Multicultural Aware Choices
Situation number three in Connecting Across Cultures by Pamela A. Hays gives the example of an older man getting on an elevator at the same time as a woman in a wheelchair. As the woman was trying to enter the elevator, the man offered to help her and reached towards the woman's wheelchair without her consent. The woman reacted towards the man's actions by telling him not to touch her wheelchair. The man believed that the woman was being impolite.
Good intentions do not always translate into multicultural aware choices. The way that the man assumed that the woman in the wheelchair needed help had good intentions behind it but, was not the right decision. The woman took offense to this due to the man believing that because the woman has a disability she needs help. Also, one must remember that the wheelchair belongs to the woman, you would not want someone touching something that is very important to you without your permission.
This could be related to my internship because I should never assume that one of the students need help. I should offer assistance if I believe that they need it but, respect their wishes if they refuse my help. I should not feel offended if they choose to do so. I should realize that they want to be independent and do things on their own. Personally, I love seeing the students that initiative and do things on their own without any help. I have experienced this at the Bridge Teen Center last week. I got the privilege of going with a group of students to a senior living community to play games with the residents. One of the girls, who is very shy, told me she was forced to go to this program by her mother and would not be participating much. This same girl ended up being one of the biggest leaders of the group. She taught a group of both students and residents a new game that they ended up playing the entire time we were there. I have never been more proud of a student at the Bridge than at that moment
Good intentions do not always translate into multicultural aware choices. The way that the man assumed that the woman in the wheelchair needed help had good intentions behind it but, was not the right decision. The woman took offense to this due to the man believing that because the woman has a disability she needs help. Also, one must remember that the wheelchair belongs to the woman, you would not want someone touching something that is very important to you without your permission.
This could be related to my internship because I should never assume that one of the students need help. I should offer assistance if I believe that they need it but, respect their wishes if they refuse my help. I should not feel offended if they choose to do so. I should realize that they want to be independent and do things on their own. Personally, I love seeing the students that initiative and do things on their own without any help. I have experienced this at the Bridge Teen Center last week. I got the privilege of going with a group of students to a senior living community to play games with the residents. One of the girls, who is very shy, told me she was forced to go to this program by her mother and would not be participating much. This same girl ended up being one of the biggest leaders of the group. She taught a group of both students and residents a new game that they ended up playing the entire time we were there. I have never been more proud of a student at the Bridge than at that moment
Stefany,
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree with your post completely. Something that you wrote that really resonated with me was when you said just because someone has a disability, it doesn't mean that she needs (or desires) help. That is so true. Something that I have learned when working with individuals with disabilities is how important is to encourage that individual to autonomy and dignity. I also liked how you mentioned that when working with your students, how you said it is important to respect their choice of both being independent and (or) seeking help from the teachers. I am so happy to hear about the good experience you and your group at the assisted living home. That makes my heart so happy, as I have worked at a similar place over the summers. i bet the residents lOVED it :)
Stefany,
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your time so far at the Bridge Teen Center! What a wonderful story about your shy student. Clearly, she has broken out of her shell, and perhaps, had you intervened prematurely, she would not have done so as quickly. You gave her the opportunity to grow on her own, just as we should give to the handicapable community. Although helping them tie their shoes or zip up their jacket would shorten the process, it would not give them or us the same gratification of them doing it on their own. I hope you and your students continue to grow and flourish during your internship.