|
ECUADOR|
Community Internships in Latin America
3
of 6 reflections
When
I was in Quito, my internship was at a
daycare for kids with developmental problems
due to malnutrition, Downs Syndrome, and
Cerebral Palsy. It was an incredible experience,
because despite their problems, the kids
were very happy. There was a two-year-old
named Jesus with severe Cerebral Palsy.
His legs were essentially useless and
he couldn’t speak at all. Despite
his limitations, he was one of the happiest
kids there, because he always found a
way to do what he wanted. One morning
the two of us were playing catch when
the ball got past him, and rolled about
15 feet behind him. I didn’t think
he could get to it, so I started to go
after it for him. Since he couldn't stand
it when people helped him with things
he could do himself, he glared at me and
slowly made his way to the ball. Since
he couldn't use his legs, he used his
arms to drag himself forward. Then because
he had minimal control of his arms, he
wildly flung his arms forward and then
pulled himself a little further. When
he got to the ball, I doubted that he
could bring it back since he couldn't
use his arms to carry anything. Jesus
stared at it for a minute, obviously thinking
about his options, grabbed the ball with
his teeth, and slowly came back. Even
though he dropped the ball 2 or 3 times,
he never got discouraged and made it all
the way back. It was wonderful to see
how Jesus and the other children didn't
let anything stop them. I know a lot of
adults who don't even begin to have the
determination and resourcefulness Jesus
and the other kids had.
|
