Tuesday, April 7, 2015

Day 9 4/5/15


Blog 9

4/5/15

 

            Today was Easter Sunday, I went home to spend time with my family.  During this holiday I enjoy spending time visiting my family.  Usually on holidays my Aunt Cathy comes to our house and spends time with us.  This Easter however, it wasn't possible for Aunt Cathy to come over so I decided to go visit her at her group home.  Cathy is 40 years old and has what is called Rett's.  This is a severe form of autism.  Cathy is non-verbal but expresses her feelings through facial expressions.  If Cathy is smiling it usually means she is happy.  If Cathy is showing aggressive behaviors such as hitting herself in the head or hitting other this usually means she needs something.  Today, me and my mom went to go visit Cathy and volunteer to help with Easter festivities.  While my mom helped the ladies in the kitchen set the table and so forth I worked with some of the adults in the home including my aunt.  They were all pretty relaxed watching T.V. so I tried to get everyone up and moving.  I put some music on in the room and turned the lights up.  I got my aunt to stand and walk around.  The abilities of the people in the home varied.  Some were verbal and enjoyed socializing with me.  Me and Ken a participant who was verbal threw a soft ball back and forth.  He really enjoyed this.  Although his throwing skills was still in the elementary stage he was eager to learn and he could have thrown that ball all day.  I took my aunt and another lady probably in her 30's into and exercise room.  The equipment available was limited but we used what was available.  We used exercise balls.  I had the girls take turn sitting on them and holding my hands they did sit-ups.  Overall, I think this was a different experience and I am glad that I did this.  It gave the workers at the home time to prepare Easter dinner and gave me a chance to work with the adults.    

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