Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Disabled for a Day!


Harrison spent the entire day today in a wheelchair. No, not because he was injured, but because he was participating in a class study of what it's like to be disabled. Another boy spent the day on crutches, another one in an arm sling, and yet another was blindfolded during lunch. Harrison's biggest challenge was maneuvering the wheelchair through the door to go to the bathroom. His teacher purposely failed to mention that the wheelchair had brakes, so each time he pushed the door open, the wheelchair pushed back. Finally, after he experienced the frustration of doing this, the teacher showed him how to use the brakes and he was able to push the door open and get to the bathroom. What a cool teacher and cool curriculum! Harrison loved it and can't wait to be on crutches and have his arm in a sling. Over the next two weeks all the kids will get to experience all the disabilities. Harrison is in an integrated classroom, meaning that about six of the kids in his class have special needs, so this was a great lesson to incorporate. Here he is in the wheelchair!

2 comments:

Mimi/Papa said...

What a great thing to do to make others aware of the handicapped and what they have to go through each day. Good for Harrison for participating. What a wonderful thing to do!

Hayley said...

Haha I remember being in 4th grade and being SO jealous of Mr. M's class. I would always want to be in the wheelchair! :)