Here Comes the Sun!

It is finally sunny.  It is has been so gray and dreary for awhile.  I didn't think I'd ever see the sun again.

Yesterday, the weather was positively awful.  The day began with rain and sleet which later changed over to snow. The streets, sidewalks and market were slushy and dirty. I did not visit the market; it was much too messy.

Yesterday afternoon I met an Iraqi university student at McDonalds who had a lot to say and spoke very fast in heavily accented English.  He was a very friendly young man who had much to say about our government and the situation in Iraq from the perspective of someone who's country has been occupied by an invading army and who is affected in a very personal way.  For instance, his father lives in fear of being killed by terrorists.   Consequently, he is highly disappointed by the policies of the present U.S. government from a strictly practical and personal standpoint, and despite his youth (probably early to mid-twenties), practically worships Ronald Reagan.  His strong feelings are understandable, but he is also very careful to separate his criticisms of the U.S. government from his love of the American people.  He enjoys making friends with people from all cultures and backgrounds. He especially likes to befriend Americans and loves American culture and music.  He has a particular fondness for John Denver, especially his song "Country Roads."  

I met with Dr. Olga Krsek yesterday.  It seems Ukrainian educators have a highly pathological view of deaf and hard of hearing  students.  I will be working with two students who aspire to be psychiatrists, and they will be studying two groups of hard of hearing students from a psychiatric perspective.  Children with even mild to moderate hearing loss are not educated in inclusive schools, but in “special schools.”  These children are isolated from the general school population, and apparently, according to Olga, are not comfortable interacting with others outside the special school environment.  She explained that they do not like going out in public.  Furthermore, children with hearing loss, including those with mild losses are not encouraged to attend college after high school.  Few efforts are made to prepare these youth for higher education, and I am told parents prefer to keep their children at home rather than send them to universities to further their education.

We are talking about children with sensory disabilities and normal cognitive function who are isolated.  I can’t begin to imagine what the situation is like for students with significant cognitive disabilities.   I have a lot of work ahead of me.   

Olga wants me to find pen-pals for the Ukrainian high school students.  I think I might be able to do that.