And in conclusion...

Last Tuesday was the 7th annual Speech Contest at work.  I am not sure you have lived until you see a group of emotionally disturbed children, many of whom also have significant cognitive delays, get up in front of a group and give speeches based on what is important to them.  Whether it is family, humor, self-reflection, or a word of thanks, these kids poured their hearts into these speeches.  On any given day, our kids cannot handle frustration, struggle to connect with others, and almost never seem to be able to find the words to explain their inner processes.  Some might say the Speech Contest was an exception.  I look at it a bit differently.  I think times like the Speech Contest just give the kids the opportunity to show off the skills they already possess, but are too often hiding under a pile of misguided thoughts and defense mechanisms.

Any given day at work children can be seen yelling, running around, hitting, cursing, etc.  We have become somewhat desensitized to it.  We even expect it.  What we don't expect is for them to dedicate themselves to something productive and to make a success of themselves.  But we should.  And we should even more after Tuesday.  Those kids have done it already.  Not only did they put their hearts into writing and speaking in order to share their thoughts with all of us, they sat respectfully while other children did so as well.  Every year people are surprised by this behavior.  I think it is because we all forget that they are kids, that they have important things to say, that they are all brilliant in their own ways.  Under all of those attachment injuries and abuse scars, they are just aching to be heard.

So, it is not surprising that they shine when we are listening.  They rise to the occasion.  I just love to watch it happen!  My heartstrings were pulled on several times.  What a great feeling!  These kids have an impact on me.  Possibly a larger one then I have on them most days.

Before I sign off for the night, I just have to tell you about an even more hidden treasure of the Speech Contest.  It happened while the judges were deliberating.  The adults were still there, but they were not providing directives or handing out expectations.  And what were the kids doing?  They were being kids.  They were rushing back and forth to make connections with those in the room who are important to them.  They were messing around with the microphone.  I found such a great sense of happiness in that moment.  Watching them misbehave just a little.  Were they just pretending to know the limits?  I don't think so.

And in conclusion (if I may borrow that phrase from one of the brilliant speeches of that day)...maybe, just maybe, when we treat them like kids, they act like them.