Yesterday we visited Handi-Capable Hands and met with the
lovely Elizabeth Farley who told us about the organization’s history and
mission. (And got us a phenomenal free lunch! Thanks, Elizabeth!) We talked about what a “sheltered workshop”
is and how Handi-Capable Hands is working to provide jobs and empower
individuals with disabilities. We helped
out with a recycling project that the associates were working on and packaged
some of Linda Proffitt’s product from The Global Peace Project, ‘Magic
Sprouts.’ We had a lot of fun getting to
know the associates and disassembling overstock DVDs and VHS tapes for
recycling.
(insert pictures of unwanted
One Direction concert DVDs here.)
After service, we took a nap. It was wonderful. We awoke to a scrumptious brinner (aka
breakfast for dinner) prepared by Meilin, Tarik, and Rushil: chocolate chip
pancakes, fresh fruit, bacon, and eggs. (Yum).
After dinner we headed out to the good ol’ YMCA for showers and
reconvened in the parlor for reflection around nine.
In reflection we talked about the ‘starfish model’ and some
critiques of this simplified ideal of community service. We also compared and contrasted the ways that
our different community partners work to serve the community of individuals
with disabilities and shared ‘highs and lows’ for the day. We discussed some of the many obstacles
individuals with disabilities face when trying to find employment and maintain
independence, and the constant conflict families and organizations face between
protecting these vulnerable individuals from the world and allowing them to
become more fully integrated with society.
It was a truly amazing day and a great way to celebrate my
20th birthday!
-Elizabeth (birthday girls #20)
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