Day 1 Gift: Games and puzzles for a disabled childrens school.

I feel very glad to have found this site! I've been reading peoples blogs and it's just the kind of place that I want to be a part of. Giving is a way of showing that there is hope in the future and that people matter. I would not have achieved what I have in my life if not for the kindness of strangers. I have often given anonymously, I was bought up on the verse 'don't let your right hand know what your left hand is doing'. I don't really share what I give but I feel that here I can share as I am amongst like minded friends who 'get it' and understand that what we get from giving is priceless.

Today I gathered up some educational games and books that my children (now 22 & 24!) used to have and I have donated them to a disabled school. I was very fortunate to meet a teacher from this school a few months ago and as part of my work with her I had to spend a few hours at the school. It was just an amazing experience! Children from age 5 -18 attend the school with a wide range of abilities and disabilities. They really need support as they need to have so much specialised equipment for the kids.

One room that I went into had five beds and the class consists of five bedridden students. The teacher has the entire roof of the classroom covered in posters, mobiles, lesson, worksheets. I felt really emotional to see the effort she put in to teaching these students who are confined to bed and unable to do things independently. I felt so grateful for my own healthy kids who grew up happily and healthily.

So I packed up all the toys and books and puzzles and there is quite a few! My gift on day one just made me feel very grateful for all the happy memories I have of my kids when they were children playing with those toys. We even a few games for old times sake this morning and had a lot of laughs!

"If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the
companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering
with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in."
Rachel Carlsen