn’t know any better, like she wasn’t paying attention, out to lunch. I wasn’t sure what kind of conversation I might have with Patty. Uncertain like you might be with someone who speaks a different language, but I decided to go and speak with her anyway. I went and said, “Hi, I saw you painting last week.” She immediately perked up and began moving her head side to side. As she did, the talking device on her chair began to speak out words in a slow cadence…”Hi..my name is …Patty… How ..are…you?” The most laborious and impressive form of texting. I immediately became engaged in trying to figure out how she is activating this device. And realize she is hitting a button on her chair – this, I recognize as a mouse click. But how is she moving the curser? Wow, a dot on her glasses speaks to the computer screen. I tell her my daughter is just learning how to use switches. This woman who I had subconsciously made assumptions about did something that still gives me chills. She typed/spoke, “Don’t let them tell you she can’t do anything.” She quickly assessed the situation, not needing me to connect the dots for her. In that one little sentence I realized Patty was speaking to me about the lofty, abstract concepts of empowerment and advocacy. What I can also expound from this encounter is that Patty knew that many people in Lucy’s life would see her for what she cannot do, or not believe hard enough that there are things she can do. As I embark upon the radical notion of creating a school where in even kids like Lucy are learners, I remain profoundly affected by the mind shift Patty offered me that day. Thank You Patty
I'd like to begin by sharing a story that impacted me long ago, in the early part of Lucy's life with us:
Meeting Patty
I saw Patty at Visionaries and Voices (an arts org. supporting artists with disabilities) for the second time, two weeks in a row. She had been painting with a brush in her mouth the week prior. At that moment Patty appeared to be resting. She might have looked to a person who didn’t know any better, like she wasn’t paying attention, out to lunch. I wasn’t sure what kind of conversation I might have with Patty. Uncertain like you might be with someone who speaks a different language, but I decided to go and speak with her anyway. I went and said, “Hi, I saw you painting last week.” She immediately perked up and began moving her head side to side. As she did, the talking device on her chair began to speak out words in a slow cadence…”Hi..my name is …Patty… How ..are…you?” The most laborious and impressive form of texting. I immediately became engaged in trying to figure out how she is activating this device. And realize she is hitting a button on her chair – this, I recognize as a mouse click. But how is she moving the curser? Wow, a dot on her glasses speaks to the computer screen. I tell her my daughter is just learning how to use switches. This woman who I had subconsciously made assumptions about did something that still gives me chills. She typed/spoke, “Don’t let them tell you she can’t do anything.” She quickly assessed the situation, not needing me to connect the dots for her. In that one little sentence I realized Patty was speaking to me about the lofty, abstract concepts of empowerment and advocacy. What I can also expound from this encounter is that Patty knew that many people in Lucy’s life would see her for what she cannot do, or not believe hard enough that there are things she can do. As I embark upon the radical notion of creating a school where in even kids like Lucy are learners, I remain profoundly affected by the mind shift Patty offered me that day. Thank You Patty
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