lookin' up to you....

Lacy (4th gr/9 years old) 2007


Lacy now




Last week the DinoMights had their annual academic Powercamp.

We had 18 new students attend the camp. Often when we recruit kids, if their siblings are in elementary school we invite them to join as well. One of the new kids had an older 4th grade sister who decided to join DinoMights. The other 4th grade girls were not being very inclusive during game time. They all attend the same school, and this girl does not.

I have hope for these 4th grade girls.....

I began tutoring/mentoring Lacy when she was in 4th grade. She is now going into 7th grade. This past week at camp she asked this new 4th grade DinoMight to play a game with her. I observed this interaction and welled up with emotion. Throughout the week she continually included this girl. Lacy has 3 younger siblings looking up to her, but also many other eyes watching and admiring her actions. She is such a beautiful girl and I am continually grateful to have her in my ife.

neurobics

Little did I know that doing routine tasks with your non-dominant hand helps with brain development. Yes, it seems like common sense that it would help stiumulate the brain in different ways. Apparently this is called neurobics., which is essentially doing things you normally do but done differently. Like brushing your teeth with the other hand, taking a shower with your eyes closed, writing with the opposite hand, taking a different route to work, etc.
Writing a paragraph a day with your non-dominant hand supposedly will make you ambidextrous over time.

What happens in your brain while you’re doing this becomes a brain exercise because different, underused nerve pathways and connections get activated. This stimulates the growth of new brain cells and brain connections.

I have been attending physical therapy twice a week. Yesterday I showed up with a list of questions.. While it is difficult each day to come to terms with parts of my independence being taken away, I am learning a great deal.I may not be able to drive until mid to late August. Since the break was so bad, I will have some type of splint/brace until October. I will be able to student teach and I will be able to write with my right hand starting mid-August. Each day it gets a little better.



The most difficult parts about this experience are:
-learning to ask for help/having to rely on other people
-figuring out how to do activities that seem so natural with your dominant hand
-certain tasks taking 3X as long as usual
-not being able to quickly get somewhere biking or driving

Things I am thankful for:
-phenomenal friends
-amazing family
-understanding professors & co-workers
-that this has strangely taught me A TON

4th o' July

On Saturday our house had a bbq & a small fireworks display.
It was a lovely evening. At first the kids who live below us, and our friend Angel's kids were all sitting together on a blanket watching the fiery display. Then, some little neighborhood kids began to watch through the fence. We invited them in to join the group. 9 kids who had never met each other were dancing around the backyard with their sparklers. Native American, African-American, and Latino kids enjoying the moment. Children are our greatest teachers and examples of beauty.