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Able-Bodied Students Get Feel For Disabled Life

Robinson Elementary students encounter simulated vision and physical challenges to gain greater understanding.

Article submitted by Teri Maihen

With the goal of showing able-bodied students what it's like to live with a disability or life challenge, Robinson Elementary students got the lesson of a lifetime.

The school's PTA, with the help of Santa Margarita Catholic High School student volunteers, hosted Ability Awareness Day on Jan. 28.

The effort showed local fifth- and sixth-graders what it's like to live with a disability or life challenge, and helped them gain a greater understanding of the abilities we all share, as well as the determination it takes to overcome physical limitations some people live with every day.

Stations were set up to demonstrate what it is like to be challenged with vision, hearing, and fine/gross motor skills. Students also learned about and were inspired by famous people who had disabilities.

The idea was to have students walk away understanding that things they take for granted—things they do on a daily basis and don't think about—can be difficult for others.

This was also a kickoff for the school to celebrate Robinson students who will be athletes at the Special Olympics on March 8 at Santa Margarita Catholic High.

Togo's of Rancho Santa Margarita donated lunch for the volunteers.

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Just a short thought to get the word out quickly about anything in your neighborhood.
Share something with your neighbors. Write a new post... What's up? Make an announcement, speak your mind, or sell something
Mike T May 17, 2013 at 04:36 pm
I'm still waiting for the teachers to produce a receipt for purchases made with MY money.Read More Asking/requiring donations of $20-25.00 a head in a 32 kid classroom is a nice $800.00 potential windfall of which I see nothing of where that $$ is spent.
Martin Henderson (Editor) May 15, 2013 at 05:00 pm
Tears in people's eyes watching the reenactment and listing to the speaker. Great program to deliverRead More a sobering message: Don't drink and drive.
Hal Mattson May 20, 2013 at 11:54 am
On behalf of the Mission Viejo / Saddleback Valley Elks Lodge No. 2444, thanks for the recognitionRead More comment.
Martin Henderson (Editor) May 15, 2013 at 02:04 am
Thank you, Elks, on behalf of everyone in the community. When I was in high school, I relied onRead More scholarships such as this to help out. Of course, money went a lot further back then.