Tuesday, March 12, 2013

"Crossings................."

One of the children in our unit at school, a Fourth Grade girl, approaches me almost every day after lunch wanting me to walk her around the building. She comes with her upper torso wrapped in a Velcro-secured blanket, its length short enough to allow her at least some liberty with her hands and the whole idea of being packaged in such manner initiated at her own request. Dialogue is usually accomplished via signing or picture cards; but, in this case, her wish for an excursion is made known by extending to me a pair of leather gloves brought in at the first of the year specifically to avoid being scratched on such occasions. The two of us, thus garbed, are a pair. Nonetheless, we make our rounds, three levels, upstairs and down, occasionally taking one of the elevators, often stopping at the old room to which she was formerly attached, interested in whatever is going on there at the time. Today, however, for some reason a poster across the hall from that location caught her eye and for at least ten minutes she sat in a chair positioned just outside that door staring at the image of an adult hand reaching down to take a smaller one attempting to span the gulf between. "Touch the future. Communicate today", it read; but the words were beyond her comprehension and I had no idea of what was going through her mind. My own thoughts, though, were drawn to the truth that this old man's ability to connect with her depends on my reaching, as well, for His grip, His wisdom, and His influence as I go...

7 comments:

  1. Replies
    1. During my eleven years in this, Mich, she has probably been my second greatest challenge, even though I am not required to do all that much with her. Still, as with all these kids, she has matured some along the way (perhaps me, as well, in the relationship)and the two of us are, indeed, a "pair". Despite little discipline in her life, she craves attention and can warm her way into your heart....

      Delete
  2. This makes me smile, Jim. I can just picture it. It's the simple little things, isn't it?

    It reminds me of my foster niece who has Cerebral Palsy and very little physical ability. She is non-verbal but still manages to get her point across and definitely understand even the most subtle humour.

    When she was little, I would often try to find little art projects to do with her. Once when we were doing some hand-over-hand cutting and glueing, I held the garbage bag open so she could scoop the leftover cuttings into it. This was one large-motor skill that she could handle on her own so over and over and oh so slowly, she gathered the shreds with her arms and dragged them to the edge of the table. She kept going until it was all gone. She was incredibly focused on that task and, I could tell, had more fun doing that than she had had with the project itself. It changed the way I thought about what was fun for one person wasn't necessarily the same for another.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. When I took this job, it was with a bit a fear that I would not be able to communicate with them. How wrong I was. The brain may be marred in some way; but, inside, there is an identity, a person with a soul and a spirit just like you and me. Somehow "connection" is possible if we are willing to attempt it. If they will still have me, I am looking at one more year doing this, my body more and more telling me I am old; but I am not enjoying the idea of having to call it quits...

      Delete
  3. That's excellent, Jim. Will it be possible for you to go part time after next year? I have a feeling they would miss you greatly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Only way I could do part-time is to sign up for substituting, that's "on call" with no benefits....

      Delete