Whimisical Wednesday - Earth Day

This week we are mindful of our beautiful planet home.  Earth Day is a great opportunity for each of us to be thankful for what we have.  We also have the opportunity to be mindful of conserving resources and beautifying every area we touch whether it is planting flowers or picking up trash on the ground.

Day Program at Hannah and Friends worked on their individual versions of making this world a brighter place to live.  Nice artwork, Day Programmers! Thank you for sharing!

Thumbs up to all on this Whimsical Wednesday for making our planet a healthier, brighter, and more beautiful place in which to live!

Thoughts on Multimedia

As I was browsing some fellow blogger's sites, I came across a tidbit that hit me like a brick to the head, "Of course, why didn't I think of that?"  In blogging about the topic of disabilities and special needs, it occurs to me that I should practice what I preach. 

What I am babbling on about is the practice of using media as an assistance tool.  This blog uses audio files for the visually or reading impaired.  The audio file is attached to every blog and reads the blog to the viewer. KUDOS goes to REALITY 101: CEC'S  blog for new special education teachers!  You are modeling awareness and compassion by considering the potential needs of your readers.

Now, I have to run!  I have to start creating audio files and researching how to add this feature to my blogs - thank you Reality 101 for the inspiration and modelling good practices for all bloggers and blog readers, not just those blogs dedicated to the topic of special needs!

Performance Arts and the Special Needs Community

Performing Arts schools are provided for mainstream America but what about our special needs community?  There are some spectacular programs across the US like SPARC and I want to create one here in Michiana.

In my experience as a music teacher working with children and adults with special needs, I have come to learn that my students want to perform.  The problem is in having no place or forum in which to shine their gifts to an audience.

So, this is my question to you?  Would you support having a performing arts school in our community?  A school where students would learn, create and perform.  Do you see the value in offering such a program?  I hope you see the value as much as I do.

The special needs community wants to SHINE for you.  What do you think?  Are you ready?  Is Michiana ready for its own special needs performing arts school? Select your answer on the poll above.

Whimsical Wednesday

whim·si·cal

ˈ(h)wimzikəl/

adjective

adjective: whimsical

1.

playfully quaint or fanciful, esp. in an appealing and amusing way.

"a whimsical sense of humor"

Whimsical Wednesdays are a fun way to share a positive moment, story, picture, or media clip.  The special needs community deals daily with issues that can be described as less than whimsical.  This is our opportunity to let go and have a little fun. Hannah's Belles A project to collect and distribute dresses to girls and women with different abilities Girls and women of ALL abilities deserve the opportunity to become the belle of the ball!  We are collecting gently used dresses of all sizes (girls, juniors, misses, women's) and all occasions (sundresses, cocktail, prom, bridesmaid, etc) to then distribute to girls and women with different abilities, at no cost to them.  The goal is to help remind each of these ladies how beautiful they are!! Watch the Fox News video clip here.  Share your Whimsical Wednesday comments here.  Let us see what whimsy is happening all round us.

Autism Debate - what is the cause?

Jenny McCarthy, Dr. Jerry Kartzinel and J.B. Handley, co-founder of Generation Rescue, join The Doctors to discuss the causes of autism. Are vaccines to blame? Watch the first part of the heated debate.

For more, visit: http://thedoctorstv.com

Are vaccines to blame? Watch the second part of the heated debate.

Who doesn't like chicken soup?

Photo courtesy of Southern Food

Oh my, grab the tissues.  I just read some of the stories from Chicken Soup for the Soul: Children with Special Needs, Stories of Love and Understanding for Those Who Care for Children with Disabilities.  Yes, it is right on par with what you'd expect with this series.  You know, the stories that touch your heart so deeply that tears shoot out of your eyes?  Yeah, one story in particular took three tissues to get through.  I loved this book and I think you will, too. Read book excerpts here.

What I liked most about the book is that it is such a great way to get a glimpse of what families go through.  Whether it be outside or inside the family structure, so many people just don't understand that people with special needs are people.  People who love and understanding.  People who need compassion and kindness.  Some people just don't realize how hurtful certain comment can be.  This book draws attention to the painful and humorous parts of their lives.

The book isn't just about the sadness and hurt, there are many joyous, celebratory stories that, yes, made me cry tears of joy.  Ok, so I cry a little.  It's my form of emotional release, which since I blew through an entire box of Kleenex, it makes me wonder if I could be in risk of drowning at times. But I digress; as I was saying, the book is good.  Regardless if you leak from your eyes or not, I think you'll like it. 

Love & Music

Me and my teachers

Have you ever been loved by someone with special needs?  If you have then you will understand this post.  If you have not, I hope someday that you will.

I walk into Music and Movement class every Tuesday evening at 5pm.  I am greeted with shouts of laughter and loving acceptance.  The faces of my students light up like stars on a dark night and their smiles melt my heart.

For one hour a week, we get to sing, dance, learn and explore the joys of music and how our bodies move to its rhythm and beats. Currently, we are working on vocal dynamics where we use our voices to sings softly, as if we were singing to babies, or sing so powerfully that we could scare away a dragon.

Yes, I love teaching music and movement, but I think it is safe to say that I have learned way more than I have ever taught.  I have learned the power and depth of love, respect, and admiration.

My students model this for me at every class.  They treat each other with respect and encourage each other to be free and move, sing, dance, and be one with the music, as well as each with other.

I am challenged to keep the class interesting because as loving as my students can be, they are equally honest by nature.  If they don't like a song or activity they have no problem letting me know.

At first, this surprised me.  I am not sure why it surprised me; as we eventually learn in life, part of the success of any great relationship is effective communication. They are not unkind in their delivery, but they are clear and direct.








Once again, they are teaching me so much.  I am learning how to express my likes and dislikes by following their example.  You see, I don't doubt they love me just because they think some of my  musical tastes stink.

They tell me what selections of music they think I should be playing instead of the poorly selected ones.  Again, they are teaching me how to have a relationship based on honest, clear communication.

I really loved this article on what the world would be like if it was ran by people with down syndrome.  It is spot on to what I experience every week.  It goes into many more details that just the love and affection combined with honest communication.  Give it a read and see for yourself what this doctor has to say.  Read the full article here.

Yes, I love music and my students love music, but there is so much more learning and teaching going on that the tunes being played, moves and grooves being acted out, and voices being raise in song.  I am lucky to have such great teachers that love me and are honest with me.