[ Contents | Search | Next | Previous | Up ]
From: Martin Jumbam
Date: 12 Oct 2004
Time: 04:28:09 -0500
Remote Name: 134.146.0.12
Michelle, when I first met Blaise and realized what his problem was, my initial reaction was a feeling of inadequacy. I wondered how I was going to handle him. I could understand my parish priest, who was only too happy to get him out of his hands into mine. In fact, for a moment I even looked longignly at my mobile phone, wondering if I shouldn't give Joe Lukong (SCAC Coordinator) a shout for help; but, thank God, that feeling lasted just a brief moment. I knew I had to deal with the situation myself, the best way I could. I saw before me a young man who needed reassurance. He needed to know that someone thought he was worth something. He had probably been used to being laughed at or mocked at because he couldn't express himself clearly. And I knew I had to act differently, and that is when the thought of resorting to the knowledge gleaned from listening courses I had taken years before came to mind. When I put my hand on his shoulder and he looked up at me, I had a smile on my face, while nodding my head to encourage him to talk; and it worked! I also recalled that in one of the interviews I had with Joe, I asked what advice he gave the teacher of a child with a stammer, and he advised, among other things, not to try to finish the child's sentences for them, but rather to encourage them to continue to talk. And that is what I did with Blaise, and it worked beautifully! From the taciturn, shy and withdrawn boy I first met, Blaise became quite open with me and talked freely, especially with my boys. He needed just an environment of trust and understanding to express himself well. I'm happy my boys and I did provide him with an opportunity to express himself well without feeling that someone was judging him negatively.