Learning disability

I needed to do a “learning disability” simulation where I went to a store and struggled to think of what to say. Including the fact that I could not use the letters “L or N” in anything I said. I also needed to ask directions to something. My experience in the store was so interesting, at first I tried to think of what to say and I literally did not know how to express myself. So I decided to try talking to a lady to get directions in the store for printer paper. The tricky thing is that I could not use the word “printer”. I thought it would still work out though so I went up to her and said.

Me- “Hey…do you…do you have the…uh paper?

Lady Worker- “what paper”

Me- “white paper”

Lady- “white paper for what?”

Me- “The uh white paper to do…the…to do the homework…?”

Lady- “For what?”

Me- “White paper…from computer?”

Lady- “Printer paper?”

Me- “YES! Yes that is it!”

She was patient, but definitely confused, and it was interesting that I really had no other way to explain it and just had to hope she would understand. She then proceeded to give me directions to where the paper was, and truthfully I was very lost. I understood part of what she said but wasn’t sure. So I repeated back part of what she said in the words I could get out and I ended up just walking in the general direction.

I later had to ask about 3 other people some questions, as well as talk to the lady at the checkout. And it really was interesting how there were some things that were really just difficult to communicate. It made me grateful that the people were understanding and helpful. It made me think of how difficult it must be for people to express their needs without all the necessary words. It also made me realize how relieved I was when people did understand me, as well as how much I would try to practice in my mind ahead of time what I would say. What is interesting is no matter how much you practice in your mind what to say, there are always things that you still struggle to express through words.

Because it was really difficult in this experience to express myself it made me realize how difficult it must be for other people. It also made me realize that they truly must feel embarrassed and want so badly to get their point across. It made me want to make sure I was always patient and loving with others. The experiences basically included the fact that I struggled in front of people to do my best to communicate and was left at the mercy of them. It really made me realize how much our decision to be kind and understanding can bless those around us.

Learning reflection: Lesson 2

• A reflection of your process to learn it, and what you would change to learn more/better,
• I felt that during this week I really made an effort to not only learn the material but to also ponder about its implications in my life. I also was thinking of how I could help others with the knowledge that I learned. I tried to look at the topics from a perspective of compassion in order to fully understand the importance of the lesson. What I would do to learn the information better would be to try to have a separate spots in my notebook for my impressions as well as the facts we are learning.
• What experience or resource helped you learn the most,
• The experience that helped me learn the most was definitely the orthopedic impairment simulation. I have always had compassion for those in wheelchairs, but this experience brought me to a whole new level of understanding.
• How well prepared are you for applying what you learned in the future,
• I definitely feel in the situation of someone with a wheelchair I am now more prepared to be persistent with offering help. I still have yet to learn more about other disabilities so that I know how best to help them.
• How well did your peers learn and what did you do to help them learn more.
• I definitely feel that I did my best to contribute to my peer's knowledge. Especially if it was on a concept that I had studied more thoroughly. I made sure to share my ideas while still listening to theirs. They seemed to really care about the topics.

A whole new understanding- being in a wheelchair is impossibly difficult.

In my field of study for child development I have known for a few years that I would need to do an "orthopedic simulation" and use a wheelchair for a few hours. The idea of needing to do this worried me to the point where I nearly wanted to switch my major so I wouldn't need to. This was my first sign of understanding how difficult it really must be to be confined to a wheelchair. Because they really don't have a choice, and it isn't temporary. As the day approached for me to need to ride in the wheelchair I felt increasingly more nervous and aware of my weaknesses. I knew it would be difficult to ride up and down a hill and that I would not be very quick. I also knew that in general I am self conscious of the thoughts of others. It is interesting that one of the things I was worried about the most was being looked down on by others. This fear really is tragic because it should never be the case. If anything people with disabilities should be looked up to. They are so humble, sweet and brave for constantly trying to complete difficult tasks that we take for granted.

The first experience that I had while being in the wheelchair was the differences of the normal wheelchair verses the "special" made wheelchair. The first chair was difficult to maneuver and to be able to move around without the wheel hitting my foot. The special made wheelchair on the other hand was a lot more convenient and felt light to use. Many people don't have this option and must suffer through one that is very difficult to use.

The next experience came when I needed to go down and up a hill. I assumed that it would be hard coming up the hill but I had no idea the true impossibility of both of the two experiences. Firstly going down the hill is so dangerous. Your wheel chair literally starts spiraling out of control and goes so fast that you are can not control it. Also your hands hurt in general from pushing the wheelchair, and on top of that it is scary to stop the wheelchair because you are afraid that your hands will get stuck in the wheels.

Going up the hill. Is like trying to walk through quicksand. I went so slow I might as well have been crawling. I literally was so shocked by the true intense difficulty of the situation. It was not only tiring for my arms but it felt as if all the strength had left them and I had only just started going up the hill! A kind young man offered to push me but I was worrying that he would be late for class and said he would not need to, also I knew it would be very difficult for him. But I secretly wanted him to push me. Then I was inching/struggling up the hill when another person offered to help, I definitely wanted help so I agreed. But I warned him that the wheelchair did not have handlebars and that it was a long way but he still helped out. (I later helped a sweet pregnant girl who was also needing to use the wheelchair and it is also quite difficult to push, it exhausts your breath) so I am grateful for the person that pushed me, his girlfriend/friend helped him by holding his things but I could tell he was out of breath.

Something astoundingly tragic to me is that bathrooms have a bump in the floor between the bathroom and the hallway. That is nearly impossible to get over with a wheelchair. I had to open the door and try holding on to the door and pulling the wheelchair and myself in. It really was impossible without someones help. People helped me with that as well when they saw me struggling.

A huge major difficulty that I never thought of before was in order to get onto the toilet the person has to really use all their upper body strength to try to hoist themselves up and it just is really tricky and difficult. I mean this in the most appropriate way possible -not only that but how do you get ready to use the bathroom? Think about it. It is extremely impossible it takes a lot of lifting yourself on each side and slowly shimming your pants down. Basically you either have to take your pants off while sitting in the chair which is unsanitary for yourself and other people, or to sit on the toilet seat and try to take them off! ALSO impossible.

WE ARE SO BLESSED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
To have our legs and our ability to walk!
I hope I never EVER ever everrr again rush to a class while someone is struggling to use a wheelchair. Because even if someone says they are fine and don't need help. PLEASE help!!! I told someone I was fine, but inside I was silently begging them to be unrelenting and still help push me in the wheelchair.

Changes that should be made-
Wheelchairs should have a way to slowly let the wheels roll down a hill under control without destroying your hands to stop them.
The wheelchairs should be lighter and easier to maneuver while still having the handle bars to push someone in a wheel chair.
Bathrooms should have little ramps that allow someone to get over the bump.
Automatic doors should open on both sides so its easier to get through.

Basically this experience of struggling to accomplish certain tasks in a wheel chair made me want to make sure that I help those in need who are in a wheelchair. I would also want to make sure that in my classroom I would arrange the class in a way where it is easily accessible and even have activities where other children volunteer to help the child out who is in a wheelchair.