It was a bit of a challenge getting to Minnesota – all that was going on with the truck – but it’s been a great two days in Burnsville, MN. After getting settled into the hotel and renting a car, I had some activities that I knew would be incredibly gratifying.
Yesterday, I spent some time with the therapists at The Courage Center – “a Minnesota-based non-profit rehabilitation and resource center that empowers people with disabilities to realize their full potential in every aspect of life.” I have such a passion for sharing with therapists new ways they can motivate their clients to get involved in their treatment. And most of the clients here are children – and what child doesn’t love magic? We had a great time learning how simple magic tricks can be used to help kids develop skills. One of the therapists shared this comment with me via email:
Kevin’s passion for his trade and his clients! He is so full of benevolence; he made me laugh and cry. I know I sound like I am writing a movie review in the newspaper…but honestly he made an impact in my life. I feel so blessed to have been able to meet Kevin and I look forward to utilizing magic in my future Occupational Therapy sessions.
This morning started off in Minnetonka at Scenic Heights Elementary school working with two group of special education students. Dr. Kathy Johnson from Saint Cloud State University (SCSU) met me there. Kathy’s students at SCSU were a big part of the international research that was done with the Hocus Focus project. She has been working with this school for several years with the Chinese immerse program sponsored by SCSU. Kathy and I first met at RIGA 2010 in Latvia and then again at the East Asian International Conference on Teacher Education Research in Hong Kong. She made the arrangements for me to work today with the students at Scenic Heights – and they were fantastic!
After lunch, we drove over to Lionsgate Academy – a charter school for 7th-12th grade students on the autism spectrum. When we arrived, the students were very excited about watching some magic. When they discovered that they were going to LEARN some magic, they got even more excited! Watching them learn and few tricks was inspiring; but when each one of them stepped to the front of the room to perform the trick and share their story, that was priceless! Performing magic has a way of removing barriers and allows students to open up and be themselves – no fear, no judgement, only support and applause from their peers. They were all so eager to get up there and perform…and that’s really an amazing feat for anyone on the autism spectrum as social skills are one of their biggest weaknesses. Not today – these kids were performers!
Tomorrow is the show at the Burnsville Performing Arts Center – 7:30pm. It’s a beautiful venue – and it should be a fun show!