Local Outreaches...
Posted by Amanda , Sunday, March 21, 2010 12:57 PM
Outreach this week was amazing. At the end of our week, we spent two mornings working at a school for children with special needs. The first morning I spent shadowing the physical therapist. I can’t even describe how cool it was. There were kids with all kinds of disabilities that came through the doors, but he knew each one of them, exactly how to work with them and how to make them smile. We were actually able to participate and help him in whatever exercises he was doing with them. The morning started out with crawling along the mats and helping a young boy with down-syndrome play ball. It progressed into rocking and bouncing some precious girls with cerebral palsy. Just watching their faces light up every time someone would talk to them or when they got to bounce was remarkable. They are so childlike and excited about everything. The therapist that was working with them was great. You could tell that he truly loved his job and cared for each one of the kids. He was always patient and gentle with them. He made it so much fun, by singing songs and playing games. They all loved it.
The next morning we were switched around into another room. There were four kids, with several disabilities. One of them especially grabbed my heart. He was talkative and funny, always seeming to enjoy everything he was doing. Close to the end of class, I took him for a walk around the school and then we went back to the classroom. It was time for us to leave, but he did not want to let go of my hand. He was playing soccer and wanted me to play with him. I kept saying “Hasta luego!” but he would have none of it. He was so sweet and I wish so badly I could have stayed longer with him. It was really great to be in that classroom though. A lot of the educating they do with the kids is teaching them life skills. The day we were there, they were making fruit salads. One way they teach the kids is by using all of the senses. Every time we cut open the cantaloupe or watermelon, the teacher would repeat the name, give them a chance to touch and smell it and then let them eat a couple pieces. It was a new experience and one that I am really glad I was able to participate in. The children were truly wonderful, full of life and love.
On Friday night, we went to do Metro Ministries. It was at a different location that some of our students have been going to throughout the whole school. I had never been there though, but immediately fell in love with the kids. We started playing “Pato, Pato, Gonzo” also known as “Duck, Duck, Goose.” Every little girl wanted to be “it” and loved being able to chase you around the circle. I feel like those times, just playing with the kids, sitting with them and smiling…those times bring me back to why I do what I do. They make the world feel right. There really is nothing better than hanging out with kids and being silly. That night, we had a team from L.A. come with us and do some dramas. The kids were really into the program. I ended up with a little girl falling asleep on my shoulder and held her for probably a good hour. I couldn’t feel my arm afterwards, but it was worth it. ;) Kids are just so great, and if there is nothing else that I take away from these experiences, I do know that kids are valuable and they bring life. Being around them refreshes me and makes me feel like taking on the world again. And that is a beautiful thing.
