[acb-hsp] ice breakers andtopicsforfacilitatingsomeadjustmentto vision loss groups

Tue Feb 12 15:41:23 EST 2013

Hi.  For groupy type folks, groups are awesome.  For non-groupy types, they 
can be the pits, or, sometimes, helpful.  <LOL>
I do groups only because its a paycheck now.  <LOL>!
Enjoy!

Jessie Rayl
thedogmom63 at frontier.com
www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
www.pathtogrowth.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Linda Samulski" <lsamulski at gddca.org>
To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals" <acb-hsp at acb.org>
Sent: Tuesday, February 12, 2013 2:38 PM
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ice breakers andtopicsforfacilitatingsomeadjustmentto 
vision loss groups

Hi Jessie

Sorry it's taken me so long to respond.

I loved working with community  transition groups.

There were so many activities that everyone could participate in, and it
didn't matter whether someone was very educated and high-functioning or
not.

Everyone could have a better sense of becoming more independent if they
wanted, for for those who really didn't care or want to, towards the end
of the class, they had more of a desire to participate.

When I went to college, we would break up in to groups and do the
nonprofit organizational  exercise role playing different stakeholders

I learned so many things that I could adapt for my community transition
classes and I thoroughly loved it..

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 J.Rayl
Sent: Tuesday, February 05, 2013 8:36 AM
To: Discussion list for ACB human service professionals
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ice breakers and
topicsforfacilitatingsomeadjustmentto vision loss groups

Hi Linda,  Thank you for sharing.  I really like your ideas.  I attended
a
group where we were asked to introduce the person beside us and it was
really a cool experience which was, actually, a lasting one through the
entire program--it was a workshop.  What happened was that each time we
entered the session--morning, afternoon--throughout the entire several
days
there, we had to do this, and so we could not sit beside anyone we knew
directly or had sat beside previously.  And, consequently, people got to

know, and were forced to include, others and they kept right on doing so

throughout the entire week.  It was just way cool.  And fun, and we got
to
really know each other.  I still have lasting friends and connections
from
that time--and its really the only workshop that I ever have.
Another thing that I've done is, when people get into complaining
bitterly
about something like rehabilitation services or something, is get them
to
design a program, like their ideal program.  The group roleplays the
program
from the ground up.  Someone is the director, the assistant, the
secretary--everyone takes a role, including clients.  Its not long
before
they get a real good idea of just how difficult it really is to have or
run
an effective program and they gain a somewhat better appreciation of
whatever services they do get plus begin to take a more proactive role
in
the services they can get versus this other complacent role.
Now, I realize that is more therapeutic, possibly, but its also support
in a
way because they also do gain support--and, its fun, too.

There is a huge list of eye conditions on the AFB website and our group
was
totally intrigued by that.  AFB has a lot of other little handouts and
suggestions for group discussion as well--like what to tell your
employer
when you are losing your vision, voocoos of tips of how to do all kinds
of
stuff, etc.

Jessie Rayl
thedogmom63 at frontier.com
www.facebook.com/Eaglewings10
www.pathtogrowth.org

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Linda Samulski" <lsamulski at gddca.org>
To: "Discussion list for ACB human service professionals"
<acb-hsp at acb.org>
Sent: Monday, February 04, 2013 4:50 PM
Subject: Re: [acb-hsp] ice breakers and topics
forfacilitatingsomeadjustmentto vision loss groups

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

_______________________________________________
acb-hsp mailing list
acb-hsp at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-hsp
_______________________________________________
acb-hsp mailing list
acb-hsp at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-hsp

_______________________________________________
acb-hsp mailing list
acb-hsp at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-hsp
_______________________________________________
acb-hsp mailing list
acb-hsp at acb.org
http://www.acb.org/mailman/listinfo/acb-hsp 