ok. so, I changed a diaper today

[ulysses]

on a 13-year-old severely intellectually disabled student. We were supposed to just "observe" for the first day of student teaching. :D

Working with these kids for the month is going to be a good experience, if tiring. We have one girl who's 11 or 12, but who functions cognitavely at about the level of a nine-month-old. She likes to walk around and get up in the others' koolaid, and so I'm learning quickly how to gently put a very wiry, powerful child back in her seat.

Gonna be an interesting summer...

[GOPisEvil]

1. Interesting to say the least.

I'm glad there are people like you in this world. Good luck!

[ulysses]

6. thanks!

I may well need it. I volunteered for this student population partly out of a "face your fears" kind of desire, and I expect that I'm going to be challenged well beyond today's events.

[candy]

2. More people like you and the world would be a better place.

[ulysses]

4. nah.

Thanks, but the folks who do this work year in and year out are the same kind of flawed beings as I am. I'm doing it for a month, for experience.

[candy]

13. But you ARE doing it !!!

[ulysses]

18. doesn't mean that I make the world a better place.

I do this now instead of coding xml like I was I couple of years ago for a lot more money. I'd like to see a discussion on relative worth (hell, maybe I'll start one tonight in GD), but I'm not as certain of the ground on which I stand as I once was.

The stuff I'm doing this summer is necessary work, but there are a lot of folks who've been doing it for far longer. They're the ones I keep in mind when I gripe about politicians fucking with education.

[proud patriot]

3. I used to work with severely multiply Happicapped teenagers

I did it for six months . careful with your back ,
I hurt mine over time .

I remember how absolutely rewarding it was working with them.
I was thankful everyday for every little thing I was able to
do without assistance . You learn to appreciate the little
things very quickly .

[ulysses]

5. I thought a couple of times today

that I'm fortunate to not be working with high schoolers. It is very physical, and my back isn't what it once was.

I think it will be quite rewarding and humbling. :hi: proud!

[GCP]

7. I second that about your back

Lift with your knees!!
Otherwise, congrats on doing a job 90% of the population would turn down - and never realize what they were missing in love and humanity.

[ulysses]

12. lift with your knees - always!

:)

These kids really are pretty amazing. They make you think about a lot of things.

[KG]

8. has dealing with the neo-libs and other assorted conservatives

on DU prepared you for this job?

[ulysses]

10. heh! as many times as I've wiped the ass of a conservative,

no. Never seen a sweeter bunch of kids, actually, if a bit ornery on occasion. :)

[SOteric]

9. You rock, uly

:hug:

You take on the most incredible challenges for the best possible reasons.

:loveya:

[ulysses]

11. not all altruism, Julsy.

All of us who are in special ed and male got let out of the "must wear a tie" requirement today, not because my tie got mildly decorated with spittle, food and feces, but because the guys who are in the behavior classes could get throttled with them.

[Pithlet]

14. Souds like you have your work cut out for you this summer.

Rewarding, but exhausting.

[ulysses]

17. pretty much.

Tell Kev to call me if he ever needs to change diapers in law school. :D

[ScreamingMeemie]

15. Can I just say that you are awesome?

And it is my fervent wish that someday the gods will smile upon you and mrs uly and you will be changing the diaper of the little one that you so deserve.

I so admire you right now.

:hi:

Laura

[ulysses]

16. keep your fingers crossed

We're meeting with a birthmom and her boyfriend for the second time on Wednesday. I have a good feeling about this one, but then I had a good feeling about the match in March that fell through, so what the hell do I know?

Thanks!

[ScreamingMeemie]

19. They are crossed.

All the best of wishes to you both.

[davsand]

20. Uly, after all this time you still dazzle me.

Every time I see your posts, you just take me aback with how wonderful you are. Special populations are not for everyone, and I admire you greatly for signing up for it.

Bless you, and there are few who really CAN recognize or even appreciate the blessings to be found in these kids. You, however are one of that few... You are gonna be an awesome Dad.


Laura

[BritishHuman]

21. You're a great person...

I think the vast majority of us would hold up our hands and say we could never deal with a classroom full of special needs children for an entire day. I know I couldn't.

Did you ever see www.tardblog.com? It's gone, alas, but it was a special ed teacher venting. Funny and sweet. Really gives you some perspective.

It's archived here. The hate mail is pretty funny.

[commander bunnypants]

22. trust me it gets easier with time

I worked with severly mentally disabled adults. You just do it cause it needs to be done. Either you take a bad smell for a few seconds or the person can have some severe skin problems.

DDQM- social worker