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Wednesday, January 26, 2011

A Squirrely Story

As a child, I was a squirrel whisperer. I lived in one of those small mid-western towns with big oaks and mulberry trees in the yards teeming with bushy-tailed critters. One summer, bored, I decided to tame one. After experimenting with different tactics, I decided that he was best motivated by nuts. I sat for hours, day after day, and lured it with peanuts, closer and closer until he trusted me enough to take one out of my hand. It took a lot of time, but I kept at it. After a month, he would eat a treat while sitting on my leg and let me pet him. We became friends. By the end of the summer, he would scamper into the garage and climb up onto my bike where he could reach the window, give a couple of knocks, (scaring my poor mother), and insist on my attention (and food).

The other day after a workshop, I was thinking, “Why do we understand that wild or frightened animals need such patience and wooing and kindness, and so often forget that our damaged children need the same thing?”

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Life as a River

I stole this from my friend Evonne Harden who posted it on facebook. It's a conversation between her son and herself and too good not to share.

Me: Son, don't you remember how much Trouble you were in yesterday for this very same thing?

Him: Yes.

Me: Well, did you even think about it today?

Him: No.

Me: Son! Your life is like a RIVER! It all flows together! The previous day's weather effects the current and flow and wildlife today. The pollution dumped upstream effects life downstream. Your life is a River! It is not a series of puddles or ponds. It is a River. It all flows together. Do you understand?

Him: Yes.

Me: Okay. Explain it to me.

And he did.

Thanks, Evonne

Morgan’s Wonderland

I have nothing but good to report about my family’s visit to Morgan’s Wonderland. About a year old, this park, located in San Antonio, Texas, was created to accommodate children and adults with disabilities. My family has several family members with disabilities- two in wheelchairs, one visually impaired, one with Down Syndrome, one without arms, and a few with sensory sensitivity. We all had a blast!

I was impressed with the clean, beautiful park, that has several playgrounds that will accommodate wheelchairs , ramps leading to every level and activity, a wheelchair accessible carrousel, and race cars, sand galore, and a sensory building. I must say that I was disappointed with the assortment of sensory activities, but this is a new park, so I’ll give them time to add more. The one really cool thing was a room with interactive wall-sized video screens. A virtual butterfly landing on your shadow or tiny minnows chasing you across the wall provide entertainment for kids of all ages and abilities. There is also a gym full of balls, a lake for fishing, water activities, a music and sound area and a relaxing picnic area. The park is staffed by helpful, smiling volunteers.

If you're planning a trip in the San Antonio area, it is well worth your time to include this park as a day trip, especially if you have a child with a disability. Would I say it is worth the fourteen-hour trip from Albuquerque just to visit Morgan’s Wonderland? Probably not, but my family will definitely visit again when we’re in the area. If you do decide to go, make sure you call 24 hours ahead for reservations and the admission price is only $5 for persons accompanying a person with a disability. If you go without a reservation, the cost doubles. People with disabilities are always free.