Baltimore, MD - Apr. 25, 2018 :
Community Reflection on B’More Inclusive
Local Jewish Middle Schoolers participated in the B'More Inclusive community project in which they worked together with peers who have special needs. Together they made place mats for seniors, get well cards and rain sticks for kids in the hospital and scarves for people in shelters.
Looking back on the experience this is what they said:
NERVOUS… I was nervous because we couldn’t communicate or relate to them
In the beginning when we came in I was a bit overwhelmed
I was nervous because we were seeing all these kids with special needs and I didn’t know what to expect
I was nervous because two kids got me a little surprised by jumping on me
I was nervous about meeting people that were so different than me and I had no idea what to expect
SURPRISED…I didn’t think they would be able to communicate or do anything but they were able to
[I was surprised] how hard it can be for others
Even though some of them could not talk they had their own way to communicate
I was surprised at how much they were able to understand and do
I was surprised at how smart and nice they were
I was surprised at how quickly me and my friend bonded
I was surprised that even though they all had very severe disabilities they all had different abilities
[I was] surprised they could do so many things
It was interesting to meet people who are different and have different needs
I LEARNED….Even disabled kids have feelings
It was interesting to see the way they did projects compared to the way we would do it
They all had something special about them even though they had some disabilities
Even disabled kids have feelings and I realized they are not so scary
WOWED … I was amazed to see this school, the staff and the equipment for the children
CHANGED… I felt more comfortable at the end than when we first came in
It changed the way I look at people
I was changed. At the beginning I felt nervous but then I realized she has feelings like everyone else and this has been a great experience!
MOTIVATED… Once I met the kids I was motivated to participate in an activity with them
I was motivated to do more activities like this
I was motivated to spread the word that [these] kids are just like other kids
I was motivated to become their friend in a short amount of time
It motivated me help more and do random acts of kindness
Once I met the kids I was motivated to participate in the activity with them
It made me want to learn more about people with different abilities
It made me want to learn more about people with disabilities
COMFORTABLE… I didn’t feel weird around them
I was excited and felt comfortable around them
I was excited and happy to be with them and it was really fun
I am used to being around kids with disabilities and I enjoy being around them
They were very nice and fun to be with
I didn’t care that they were different, they are not so different
I felt like there was no difference between me and my friend and we are all kids and the same
It looked like the kids were happy to see us
It was so much fun to work with the kids!
It was interesting to meet people who are different and have different needs
They were really smart and aware
I know more about what it is like for them
The girl I was assigned to was the sweetest little girl
I didn’t think they were so different. They just have a disability
I just felt comfortable. They were so nice and friendly and there was no problem
WHAT WE CAN DO ... When there is someone sitting on the side go over to the person and include her
When someone popular goes over to a girl who is left out, it becomes the “in” thing to do
If you are laughing with someone make sure you are both feeling the same way
“Just as their faces are different, so are their opinions different”
[Mishna Brachot 58:72]
B’More Inclusive is a project of the Louis D. and Morton J. Macks center for Jewish Education. This Sunday CJE has a DoMore Inclusive opportunity. Teenagers of all abilities, including those who have a physical or learning difference, are invited to create a graffiti style mural for the JCC called TEEN SKETCH.
Email yzelinger@cjebaltimore.org for more info!