[acb-hsp] ice breakers and topics for facilitatingsomeadjustmentto vision loss groups

[Lisa Gorden-Cushman]

I am going to try doing the "what did you do before vision loss".  I think that will help get people going.

Thanks
Lisa



Sent from my iPhone

On Feb 4, 2013, at 1:50 PM, "Linda Samulski" <lsamulski at gddca.org> wrote:

> Hello:
> When I was  the transition counselor at the Center for the Blind in San
> Diego, I ran peer support groups all of the time. I really enjoyed it.
> 
> I would always try to size up the groups a little before  starting by
> introducing myself, and figuring out whether the group was more
> introverted or extroverted.
> Sometimes if I felt the group was progressive, I would have them
> introduce the people who were sitting beside them. They were given about
> twenty minutes or so to get to know their partner beside them.    One of
> the first questions I would ask them is "what did they do before going
> on   this journey  of vision loss. What kind of work, or hobbies did
> they enjoy?  How might they re-adapt that activity so they could
> continue to do it or something similar, or what would they like to learn
> that is  different
> 
> I would give them an assignment that they would have to tell the group
> about a movie they listened to, or a book or news report. For those who
> didn't really want to talk, I would ask simple and gentle  open ended
> questions.
> Of course, they always enjoyed talking about themselves, and some of
> them would come to the blindness part and then get lost or depressed,
> but we always ended on a positive note with hope
> 
> Over the next few group sessions, they all had to come up with a
> project, it could be going shopping visiting an exercise program, or
> something to help the center, or whatever they chose. They had to get
> outside themselves and give back somewhere. Ultimately, they all had to
> come with their own personal project, or goals.  Some because they were
> chronically ill, or too disabled, might come up with reading a book a
> month, or calling someone every day to encourage them.
> Others came up with steps for a plan to either go to work, or volunteer,
> go to school, or some recreational program they could transition to.
> Just thought I'd share as this was such a fun time for me to watch
> people grow and adjust to their blindness.
> 
> Regards, 
> 
> 
> Linda Samulski
> 
> Outreach and Student Services Coordinator
> 
> 
> 
> 
> PO Box 1692, Palm Springs, CA 92263
> Phone: 760.329.6257 - Fax: 760.329.2866
> 
> 
> Mission Statement:  Guide Dogs of the Desert improves the lives of the
> blind by creating opportunities 
> for life-changing independence, and by conducting community and outreach
> programs.
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org [mailto:acb-hsp-bounces at acb.org] On Behalf
> Of peter altschul
> Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2013 10:57 AM
> To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
> Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ice breakers and topics for
> facilitatingsomeadjustmentto vision loss groups
> 
> Hi:
> 
> For what it's worth, I hate icebreakers unless they are directly 
> related to the work being done.
> 
> I am also not a fan of setting time limits, although they are 
> sometimes necessary.  Generally, if people believe they have some 
> control about what they're learning, complaining decreases - 
> amazing how this works.
> 
> Best, Peter
> 
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