October 2018

Welcome to Sibshops October 2018.

Our Sibshoppers created some awesomely fun Cursive Skeletons. 

 It took a lot of cutting and pasting and some grownup help in writing their names in cursive and the skeletons turned out awesome.  You don't know exactly what you are going to get until you open up the paper.

 Can you tell what names are reflected in the skeletons below? I'll let you try and figure it out! In no particular order the names are Jaxon, Olivia and Addy.

 We were super lucky to have Debbie from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind come to present to our Sibshoppers.  We were grateful for her expertise in deaf blindess.  She led our Sibshoppers through a simulation so they could experience what it might feel like to have some measure of deafness and blindness.

 Each Sibshopper had the opportunity to both lead someone through the simulation and to experience deaf blindness.

 Just navigating the hallways and doorways can be tricky. 

 Our Sibshoppers expressed their frustration about not knowing what was expected of them, especially in these "play" tasks that they couldn't see.  Many of them were able to empathize with their siblings who might get angry, confused, or withdrawn when they don't understand what is expected of them. 

 There can definitely be an uncomfortable feeling of isolation during the simulation. We depend so much on our sense of sight and hearing.  Some Sibshoppers felt like their other senses--especially touch-were heightened during the simulation.

 This Sibshopper is showing some joy as he figured out what it was he was playing with!  He did have prior experience with his sight to figure this out. 

 The simulation was a good experience for all our Sibshoppers.  They were sometimes intrigued, confused, uncomfortable and successful as they engaged in the activities.  It is our hope that they can better understand how their sibs may feel in their environment with their own unique special needs.We hope they learned some strategies on how they can approach and help their siblings and others with special needs.

 After our simulation we played a fun new game we called "Marshmallow Battleship."  It is a human version where marshmallows are thrown over the barrier in an attempt to "sink" the human battleships!  Teams take turns tossing large marshallows over the barrier and if the marshmallow lands on any part of your body then you are sunk!  First team to sink all the other teams ships comes out victorious!

 After lunch we played a game of "Sightless Sculpture."  We started by talking about famous artists and musicians with special needs.  We discussed Beethoven, Stevie Wonder and others. It is amazing what we can do!  Our brains are amazing.  The Sibshoppers then broke into groups of three where one person assumed a statuesque position, another was a blob of clay and the final member was a blind sculptor.  Their job was to "mold" their blob of clay into the same statuesque position being held by their group member. It is no so easy a task when you can't use the benefit of your sight!