We did a lot of fun activities and more group exercises to keep us all focused. In the first activity I wasn't allowed to use my dominant arm. So I had to write and draw with my left hand. I think I've actually gotten better using it. Others in my group were blind folded or had earplugs couldn't use either arm. Our creation turned out interesting to say the least. Then we had something called the amazing race. During this time we were put in different groups and we had a bunch of different stations to go to. Each station was about a different disability and we were timed for how long it took us to complete various tasks.
In one of the stations we had to paint a picture with a paint brush in our mouth and we couldn't use our hands and that is where we learned about spinal cord disabilities. It was really cool because Joni Erickson Tada (the whole founder or Joni and Friends) paints beautiful pictures like that all the time. Then there was another station where we had to wear gloves and put beads on a bracelet. There, we learned about disabilities regarding feeling in your hands.
Next was almost my least favorite. It was the speech impairment station. We had to play that telephone game with a huge giant marshmallow stuffed in our mouth. I didn't think it would be that difficult (especially because when Daniel passed on the phrase to me I understood perfectly) but when it came to my turn I almost couldn't make any word. All I could do was sound. And I started to gag, my eyes started watering, and marshmallow juice started pouring out of my mouth. It was a pretty bad experience. Somehow I was able to mumble something to the next person to pass on and then I ran into the bathroom and spit it all out. Not the best experience.
The next station we learned about wheelchairs and we got to try them out by having someone push us around an obstacle course with a cup of water on our head. Yes we did get a little wet. It really important learning the do's and don'ts of wheelchairs too, and even though I know them, it's always good to have a refresher. :)
Next was easily my least favorite one. It was about Autism. There was a lot of helpful information and I took it all in because sometimes the children with Autism can be the most difficult to work with. But our task in that station was to take a quiz about the camp rules but with a ton of distractions surrounding us. There was loud music and whistles and clapping and then there was the clam juice....
There was a little squirty bottle filled with clam juice that you were supposed to squirt near someones nose so they could smell the awful smell to distract them. Well you had to becareful not to squeeze it to hard or it would shoot out. When the person did it to me it squirted everywhere. It was in my eye and up my nose and all over my paper and my arm. And if you've never smelled clam juice well let me tell you it smells like a really dirty pet store. It was soooo gross and I was so upset because I had to walk around smelling like that the rest of the day. Seriously, I can't think of anything much worse.
And lastly there was a station about blindness. That was simple, I didn't have to be blind folded but I had to lead someone around who was. Daniel had to be blind folded though. Doing all these things might sound silly, and sometimes I think it's weird but if you take it really seriously and think about what it would be like to be affected by a disability like any of the above it and live with it on a daily basis it really opens your eyes. It gives us a very small taste of what's it's like to deal with some of these things. After regrouping and having an awesome devotional, here I am.
Also, our retreat Pastor is awesome this year. He's new as the Pastor but he's definitely not new to Joni and Friends Family retreat. He has a 13 year old son that has Autism and Muscular Distrophy and I believe he said something else that he was born with too. His wife and the two boys will be joining him tomorrow and while leading the whole camp as a Pastor he will also be attending it with his family. He is really cool and he has a lot of great stories and advice for us. Today one of the main things he said that stuck out to me was: People need to know they are loved. It's so true and that right there is something I am incredibly passionate about. I don't care who you are, what you've done, what you look like, you need to know you're loved. So please keep praying that the Lord uses this Pastor and speaks through him all week. And please keep praying for the families that are coming tomorrow.
Also, if you could pray for my health I would really appreciate it. I've had a little cough and my body (especially my back) has been pretty achy. I'm hoping I'm just adjusting to the elevation or something. I don't want to get sick! I want to be 100% for the rest of training and for when the families come tomorrow!
Hopefully I'll have more pictures later :)
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