Adaptation

Authors Note: In November, we had a filmmaker spend three days with us to interview staff, parents, and kids, as well as capture our everyday moments. He recently sent me rough drafts of four short videos that he had created with some of the footage. One is entitled "Why". That one hit me hard - right in the tear-jerking place, and that is where this particular blog post came from.

You know that satisfying emotion - the one you feel when you realize that someone "gets" you?  Is there a better feeling in this world - when you know that you can be yourself with that person - no filters, no actor's masks, or mental gymnastics required?

Asking someone to adapt themselves to conform - is asking them to change their inherent being because we can't manage them the way they are.  Kids know when they don't "fit" in.  And their takeaway is that they are broken in some fundamental way.  

It is my contention that every child should experience affirmation every single day.  Every kid deserves to be surrounded by people who accept them on every level and where no one will try to change them to fit into the environment (or society).   

Rather than reforming the essence of any child, I believe that we should alter the environment, along with our own biases.   

This includes everything, from medical diagnoses to identity.  For example, children with ADHD need an environment that supports their momentum and staggering creativity fueled by wild curiosity.  It is no different than adapting the room for a wheelchair, walker, or other physical handicap support.  And, when a child tells you their personal pronouns and the name they prefer - use them!  No snide remarks, eye rolls, or arguments are required (or even permitted).  

Wait!  I am not telling you to stop supporting children to improve their skill levels and learn new tasks.  However, I am saying that we can not take it on, as a task, with the intention of changing them to suit our (or society's) needs or expectations.  

All children deserve to be celebrated. Not for what they can or can not do, but for who they are - deep inside.  When kids feel like they are OK, as they are, self-assurance becomes their default mode.  And when people feel content, they are more likely to take on new challenges and look at the world as a place to explore all the possibilities.

This, in a nutshell, is why Deep Root Center exists. 

DRC News

We are happy to say that eight St. Lawrence University students will be volunteering again this semester through the Community Based Learning Program.  They will offer classes and activities through our virtual learning portal on the Discord App. You can find our schedule here.  Keep in mind that it will be updated regularly over the next week as we create sessions for the students that fit within their preferences and weekly calendars.

DRC accepts new student members throughout the year.  If you are interested in joining our community, please get in touch.

This is our "Did You Know" series, on Social Media, from this past week.