kids

[alissa]

Does anyone have a good way of explaining to small kids (4-5 ish) about sci and wheelchairs, etc...?

[cheesecake]

send me an email address and I can send you some very good child friendly resources.A good book that is downloadable is Speedway Sam from UAB. You can locate it at www.spinalcord.uab.edu (http://www.spinalcord.uab.edu) in the publication section

"Don't worry about the world coming to an end today.
It's already tomorrow in Australia!"----- Charles Schultz

[1 Fine Spine RN]

During my last year of nursing school I brought my kids to the physical therapy dept and they had a tour. They got into the chairs and were allowed to try to get them to move around. Then later I took them to the nursing lab and they each got into a hoyer lift and got a ride up and down and an explanation of how it could be used to help someone be moved. Like Cheesecake said there are great books out there, and a few toys as well. I still think the best lesson is one given by the person in the chair...kids are amazing, especially at the age you are asking about...they are little sponges and very open minded. Good Luck with your teaching! My kids were instantly put at ease by simply spending time with a few people who are in wheelchairs. I think that personal contact is the best teacher sometime.

Mary

Mary

...and she lived happily ever after...

[~Patrick~]

Keep it simple. People forget the little ones have simple minds and if it takes longer than 15 seconds they are bored. My ten year old understands about spinal cords and all but my eight year old doesn't have a clue, but thats ok with me. I work pt at a YMCA. They have a preschool class that has adopted me. The one four year old asks me at least once a week if my legs are working today. Its cool to hear them explain to their mom and dads that Mr.Pat hurt his back and now his legs dont work can we go to Burger King?.

Don't compromise yourself. You are all you've got
..........Janis Joplin

[krajaxa]

Kids...

We had a 5 year old nephew at the time of hubby's accident. We just told him that uncle's legs don't work anymore and that's why he has to use the wheelchair. He got to try it a few times,and whenever the kids (especially the little ones 1-6) come over, they are allowed to take a ride up and down the stairs on the stairglide. I think breaking the barrier by letting them see there is a way to get around even without the use of legs is a first big step.
By the way, the 5-year-old had a hernia surgery about a year ago and he wouldn't let the nurses to wheel him out the hospital and did it all by himself because "he knows how his uncle rides his chair!" http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/smile.gif