Dear Nikki,
It was definitely a memorable experience. I am very grateful for all those wonderful people working there. To be honest, I don’t think I prepared myself metaphysically well enough to handle what’s going on there before the trip. I still felt helpless when I saw the little boy screaming while tied up on a chair. But I also know what we saw for ten minutes in the classroom is not the whole picture. Unlike other field trips, I didn’t take a lot of notes, partly because I was constantly paying attention to how the children behave in the classroom. I have to say, it is not materially a pretty picture.
It was definitely a memorable experience. I am very grateful for all those wonderful people working there. To be honest, I don’t think I prepared myself metaphysically well enough to handle what’s going on there before the trip. I still felt helpless when I saw the little boy screaming while tied up on a chair. But I also know what we saw for ten minutes in the classroom is not the whole picture. Unlike other field trips, I didn’t take a lot of notes, partly because I was constantly paying attention to how the children behave in the classroom. I have to say, it is not materially a pretty picture.
This summer I had experience working with a few people who are also considered mentally developmental disability. I remember the first day when I was feeding a young man, I was so scared by the noise he made. With a lot of prayerful work, by the end of the summer, I was able to feel comfortable around them. I especially built a connection with one person who loved joining our children’s program and was so loved by the kids. He later had an amazing healing from not being able to get out of his wheelchair to running around the hallway.
Comparing those two experiences, I have to say, I don’t know if I would really enjoy working in an environment which put such emphasize on the medical. At Arc, I saw a little boy was “tied up” on a wooden chair; later I saw him walking in the hallway like a normal kid. I am not sure what is the right exercise for him: to run around freely on the grass or to be tied on a chair? I am pretty sure they are doing what they think is right for him. Maybe parts of his muscles need to be stretched in certain ways. I know so little and have no right to judge.
I am deeply grateful that such a place exists in this area and all the people working there (who don’t see anything wrong with them and who reflect unconditional love and have an honest, pure heart).
Thank you for giving us this experience. I would love to hear more stories about your two years working in special education.
Much Love,
Jamie
9.25.15
ARC website
http://www.bedellarc.org/
Comparing those two experiences, I have to say, I don’t know if I would really enjoy working in an environment which put such emphasize on the medical. At Arc, I saw a little boy was “tied up” on a wooden chair; later I saw him walking in the hallway like a normal kid. I am not sure what is the right exercise for him: to run around freely on the grass or to be tied on a chair? I am pretty sure they are doing what they think is right for him. Maybe parts of his muscles need to be stretched in certain ways. I know so little and have no right to judge.
I am deeply grateful that such a place exists in this area and all the people working there (who don’t see anything wrong with them and who reflect unconditional love and have an honest, pure heart).
Thank you for giving us this experience. I would love to hear more stories about your two years working in special education.
Much Love,
Jamie
9.25.15
ARC website
http://www.bedellarc.org/