My Service Hours

I had fun getting together with one of my friends who was a co-worker at DWI (Development Workshop), we’ll call her “H” for short and her protection.  She is 27 and has only lived in Idaho for a little over a year.  She lived with her parents in MT when they had a lodge.  She is adjusting fine (she has an older brother that also works for DWI), but is on an emotional level of about 8-9 years.  This was not a problem, for the most part, until there was some inappropriateness from an older “friend” showing interest.  It is scary how many people try to take advantage or even for granted those whose disability has them as innocent children.  Luckily, family and caregivers found out and intervened.   As one of her four items she wanted to discuss or work on was how to develop better friendship skills (and not be a victim).  I have, unfortunately, heard of many, especially recently, where they are being preyed upon first as intended love interest, and then, even worse, they go on to the pocketbook, sometimes even taking the good credit of the caregiver down with them.  Luckily, there are laws which can clear this up, but those who are left in the wake are often befuddled and even turn against those who are either trying or are there to help them.  My point is that 1) I’m glad that I can help (trying to be part of solution instead of problem), 2) and that my friend got out safe (unscathed).  3) That virtue is worth more than money can buy. 4) That this is currently a problem that I think many if not most people are unaware of.

On a better note, she also wanted some help with her GED studies (and is doing quite well).  I taught her study techniques (color-coded flash cards, and breaking down a paragraph or sentence to either find point of view or the opinion being stated.  Some were very hard.  One was from a Yale scholarship paper and was comparing and contrasting opinion on “Popular Constitutionalism” and “Judicial Supremacy”.  I am just thankful for my law classes this semester which helped me understand these points of view enough to discuss and educate her on them so that she could understand the questions that were being asked of her.  She found it very interesting that this is what people discuss and debate.

The third objective was to help her with her air hockey game.  This was challenging as she hurt her dominant arm with the carpal tunnel on a night we had planned to work on this.  We rescheduled playing for another night and she was able to observe some tactics or skills from my kids and we tried gently playing with her less dominant arm.  We had fun all the way around.

The final objective, we were going to include another friend who is blind and get a “beeper” ball in order to have them play and learn Ping-Pong together.  Our other friend broke her foot and between a walking cast (which she is still in) and the wheelchair (when she was avail.), we thought it would be too much.  “H” had a great deal of fun and enjoyed doubles with the kids and me.  She actually improved quite quickly and when our friend is better-next year, we plan to still take her out to “beeper ball.”

I know the objective was to learn to work with adults who are disabled instead of just kids.  I actually began my work with adults with disabilities in 1996, long before I ever worked with children (3 years ago).  I have always loved the people, not always the situations, but I have always loved the people and have found this to be very rewarding personally, professionally, and with my friendships.  We’re all in this together!

P.S.  We actually, with the reschedule of the air hockey averaged 7 hours.  This stretched my patience (I know the “gentleman”, he’s my age and tried to previously date me) and my heartstrings, knowing how vulnerable she is.  If I do not get credit for not being able to include my friend with the injured foot, I understand.  She had family/personal things come up and we were unable to schedule any additional time.