Imagine being an elementary school student, and your class planned an overnight camping trip. You feel excited! But, then you remember about your disability and realize that camping would be impossible. Luckily, you have a teacher that will make it possible just for you.
Teachers remain on the frontlines to make inclusion possible. Accepting no isn’t in their vocabulary to help the students. Teachers research everything they possibly can to figure out a way to include everyone.
Maggie Vazquez is a ten year old girl with cerebral palsy whose class planned an overnight camping trip. She also has an amazing teacher that found a way to include her.
Wardenaar is an elementary school teacher who teaches Vazquez. When the overnight camping trip arose, Wardenaar knew that all the children needed to go. However, a manual wheelchair or a walker would not suffice in the camping environment. The research began by Wardenaar searching for suitable equipment to take Vazquez with the class. She spent hours researching and reaching out to others for advice using social media.
Renting a pony had been considered, but ponies aren’t acceptable on paths for pedestrians. She didn’t think it would be a good example if she broke the law in front of her class. Wardenaar asked big brand outdoor companies for assistance. Then, she heard from a man named Greg who worked for REI. He asked her to meet him at an REI in Chicago.
Both searched to find something suitable. A few weeks later, she received an email from Greg suggesting that she use something called “Free Loader.” The Free Loader is a larger backpack specifically designed to carry extra weight on someone’s back while they go camping or hiking. As it turned out, the Free Loader is exactly what she choose to use!
Despite the Free Loader not being all too comfortable for Vazquez, she used it for the camping trip. Vazquez had an excellent time seeing things in nature like butterflies, trees, foot prints from animals, birds and experienced nature. She enjoys singing, and she sang as her teacher hiked with her on the back. Vazquez created an original song about camping and would sing it on the way.
Her mother felt thankful to the teacher for working so diligently to find the right equipment. No one has ever said that inclusion would always be easy or possible. Sometimes it takes that extra special push to make something work. But any effort to make include children together is well worth the work and effort. Thanks to teachers like Wardenaar, children with disabilities have the opportunity to do activities just like they should – with everyone else. Make sure you thank these teachers, therapists, para professionals and support services for all of their efforts.
originally published on cerebral palsy news today
