Reflection #1

I started the day of a bit giddy and very light and happy. By the end of the day, I was feeling a sadness from deep within. There has been so much that has happened this year, mostly not in a good way. Last night was a good night though. I began to prepare a visual journal and collage materials for a few projects. It has been a long time since I have felt the creative spirit. I have always loved Soul Cards, and I feel these will help my Muse wake from her fitful slumber.

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Comment by Deborah Koff-Chapin on August 22, 2009 at 6:41pm: Jill, I wish you blessings and creative inspiration. You might find SoulCards and Touch Drawing to be useful in your work with teens and autistic people. there is a story on the website, in Touch Drawing Stories, about TD's accessibility and appeal to an autistic young man. I have heard other stories of how powerfu it has been in similar settngs. But enjoy it all for YOUSELF first. love, Deborah

Comment by Jill Lopes on August 20, 2009 at 7:19pm: Reflection #2

I work at a private school in Ellsworth, ME, who has been dealing mostly with emotional/behavioral teenagers needing school while they receive counseling, live on campus, etc. This school also started an autistic program two years ago. I was fortunate enough to work with one of the best teachers there with Asperberger's Syndrome (on the lighter end of the autistic spectrum). However, she resigned at the beginning of the summer due to the direction the school was headed and lack of support. Over the past two days, but particularly today, it seems like everything has gone "wild." We keep getting told that that the State of Maine due to budget kids will be cutting out services and providing for only the most needy. Many severely autistic children who have seen coming in are not toilet trained and are abusive to themselves and their workers. Today, the girl I worked with for the last year was changed to another one-on-one. The principal told me I did not need to know who her new worker was. I felt our principal has looked down on the Ed Techs and forget that many of us have taught, have teaching licenses, and have Master's. The lack of respect and degradation is getting old and making me literally "sick to my stomach." I suppressed a lot of tears and rightous anger today.

I can't wait until I receive my Soul Cards and Deborah's book from Amazon. I need some personal expression time. Art is great for relieving the stress and connect to what is fundamental.

Basically, it was another severely stressful and sad day for many of us who found out our new placements.

Comment by Jill Lopes on August 20, 2009 at 7:00pm: Thank you for your blessing Angela. I definitely needed this message today. Sorry, about being slow to answer. We have a lot going on at the private school I work at. My path might soon take a different direction sooner than I thought. I am waiting for my Soul Cards to arrive. This weekend hope to spend time with and start my own creations.

Comment by Angela Raincatcher on August 17, 2009 at 12:34pm: Blessings on your journey and may your awakened Muse touch you lovingly, honestly, and deeply.