THIS IS "ONE STUDENT'S STORY" IN  "THE PATH PROGRAM"

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When I think about Johnny's experience at the Helen Keller National Center, one of the strongest memories I have is of Johnny's arrival there. After a long trip by car from Wisconsin, we arrived on a Sunday evening, about 5:00. Johnny became upset when we entered the Peter Salmon Residence Building. I don't know how he knew, but Johnny did seem to understand that there was a significant change happening in his life and he was frightened. As he expressed his fears by crying and hitting himself, a PATH staff member immediately came to his aid, trying to calm his fears without any hesitation. Throughout Johnny's stay at HKNC, I witnessed situations like this time and again, as dedicated staff members went the extra mile in caring for their students.

To understand Johnny's anxiety, a glimpse of his past is needed. When I first saw Johnny, he was tied to a bed in a large institution in Texas. At 5'4" and twenty years of age, totally blind and totally deaf, he weighted only 81 lbs. He was frightened of everyone and miserable. At least a few months of intensive intervention passed before he was able to reach out and trust. Eventually, I adopted Johnny and gave him a home. As you can guess, leaving his home and returning to an institution, even a great one such as HKNC, was profoundly difficult. Yet, I believed that this had to happen because it was apparent that Johnny had the potential to learn so much.

After interviews with the HKNC Regional Representatives in Kansas and Wisconsin, as well as the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation, all agreed that Johnny would be appropriate for the PATH program. A long waiting period followed and finally the call came, letting us know that Johnny's name was finally at the top of the list for PATH. His chance of a lifetime was beginning.

I know that Johnny, in many ways, was a difficult student. During the crucial time period that he should have been learning how to communicate, he was literally tied up and ignored. Time and again, I witnessed both the direct care and administrative staff members rise to the challenges he presented as they custom-tailored a program to meet his needs. Communication, vocational, social, self-help, health and recreational areas were all covered as Johnny's total well-being were considered.

As I visited New York monthly to maintain contact with Johnny during his stay there, I began to notice some changes in him. Perhaps the biggest change for Johnny was that he began to trust others. More than this, he began to interact with the Helen Keller staff in ways that showed genuine affection. As I saw the staff treat Johnny with concern and affection, I saw Johnny respond to this in kind. That's the thing about the Helen Keller/ PATH experience! Skills are taught in such a caring way that learning becomes a natural, unforced outcome of experience. It's like, "I'm going to be so kind to you that you aren't even going to realize that I'm challenging you to learn."

I remember leaving the Helen Keller Center for the first time, knowing that Johnny was a long way from home without any way of letting him know that I would be back and that his stay there would not be permanent. How frightened he was because he didn't understand what was happening to him! It was very difficult for me to walk away. Yet, I knew that this had to happen so that he could begin to learn in ways that would connect him with his world, ways that would give him skills and the choices that become available from having these skills. The staff of HKNC possess the specialized skills needed to teach so uniquely. More than this, their caring ways with those who inhabit a dark and silent world make learning possible.

After leaving the first time, I was called and told that extra staff would be staying overnight to help calm Johnny's fears. Throughout his stay, I was called many times, both with questions about Johnny and reports of his progress. I also called many times and was always treated with respect as I checked in to see how the little guy was doing. As it was difficult for Johnny to trust, it was also difficult for me to trust others with his care. Yet, trust became easy for both of us because of the kindness and genuine concern experienced there.

Johnny is back at home in Wisconsin now. He has a job stuffing envelopes for two to three hours a day and he also goes swimming every day. His level of independence is noticeably different as he tries to help himself, instead of retreating to a dark and silent world. He lets others help him without panicking now. Such a difference!

There are times now when I hear Johnny shriek loudly. I quickly look around to see what is wrong and find a big smile on his face. I assure those around him that the sound he is making is one borne of happiness. This didn't happen before Johnny attended PATH. Perhaps this is his way of saying, "Thank you!" The good people of the Helen Keller National Center and the Wisconsin Department of Vocational Rehabilitation are part of his smile now. And such a smile it is!

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For more information about programs at the Center, contact:

Information Services

E-mail: hkncinfo@hknc.org

Phone: (516) 944-8900 Ext. 253 (Voice/TTY)

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