As part of our school's community service program,I volunteered at a family with a down syndrome child. For two years, I went to help the Jablons every Thursday right after school.I helped out with a variety of things including homework, bathing the little ones, and physical therapy with Nesanel. Sometimes it seemed as though I was on the giving end, however I was really the receiver. I have learned so much from Nesanel. From his precious smile, his determination, and his love for others. Nesanel loves friends. He doesn't discriminate between people from different backrounds or color. Nesanel is truly special. Working with him and his siblings has given me a new outlook on…
Loretta Claiborne discussed many obstacles that individuals with disabilities constantly deal with. One of the main obstacles that individuals with intellectual disabilities have to deal with is being told what they cannot do and what they won’t achieve. That being placed in institutions and facilities is what’s best and the only option for them. Claiborne states that in order to overcome the naysayers, individuals with intellectual disabilities must develop a fearless attitude and mentality. Trust and hope in the continued processes and developments made for individuals with disabilities, is what’s need to succeed. Loretta states that they must fight to overcome bullies and be thankful that are organizations like the Special Olympics and Project…
Within a few days of starting work with people with learning disabilities, it should be clear to you that everyone you work with is an individual, with their own particular likes, dislikes, strengths and personality. Services and support workers should always focus on the individuals they are working with, rather than the needs of a group of people. You and your colleagues should have the hopes, dreams, interests and needs of each person you support as a top priority in your daily work.…
Providing an environment of hope and caring is essential and needed by all children “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord: and the fruit of the womb is his reward” Psalms 127:3 (New King James Version). Our children our blessings from God, and He commands us to provide our children with love, spirituality, caring, and to nurture regardless of their abilities. Children with special needs require proactive parents, parents who continually strive to provide opportunities for their children. As professionals we must reach all parents and caregivers and provide them opportunities for education for not just their children, for the parents and caregivers as well. During this process it is imperative to have open lines of communication of teachers and professionals “The bond between parents and professionals (e.g., teachers, speech therapists, physical therapists) can be critical to the child’s development” (Hallahan, Kauffman, & Pullen, 2015, p. 75). Education, communication, and collaboration is essential, and through this collaboration our children and our children’s children can live successful productive…
When I was a National Honor Society Member at my High School, we were able to work with a program called VIP Soccer in which volunteers played with and taught special needs children the game of soccer. It was actually my favorite event within our organization especially when we got to see how happy each child was and the smiles on their parents’ faces when they saw that their son or daughter was having fun. Eventually, I was so inspired by this movement that I actually started a similar program but at my local golf club. How I got this started was actually by meeting the owner of the golf club, and the parents of my teammates on my school golf team. After a couple of months of planning and talking to more interested volunteers, I was finally…
Following the Civil War, Radical Republicans in Congress held tight control of the fragile nation, forcing policies past a Southern Democratic President and into law. These Reconstruction programs had a few goals in mind, and many, especially the more moderate, Republicans focused primarily on restoring the Union. Additionally, radicals attempted to grant full civil liberties to former slaves. In general, all pursuing Reconstruction wished to reiterate the unity of the United States, and most, especially from the North, wanted to grant partial civil rights to African Americans. However, in trying to reform the South, while the Northerners did succeed in passing much legislation, they did little to reform culture in the South. Consequently,…
My freshman year in high school, I decided to join Best Buddies. Best Buddies is a program where a high school student is paired with another student, who has an intellectual and developmental disability, in a one-to-one friendship. During my first year, I learned Best Buddies is not simply a club but a family. My second year of being a part of Best Buddies I began truly noticing a change in myself. Sophomore year I was paired with a girl one year younger than me named Carrie. She and I have become best friends and have now been buddies for the past three years. As I interacted with Carrie these past years, I began to realize disabilities do not hold people back, but that we hold ourselves back. Despite Carrie’s misfortune, she wears a smile…
There are certainly lots of challenges and struggles when taking care of children with special needs but there is something extremely rewarding as well. I am always reminded of the passage of scripture that says: "Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction... (James 1:27, ESV)". We are here to work and serve our Great God and Savior, Jesus Christ and one way we have done that is by taking care of children with special needs. It has been a privilege and a joy, even in the midst of trials and heartache.…
People with special needs and disabilities are just like us. They have goals, dreams, and wishes. It’s not like they chose to be handicapped, no-one does. All we can do is be there for them, supporting and encouraging them. A way that has proven beneficial is equine therapy or horse therapy. Horses are therapeutic for people with special needs because riding can strengthen their muscles; give them a sense of accomplishment or independence and lets them have higher self-confidence and self-esteem levels.…
I currently volunteer as a Befriender for a group that helps adults with learning disabilities become included within the community through socialization, by matching Befriendees with supportive Befrienders. I, as a volunteer for this organization, provide their service participants with the opportunity to take a full and satisfying part in their community. I also help to raise awareness of issues affecting adults with learning difficulties in community participation.…
When I was released from the hospital, I endured severe migraines, amnesia, and depression for several months. I needed a treatment that would make me feel better, so I decided that teaching other people how to overcome tragedy would be the best medicine. Proudly, I spend my time mentoring children who struggle with the same challenge that I have learned to overcome: realizing that a disability is not a limitation. I coach a running team that provides sports programming for special needs children, and I serve as the founder of a club that works with a preschool that enriches the lives of autistic…
III. Founded in 1968, Special Olympics encouraged the world to understand that people with disabilities can be respected, valued, contributing members of society.…
I worked directly with families and together we figured out goals for their child in the community and personally. I worked with many families and some were more motivated then others to help their child succeed. One family in particular had no motivation. They wanted so much from their son but would often find ways to avoid our plans to help their son succeed and the hours that were given to us by the state for me to work with him would flip flop every year. I was devastated but I refused to give up on him. I worked with him as often as I could so that I could see him succeed and one day we had a break through! Reflecting on these work experiences made me believe in Beatrice Wright’s principle that “every individual needs respect and encouragement; the presence of a disability, no matter how severe, does not alter these fundamental…
In these settings, I was able to be a companion and caretaker for children who had communication needs. I was able to work with individual children very closely during my experiences with the Spectrum Project. My buddy, who had Autism, required extra reassurance and patience. In addition, I…
The first article I have found is titled “Seoul Worries About North Korea: Countdown to Olympics Brings Terrorism Jitters” by Karl Schoenberger and Sam Jameson. The second article is titled “Johnson to Go back into starting blocks: Banned Sprinter to begin the testimony that will determine his future in track by Randy Harvey”. The first article is about Seoul’s plans to implement tighter security. This is considered to be one of the biggest in Olympic history due to the previous terrorist attacks. For example, the Han River is being cleaned up for the Olympics and a plethora of restaurants that sell dog meat are being eliminated. Despite all the undergoing construction to make Seoul more attractive, the city is worried about its hostile neighbor: North Korea. Furthermore, the U.S military including the Marines and Airforce have moved to South Korea. This is primarily to mitigate Korea’s citizens’ worries against the potential terrorist alerts in the Olympics. Warships from Pyongyang will be patrolled in the waters off the Korean peninsula during the games. This tightening of security commenced last November when an agent working for North Korea destroyed a Korean air jet. This event was the precursor for the upgrade in security as South Korea had been exposed to the daunting idea of terrorist attacks. North Korea has been notorious for resorting to violence to settle political objectives and consequently, South Korean experts will remain vigil of their activities. Another event to recall is the bombing at Seoul’s Gimpo International Aiport. This incident resulted in the death of five citizens prior to the start of the 1986 games. It is also suspected that North Korea will boycott the Seoul Olympics with Cuba, Albania, Ethiopia, Nicaragua and the Seychelles as they…