Never underestimate the power of dreams and the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within all of us.
-Wilma Rudolph
Today began like yesterday with Abby and Paige heading to annex with the the new sign language chart they made for Hector. They arrived just in time for snack and Paige was able to help Hector learn three new signs for more, eat, and help. Hector was able to pick up these signs with a quickness and tell Paige "help" when a pancake had fallen, "more" when he wanted more food, and "eat" to even further differentiate he wanted more pancake. Check out the TEAMworks facebook page for a sweet video of Hector using his new found signs. We are hopeful that Hectors new communciation skills will unlock the potential for more socialization and independence. In the afternoon, the team headed to the main campus where a dance party ensued. Paige and Abby were able to share the potential of the joy within each child with a simple interaction.
Our ROCKSTAR PT has converted to a speech language therapist! Abby was able to help teach simple signs to many of the children and also spent her evening programming the assistive communciation device.
Kelly began the morning on the main campus. With the help of her new friend and translator, Melissa, she was able to help out in the other OT rooms. In the first, she noticed a boy drawing intricate pictures on a pieces of paper. When she inquired whether he could copy simple shapes or write his name, the answer was no, however, the teacher let her try anyway. Within seconds Benjamin had copied multiple circles and crosses, traced his name, and written his name independently without any prompting. His teacher was shocked, and Kelly really hopes this will encourage the teacher to increase his potential for learning with more demanding tasks. During lunch, Kelly was able to eat with a young man named Jose. He was not verbal and reportedly did not interact with the staff and other residents frequently. During lunch he would make great eye contact and reach for Kelly's help to load his spoon. Once loaded, he would independently bring it to his mouth to feed himself. She is hopeful that those who witnessed these interactions will be moved to push for interaction with this sweet young man.
These last two days have been long. The progress sometimes slow, but always evident. We hope that we were able to show that with even just the smallest bit of faith, encouragement, joy, and effort that EVERY individual has the potential for greatness.