Hi, James!  Recently you wrote in a message to Ardith Hinton:

[Re kayaking, canoeing, etc.]
JB>  In the structured 'classes' I went to, we were required
JB>  to get wet in order to test our newly learnt lessons.
JB>  For you, it sounds like things were a little more free-
JB>  form, but equally effective, or more so.


         Probably.  There is an underlying structure... but various things
must be modified for people with special needs.  If the focus of a
particular lesson is on how to get back into a kayak when one or more limbs
don't work very well, that's enough of a challenge without the added
complication of frigid water.  I watched with amusement the antics involved
in getting a service dog back into a kayak too, when he & his human
companion had to perform the same drill....  :-)



AH>  She's one of those people... trying not to bore you with
AH>  psychobabble... whose hearts rule their heads, who have
AH>  loads of empathy but don't seem to remember the basic
AH>  laws of physics & whatnot when the situation requires
AH>  that they put such concepts to use.

JB>  In that case, I wouldn't let loose with both barrels.
JB>  I would still try to edumicate her though.


         Uh-huh.  She's a kind-hearted & sensitive person who's easily
hurt, so I try to be gentle when she asks (for example) whether Nora can
climb a certain number of stairs & I want more information about the
height of the risers.  :-/



AH>  While I appreciate her ability to tune in to Nora's needs
AH>  in many ways, I often have to spell out practical details.
AH>  People generally resort to their preferred reasoning style
AH>  in an emergency... so I'm not sure she'd catch on quickly!

JB>  That is a tough one to call.


         Yes, it is.  Nora has said several times that the teacher saved
her... they were canoeing on a small lake... they were all wearing life
jackets... and nobody drowned!  Knowing Nora as I do, I think the teacher's
physical proximity was probably very reassuring to her.  The textbook may
not recommend attempting to help various people at the same time by diving
into the water with them, but under the circumstances it may have been
surprisingly effective.  Maybe that is what was necessary to make sure the
kids were receptive to instruction....  :-)



AH>  Whether or not I'd catch on any more quickly in the same
AH>  situation I can't say because I've never been in a canoe.
AH>  I knew how to deal with my aunt's aphasia some time after
AH>  seeing an article about it in READER'S DIGEST, however.
AH>  I may be unusual in that I notice such things before the
AH>  need arises....  :-)

JB>  I'll bite. What is aphasia?


         A condition in which a person isn't able to speak because of
damage to the language centre of the brain.  Depending on the nature of
this injury, they may or may not be able to understand spoken or written
communication originated by others.  My aunt had a stroke which severely
affected her ability to speak & to use her right hand.  She was able to
mime what she wanted, to some extent... so my parents understood what she
meant when she demonstrated an action such as brushing her teeth or
applying deodorant.  They were quite baffled, however, in regard to one
particular issue.  She was worried about something, but what??  I offered
to see what I could do.  She kept repeating the word "June", and
when I didn't get it she obtained a magazine from the other side of the
room & pointed out the date.  I said "Something which happens in
June?"  She nodded in assent, and we were off & running.  About
twenty minutes later I'd ascertained that the as yet unpaid bill for the
taxes on her house was in a cupboard in the kitchen.

         I made a kid's day in rehab too.  Nora had a roommate with a
stroke on the same side of the brain.  I explained to Nora that
"Melanie" understood, but couldn't speak.  Then I turned to
"Melanie" and asked whether this analysis was correct.  She
grinned from ear to ear & nodded enthusiastically in reply.  Many
people assume those who can't speak have nothing to say... but that was not
the case with her or with my aunt!  And with time & effort, a person
who has had an injury of this type may recover a lot of their speech. 
While the pronunciation may be rather odd & the words may come
haltingly, the basics are there....  :-)




--- timEd/386 1.10.y2k+