Agency Overview
The branch of the Stevens Center at 253 Penrose is Carlisle's drop-in psychological and social rehabilitation center. The Center is open 8-3:30 Monday through Friday, and closed on the weekends. The Stevens Foundation oversees the many different Stevens Centers.
Mission:
The mission of the Stevens Foundation is to provide persons with cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities access to programs and services that will help them attain their life goals. It is also their mission to assist family, friends and the community in their efforts to ensure full participation and success in all aspects of life for persons with disabilities. (Stevens Foundation Website)
Carlisle's Stevens Center hopes to empower its members by providing a healthy and comfortable enviornment for recreation purposes, to learn independence, to gain employment, and in general, to have a normal life. The members themselves run the day to day operations of the building, while the administrator oversees all management aspects. There is a hot lunch offered three days a week, an organized trip, occasional parties, outings or in-house movies. The members decide the menu for the lunches, buy and prepare all the food, clean the kitchen and divide the daily chores between themselves each day. There are also opportunities to work as janitorial staff, in the horticulture room, preparing meals and for the Warmline.
The central mission can be summed up in three words: empowerment, confidence, and flexibility. Many of these members have been told that they are worthless, and the mission here is to try to get them to take back their life. The director of this program, Stephanie, wants to give the members a level of flexibility, a chance to find values that perhaps had been lost within themselves, and feel empowered with the belief that they are just as normal as everyone is. The key point here being...these members are just like the rest of us, except they have different methods of coping. Thus, they want to teach these methods of coping in a way that can empower each member.
(Edited by Lauren Porter 4/12)
History:
The history of how the Steven's Center came about is more of a developmental process than an idea. They first started out on Louther Street, known as the Sadler clinic. They were really small and their main focus was social rehabilatation within the group. It was more of a "drop in" and "hangout" center in the beginning. The individuals that are a part of this group are called "members," and it was a place for them to expand socially and learn how to interact in different situations. However, as influential as this might be, the facilatators realized that they needed more of an emphasis on psychological rehabilitation. With the increasing amounts of technology, there is a "new wave" of how to treat disabilities that is being developed. First and foremost, there is the medical model, which incorporates how Doctors and medical figures label a patient as "sick," and that they ultimately know what is best for the patient. Although seeing a doctor and getting medicine is vitally important to your health, there is also another aspect of personal rehabilitation that needs to be accounted for. This is called the recovery model. This type of model portrays how the individual makes their own decisions, and it primarily revolves around the fact of pursuing your individuality -- doing what is best for you. Because of this type of modeling, the Steven's group needed to expand, and that is when they moved to the office near Walmart. The main focus at this clinic is to take back that level of functioning that was stripped away from these members; it is more of a psychological rehabilitation and they learn how to do what is in their best interest moreso than listening to what all the doctors tell them.
Services:
There are an array of different services provided by the Steven's Group. The first is obviously social rehabilitation, where they learn to build relationships, and improve their social skills. The second service is psychological rehabilitation, where they learn to rebuild their own life based on their own decisions. Also, they have a consumer run hotline service, called the "Warmline," for positive reinforcement. A member who may need someone to listen to their problems or to help them finish their day could call this number for support. Finally there are numerous employement opportunities within the Steven's Group. Many of the members here have not had a job in 20 years, so opportunities for empolyment include, cooking, cleaning, running errands, etc. If you are empolyed by the Steven's Group, you are called a "Member-Employee." The employment opportunities serve to slowly incorporate them back into the "normal" life they once had. Also, many workshops are provided for purposes of recovery. These workshops focus on the individual's skills, so there might be a knitting workshop or a painting workshop which allows one to explore their hidden talents. So often the members are devalued and marginalized by those "normal" people that they in turn separate themselves from the rest of the world and forget they actually have talent and achievable goals.
Cultural Assumptions:
There are also many issues that come along with an organization of such from the community in general. First of all, this center is technically labeled as a mental rehabilitation center from the outside world because many of the members here have a diagnosed mental disability. Because of this, many of these members are sterotypically labeled as crazy, violent, lazy, and that they are of little worth. To shed light on a more personal note, I said from day one of this service learning that their "disability" was going to jump out at me...when in fact, some individuals I met barely gave any leeway for me to believe they were mentally disabled. I had my own assumption due to the cultural stigma of what disabled individuals are like. I questioned what I would talk about in conversation with these individuals, what topics should I avoid (i.e family), and whether or not I should talk about my life with them. I assumed that these individuals were unable of carrying an intellectual, adult conversation, and I assumed that if I told them about my life at Dickinson, I might come off as a snub, and I certainly did not want to do that! Contrary to what I believed, these individuals proved me otherwise. Many of them were interested in my life, my college career, my family, and my physical deformity. Also, when I told them about my life, I did not feel as if I was coming off in a inferior way, but I felt as if I could relate to them in some way or another. It is very clear to see also that the media does not help to alleviate this cultural assumptions either. In a way, media picks on these individuals. Yes, every now and then we get an impacting movie such as A Beautiful Mind, and What's Eating Gilbert Grape, but for the most part the media represents the negativity surrounded by these cultural assumptions. They may not technically add to the cultural stigma but they certainly do not try to represent these individuals in an culturally accepting way.
The Director:
Unlike many other agencies, Stephanie Faron, the Center's Director, is happy to say that money is the Center's last problem. She is very proud of Cumberland County because they stand firmly behind the Center and what it has to offer the surrounding communities. Unfortunately, it is the misconceptions of the Carlisle community that have caused problems for the agency. There is constantly a stigma associated with the building; Stephanie feels that many members of the community do not take her or the Center seriously. Recently, the members of the Center have had a problem with a local store owner. This person raises the prices of goods when the members buy items, refuses to let certain members enter the store and is constantly disrespecting them.
Faron first became interested in doing social work involving people with disabilities when she was in college. It was during this time that she landed a summer job working at a facility that treated many individuals living with disability. At first she recalled being scared, but soon developed a passion for the line of work. It is her desire and ultimate goal to help the people in the Stevens Group to regain their independence as well as their recognition as citizens who have an active and positive role in society. The Stevens Group is more of a club that is designed to provide a social and comfortable environment, where the members can feel like they are not being treated like they have a disability. To Faron, this perspective is destructive as well as false. In her own words, "just because you have a disability doesn't mean you can't take care of yourself," and that is what she stresses at the Stevens Group.
How to Become a Member:
Most of the individuals who come to the Stevens Group are "high functioning." However, a good portion of the people there were previously in hospitals for years, where lying in bed and receiving treatment was the normal daily practice for them. Each member has a case manager who follows the individual's progress, condition, as well as the wants and needs of the individual. If the case manager as well as the individual would like the individual to become involved with the Stevens Group, the case manager must write a referral. At this point, the potential member comes in for an interview with Stephanie Faron. In this interview, Faron assesses if he or she is appropriate by the behavior and attitude they present. At this point in time, Faron has only ever turned away one individual because the person was offensive and angry, a potentially destructive element to add to the amiable atmosphere at the Stevens Group.
What Stephanie Faron stresses when speaking of the members' past up until the point of joining the Stevens Group is the concept of loss. By the time the individuals become a part of the Stevens Group they have lost everything. Due to the policies that are in place regarding the area of mental health, a person usually has to lose everything before he or she can get help. They lose their job, their friends, their car, their family sometimes, their money, the house, and their identity. The provides this opportunity for them to get help, but only once they have usually reached rock bottom.
Relevance of Non-fiction reading on Experiences
Throughout the duration of this semester, we have been reading various works that center on disabilities. These include, but are not limited to Jonathan Lethem's Motherless Brooklyn, "Fat," by Raymond Carter, excerpts from RoseMarie Garland-Thomson's Extraordinary Bodies, Katherine Dunn's Geek Love, and various other short stories, articles and poems. We have examined how these fictious works, as well as those of theory are applicable to our service learning. Following are a gathering of reflections upon the relation of literay works and the Steven's Center.
As of last week, all visitors at the center have to wear nametags, just to identify them to the members and facilitate interaction, I suppose. What’s ironic about this is that not only do I now feel like I’m the “object of the gaze” as Garland-Thomson calls it, but I feel almost stigmatized for being “normal,” which is the complete opposite of what one would expect (26). It’s bizarre the type of inverted stereotyping that is happening, unintentionally of course. In the story “Fat” by Raymond Carver, the two main characters, the fat man and the narrator aren’t even allotted names. Culture deems them as so anomalous that their physical trait (large and small) defines them completely. At the Steven’s Center, on the other hand, my name is paraded loud and clear, marking me as different, even though I represent the ‘normate’ in this situation. I wonder, is this what it feels like to have a disability in such a narrowly defined world?
For more information about the above topic please view the links below!
Psychological Rehabilitation
http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/page.asp?ID=62&Detail=3562
Social Rehabilitation
http://www.healthpsych.com/index.shtml
Bipolar Disorder & Manic Depression
http://www.moodswing.org/diagnosis.html
http://www.nimh.nih.gov/publicat/bipolar.cfm
Schizophrenia
http://www.mentalhealth.com/dis/p20-ps01.html
http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-sc01.html
http://www.nraf-rehabnet.org/communcate01.html
Excerpts from Marissa's Pre-Service Reflection
"As I met with some of the members there, and some of the people who run the company, I instantly felt overwhelmed. My biggest fear is that I am going to say something that might offend someone, or might not be correct terminology. In my case, I battle internally quite often with my disability. In one aspect, I have just learned to get over the fact that I have a disability; I have the attitude of “it could be worse, so just get over it.” In another point of view, I think “God, why me, why could not I just be physically normal.”
"I am hoping to find a deeper appreciation for the word “disability,” and I use the word appreciation, because these people truly are like anyone else. I think the stereotype that society has put on us has made any human being to disregard someone who is not “normal looking.” Also, I would love a chance for me to get to know some of the “members” life’s history and background. Finally, I definitely want to learn how to appreciate the small things in life..."
-As one can see, my initial fear was offending a member, and I was very overwhelmed right from the beginning. Also, before I volunteered, I wanted to grasp a deeper appreciation for the word "disability/disabled" and as you read excerpts from my follow service journals, you will see how that has come to pass
Excerpts from my Service Journal Entries
First Journal Entry - "I was expecting to sit down with the director, Stephanie, and go over a few things, instead she was like “Hey, go and hang out.” I’m thinking to myself, “hangout?? Are you kidding me?” I don’t know these people, I have no clue what is wrong with them, and I have no idea what to say. But as I walked into the main lobby, I put a smile on my face, and just went up and introduced myself to many people; it was easier than I thought."
"I have often asked what is normal?, and even though I cannot explain what is normal I first looked at these individuals as “abnormalities.” I became frustrated with the way I was first thinking, but I could not help it. The social constructions that society has placed on us are obviously inside of me and our society’s view of what is normal and acceptable does linger in my mind. Then I began reflecting this experience to my own life; I hate it when people look at me as if I am abnormal, or not right, just because of a physical impairment I have! I can always prove my ability to be “normal,” through my actions and my conversation. However these people cannot; many of them are viewed as delinquents or stupid because some of them have no way of proving their intelligence due to the fact that many cannot put sentences together. I felt very saddened by this; I cannot even begin to imagine living my life like this."
Second Journal Entry
I guess, even though my second visit was not as eventful, there were times throughout the visit that I could relate back to Mary Douglas’s fifth strategy of incorporating the anamolous into the larger, mainstream world..."
"Ultimately, the point of this volunteer work, I believe is to bring out a side of these people that too often don’t get shown. I mean seriously, I would want to commit suicide if all I was able to do was sit on a couch for 8 hours out of a day and stare at the floor. And I feel that yes, in a way, the Steven’s Center is trying to make them feel like normal individuals by having them do housework, cook, and use a computer… but if you really think about it, there is a heaviness of depression that consumes that place – I feel like they are segregated into this room with no where to turn, like there is no light aat the end of their tunnel. I guess, in some aspects, its more of a segregation than an incorporation into the mainstream world."
Third Journal Entry
"Also, the issue of having no one remember my name or where I was from actually caused me to feel even more awkward. I know inwardly that they truly cannot help it, but it honestly becomes frustrating at times! I just want to scream inside. I guess I should say that I grew up with a less than patient mom. I had to get things right the first time! So, in a way, our environment shapes who we are and I believe growing up in such a demanding environment, I too have adapted that same attitude. I have patience for some things in life, but for the most part, I just get irritated. Being able to talk with sTephanie, the director, was sort of an escape for me -- and to be brutally honest, it was escape for me because I was with someone who qualifies under the cultural standards of being normal. I know that these people are just like the rest of us, they just have different ways of coping with the stress that life throws at them. Howver, that feeling of uncomfort still lingers over me when I am there -- but who is to say that that feeling will ever go away?"
Through talking with Stephanie, it made me think back to our class discussion of "The Disabled Figure in Literature," and our discussion on "The Gap between Representation and Reality." We talked a lot about cultural assumptions about these "type of individuals." Many of these individuals are looked at as crazy, violent, lazy, dirty, unkempt, and unimportant. These people are categorized with these words based on assumptions, not experiences. I think not enough people take the time to question ifvmaybe something went terribly wrong in the past that caused them to snap -- they just assume they are lazy because they don't hold the job of a CEO! These people are looked at as a spectacle for the world to gawk at. There is no political awareness that opens American's eyes towards cognitive disabilities, infact, the media does not help either - they simply either ignore the problem or over emphazise it in a negative way.
"The difference between representation and reality can be looked at in a since of our own lifes. Each of us, as a Dickinson student, has worked so hard to get where we are at in life. Our endless nights of studying in highschool, our time consuming extra cirricular activities, and our intelligence has led us to this college. However, once we are here, no matter what our background of living environment, the hard work no longer matters because now we are a rich snutty white kid who gets everything we want. Sometimes the stigma of being a Dickinson student is impaired also -- we are represented as individuals who cry when our nails break."
"This is the same type of problem the STeven's Center members are facing. Many of them receive no credit for who they are. Many hold a job, cook food, and are some of the nicest people anyone would encounter. But because they go to a "clinic" for the mentally impaired, they are easily represented as "crazy folks with no life." Also, the only difference between some of the members and the world's non-members is this: with the blink of an eye, any one of us can snap or go crazy, for the members, they went to a psychologist or psychiatrist to get prescribed a medicine. In going to those doctors, some people automatically put the stigma that they are crazy. However, we forget to recall the millions of Americans that go to their "family doctor" for when they have a moment in their life that cuases them to snap. The family doctor is looked at as something more normal, whereas if you would go to a psychiatrist, then you are crazy. Being represented by this stigma is far too common and unending. I believe the best way to bring forth the true reality is to take steps like all of us students are taking. Visiting these people, getting to know them, and volunteering our time here is a way to break this wall, or gap, between how these members are represented among society."
Last Journal Entry
"In all honesty, this was the first time I felt comfortable there because we were actually doing an activity which incorporated everyone."
"I tried not to let any political, cultural or societal assumptions sway how I felt towards these people. It was a constant battle internally with trying to make them seem normal in my head, and then feeling like they are way out of place. I don’t know exactly what strategic essentialism is, but in context with this project, I believe my viewpoint changed to a more essentialist manner. I began to value their individuality more, and not grouping them as a collective whole in a negative way, but more in a sense of community. I saw how these people interact, and who’s to say whether or not having an Easter egg hunt be fun is wrong or not. I just hope that one day everyone can see these individuals as an essential part of a community and begin to validate them as a person, not construct what they should look like based off of a societal ideal."
REFLECTIONS FROM REVIEWING MY JOURNAL ENTRIES
At the end of my personal experience with this learning project, I have come to accomplish my goal -- I have found a deeper appreciation for the word "disability." Disability has numerous faces, it comes in all shapes, colors, and sizes. I have learned that disability is not something everyone is just born with...I know even I related disability to birth due to a social stigma. I think everyone is born that way because I was, however I have come to realize that with some of these individuals, it was just one catastrophic event in their life that caused them to "snap." In listening to some of these member's life stories, I have come to be grateful for my Godly upbringing. Having my mother raise me all own her own has taught me to have more compassion for the "less fortunate." But, having her strong will, and having her enstill in my a love for Christ has helped me get through some of the hardest times in my life. When we had nothing left, or when I found out I was "sick," my faith in God brought me through it all, and I believe that is what truly saved my mom and/or I from mentally "snapping." I feel so bad for some of these people who feel so utterly worthless, and I could cry when I think of how they must feel inside. However, I have learned to love, value, and respect each and everyone of them. I have also come to realize that they break down the barriers of what normative cultural really is like because I think any normal person has gone through some horrific events in there lifetime; it is just a matter of how we choose to deal with it! I have learned that disability is just a term, thrown around by people who feel superior. These members are truly not disabled in my eyes, partly because they are taking every step possible to gain that empowerment back that was stripped away from them. They are not depending on anyone else for their survival -- they are doing it all on their own, and that takes courage, an attribute that many fail to have these days. Even though I was nervous and overwhelmed at times throughout the whole service project, by the end, I became very comfortable. Thank you so much for the opportunity to allow myself to grow as a "disabled individual." I truly have learned so much from this experience.
'''A Mosaic of Danielle Goonan's Experiences'''
Pre-Service Reflection "I wasn’t surprised that I became very nervous as I walked into The Steven’s Group on Thursday. Mentally disabled adults have always made me uncomfortable, which is weird because I spent many summers working with mentally disabled children. Maybe it is because whether or not a child has a disability, they always need to be taken care of or helped. However, it is hard for one to fathom an adult who may not be able to “fully function” or need help taking care of themselves (I have a similar fear of nursing homes, maybe there’s a connection). I am extremely happy I will be doing my service at The Steven’s Group because this experience will hopefully help me overcome my fear."
First Service Reflection "When I first entered the center I was nervous. I was unsure of how the members would react to our presence their and how I would react to the things they said and did. Surprisingly, once I introduced myself and started speaking to Dandy and Carol I began to feel more comfortable. I didn’t even realize it until after I left, but I was comfortable for most of my time there. The members really enjoyed our presence and I was happy to get to know them. When I first sat down to talk, I was doing it because I had to, however, after a little while it was something I wanted to be doing. I hope to get used to the fact that some of the members will say things that aren’t socially acceptable or will repeat the same thing many times. I feel that my goal of becoming comfortable around adults with disabilities will be accomplished by the time this service project is over. I also hope to continue doing service at The Steven’s Center for my Bonner hours. I really feel that this can make a difference in the Dickinson community because no one from Dickinson does regular service there (which I find very upsetting). I already spoke to Bonner, my community service organization, and the director the Office of Religious Life and Community Service. He wants to meet with Stephanie, the director, and hopefully add The Steven’s Group to our lists of partners. I would be very excited if my fellow students and I could be the beginning of a withstanding relationship with the group."
Second Service Reflection "I was comfortable the whole time I was at the center this week which I am very happy with. However, it was harder to deal with the residents. Peanut reminded me of a child that couldn’t sit through something they weren’t enjoying. Her constant interruptions were annoying everyone else in the room, especially Sandy and other members that joined our viewing later on in the afternoon. Instead of leaving the room, she stood in front of the TV. and spoke about other movies or blurted out random things (i.e. “Do you like my pink pants?”). I was getting frustrated trying to explain to her that everyone else was trying to watch the movie. I left the room thinking she just wanted to have someone to talk to, but she didn’t follow. So after a few minutes of walking around, I went back into the movie. I don’t want to blame everything the members do wrong on their disability because I feel that makes them seem “less” than they are, but in some cases, I can’t help to think that if she was society’s definition of “normal” she have done that. It’s hard to distinguish what is the right way to perceive them and their disability from the wrong way. Of maybe, we are not supposed to even do that. Maybe we are supposed to take people for what they are and do our best to adjust."
Third Service Reflection "I was really happy to be back at the Steven’s group. I had expressed my happiness to members of my service organizations and I am receiving emails with other students who would love to do service there which makes me very happy. I am really happy that the members remember my name and look forward to my visit each week. I was a little uneasy towards the end of my visit because Peanut was speaking with me about a male member she was not too fond of. When I tried to explain to her that he said the petition was only a joke, she became unhappy with me and asked me if I was taking his side. I tried to explain that I wasn’t but she just kept questioning my loyalty. I feel that the center is a place where I am also able to “let my hair down” and be myself because the members aren’t judging you. Peanut and I were dancing by ourselves in the front of the main room and no one found this strange. If I ever did something like this outside of the center people would think I had something wrong with me. I definitely feel less societal pressure while being at the center."
Fourth Service Reflection "I am really touched that the members enjoy the time I spend with them. It makes me feel really good that they remember my name and much of what we have talked about in the past even though I am only there once a week for two hours. I have grown very attached to the members and look forward to going to the center every week. I noticed that the members try hard to please the college students, which bothers me. Every time I play cards with Carol she thanks me several times; I always thank her for asking me to play. Also, whenever Peanut makes a comment that she believes upsets Everett or I (which never happens) she apologizes profusely. This may have to do with the fact that they rarely get visitors and are scared we might stop coming. Or maybe they have been so misunderstood in the past that they try hard to please others."
'''Alex Hallman's Experiences'''
I was very apprehensive about going to work at the Stevens Center. I had a general sense of the disabilities the members there had but did not know to what extent and how each of the members dealt with their disabilites. Orientation did not ease any of my anxieties. Some of the members repeat themselves over and over, fixate on certain themes, or just expect you to have the same hobbies and interests as they do so certainly you won't mind of they keep up to the second on their projects. The hardest thing for me would be to not become frustrated. But then I found out that our primary purpose was to just spend time with them. Two hours per week for four weeks. I can do that. It's not something I would go out and do on my own, but that was the purpose of the service learning, get out and do some hands on things that you probably wouldn't normally do.
The first visit was awkward, as were the other three. It's something I could never shake. It really made me thing about Italic textExtraordinary BodiesItalic text and how the abnormal body serves as a method for the normal body to define itself. I felt like the service learning was a way for us, or me in this case, to take time out and reflect on our lives, bodies, and experience. I don't think that was the point, but it made me think. I could have just as easily been one of them. But I'm not through no great actions on my own part. The first visit made me count my blessings.
The next three vistis were pretty much repeats of the first. We would just hang out with however was there that day. One of the members, Peanut, asked if someone could bring a movie, so the three visits were pretty much us watching a movie. The awkwardness was still there, and I was thinking about how easily things could have been different. The more time I spent there, though, the more the place seemed like a daycare center. Members would wake up at their respective homes, go down to the Stevens Center when it opened at eight and go back home when it closed at three. That place serves as a care center. This, for me, reenforced the assumption I had of the members as children. I thought going in that they thought and acted like children. It doesn't have any meaning, but it was something I observed. So thats how we spent those visits, hanging out and watching movies. It wasn't void of effort, it's what happened.
The whole experience was awkward. I never would have done anything like that on my own, and probably never will. It has taught me people with these disabilities are people and have their own assumptions about us. Proving assumptions about one another wrong, I think, was the best thing that came out of this service learning and the other service learning projects that have gone on at the Stevens Center. The experience did get me thinking about my own life and how I would feel if I were in their situation, disabled and a member at the Center. It would be nice to have a place to go to that would help break up the day, teach me some skills I could use in my own life, get a bite three days a week, and be among people that are going through what I am. But how would I feel when the college kids showed up? I, personally, would not like that. Chances are I would have been to countless doctors for innumberable appointments, poked and checked, and felt like I was a learning tool for some quack. Now my sancturay is being invaded and I am again made a freak put on display to help these kids feel better about themselves just like Garland-Thomson said. The service learning really made me think and put me in their shoes, if only for eight hours. I am more private person, and would not want my ailments on display for all to see, but for them they might not see it that way. They may just take it as an oppurtunity to interact with other people. If any does not like it, of course, they just don't come in that day. Overall, I think it was a somewhat positive experience. I don't think I had a life-alterating impact on anyone. I just hope they enjoyed themselves for the time I was there. It has taught me that there are agencies that are trying to help people with some problems. And that's a good thing. It's nice to see people show initiative and help their fellow man on their own, instead of waiting for someone else or the government to start an inefficient program or something. The Center is a better alternative to just locking these people up in a state hospital. They aren't dangerous, they just need a helping hand.
Preservice
First Entry
"When I first arrived and met the member who does maintenance, it was unclear to me whether or not he was a ‘non-disabled’ person like the supervisor, or a member of the organization. Conversation with him was completely fluid and comfortable. There was no mention of disabilities, other than his joking about some of his friends’. I found this to be true of the community the entire morning. When I would introduce myself, the other person was coherent and partook in conversation, making interaction reasonably easy, instead of awkward or forced. Some of the members introduced themselves; others seemed less interested in our presence. The people who did talk, however, were usually quite talkative, setting me at ease. There were certainly a few uneasy moments, conversation would stop and I wouldn’t know what to do. It’s also tricky because you’re not sure whether or not to ask them about their past, or present family/social/job situation. But during the monopoly game things felt fine. We could joke with the members about luck and money, sometimes even competitively. It was fun, and beneficial to see that these people with “disabilities” were in all honesty, not that different from us."
Second Entry
" However, while being alone certainly did not kill me, it was definitely a far more dynamic experience in terms of learning. This is not to say that the morning was a breeze. Now that I’ve been twice, I honestly think the most awkward parts are the arriving and the leaving. I was certainly scared when the members started arriving, worried about what to talk about, how it would go, etc. Not everyone remembers you, and so it plunges you back into feeling “out of place,” particularly as we now have to wear nametags. So there were certainly moments of the morning when I felt confused, or uncomfortable. The first people who came this morning, none of whom I knew, didn’t particularly seem interested in conversing with me. This forced me to cling to the artist who didn’t appear to mind my feeble attempts at inclusion, probably coming off as a stream of badgering and questioning. But the truly surprising thing was that mid-morning, or at least by the end, I was at ease. I wasn’t completely “at home” per se, but I wasn’t so extremely uncomfortable that I was consciously aware of it, or checking my watch every two minutes. It just became a conversation between myself and the others."
Third Entry
"For some reason, I felt really uncomfortable there this morning. I don’t know why exactly, for nothing really remarkable or disturbing happened. The whole atmosphere seemed different though. Everyone was really tired, people weren’t as talkative or outlandish as at other times. I suppose this community is not unlike any other group of people; the dynamics change each day. Anyways, there were a mixture of moments of ‘normalcy’ and awkwardness. The girl who was crocheting told Lauren and I that we should wake up the sleeping man (no sleeping allowed), because he wasn’t listening to her. Well, obviously I was not comfortable doing that, even if he was breaking the rules, I didn’t feel it was my place to enforce them. I also noticed that the senior woman who is usually in charge was not as together today as I’m used to seeing. This was a bit strange to watch."
Fourth Entry
"She said that the atmosphere at the center is actually really positive, as most of the folks who attend are already high functioning, which is why at certain times, I have no idea why some of the people are here because their “disabilities” do not define them. Which I guess is good because it means that us as students are helping dissipate their notions about Dickinson students (people actually wanted to talk this morning), and they are changing our minds about what it means to have a disability."
Post Service thoughts
"I’m not sure to what extent, or even how I impacted the people at the Steven’s Center. It’s difficult to evaluate my contributions when recognition and feedback from the people I interacted with was minimal at times. First and foremost I hope that I helped changed some stereotypes they may have harbored about Dickinson students. The last couple times I went there was definitely one guy, a cook, who remembered who I was, and maybe two of the women. I would like to think that they remembered me because they appreciated our conversations and exchanges. My time there changed my mind significantly about disabilities, especially in light of the assumptions that we as citizens are fed via the media and the entertainment industry. "
'''A Mosaic of Aimee Wiker's Experiences'''
Pre-Service Reflection
"I don’t expect that this experience will be as extreme as my past ones working with the mentally ill have been, but I think it will still be one I will learn from. It will be interesting and different for me to interact with people whose condition is not bad enough to warrant they live in a mental hospital or institution, and not good enough for them to function on their own in society. I am impressed with what the Steven’s Group is trying to do, and hopefully by the end of this service learning assignment I will feel like I am contributing to the program’s overall goal of trying to get these people out and working on their own. The skills they teach at the center are very valuable and practical, and I could tell through visiting and sitting through the orientation that it is successful. I am very open to the idea and am really excited to get started and see what the experience will shape out to be. I am going in to the experience with a positive attitude and an open mind, and hopefully this combined with my past experience will help me to impact the Steven’s Group in a positive way."
First Entry
"It was intimidating walking in to the Steven’s Center for the first time. I didn’t know how to act and I didn’t know what questions would be appropriate. Is it OK to ask about family, or is that just going to be a harsh reminder of what they had before they got sick? I tried to keep the questions general. I felt the need to reassure the people that they were normal, like it would be of comfort to them to know they were like me, the typical college student, in some way. The similarities we had; the favorite songs, aspirations to travel, and childhood pets reminded me that we really weren’t all that different from one another. When a member would ask why we were there, I felt bad mentioning that it was for an English class. Luckily none of them asked questions past that, so I was never left to awkwardly explain that we were studying disability and they were prime examples for us. I felt bad enough divulging that I had a selfish purpose in coming. It was funny though; the people seemed used to people giving them reasons for coming. Like it would be absurd to think that someone would come on their own accord."
Second Entry "I still struggle some in knowing how much help to offer the members; I want to assist them when I can, but I don’t want to offend them and give them the impression that they are incapable of doing the most menial tasks on their own. For example, when I saw that the members were preparing lunch, I wanted to help. I think it is almost a natural thing when you go to someone else’s home for dinner, etc. to offer to assist them with the food preparation because it feels awkward to just sit there while they are slaving away in the kitchen. However, I refrained from offering assistance in this situation because I could tell that the members took so much pride in being able to cook a meal themselves. I didn’t want them to get the wrong idea about my confidence in their abilities, so I forced myself to just sit awkwardly and watch."
Third Entry "I didn’t have much contact with the group members this week, but I still took a lot away from my time there. Talking with Stephanie was great; I was finally able to ask the questions that ran through my head each time I went to the Steven’s Group. We should have probably been interviewing Stephanie a lot sooner in our service learning experience, because after talking with her, I feel much more comfortable with what the mission is for these people. Some things about the program still don’t make sense to me, but that’s probably just my ignorance on the mentally ill shining through. I think I finally understand the fluid system of employing and working with people to push them towards greater independence."
Fourth Entry "I had really mixed feelings about our “last trip”. I liked learning what the group was about, and four weeks was definitely enough time to understand the purpose of the Steven’s Center. However, building relationships and really feeling like you made a difference in someone’s life takes a little longer, so in many ways I felt like my service at the Steven’s Center was incomplete. Our volunteer time served its purpose for our class though; I do seem to have a better understanding of what it’s like to be disabled. Just being there, I got a sense of how hard it must be for these people to fight the stereotypes of what society assigns to the mentally ill."
Lauren's experience
Pre-service: "My mind automatically attempted to categorize and label the types of behavior I was observing. I thought that maybe if I knew each individual’s condition I could better interact with them. At the Steven’s Group, I am going to move past my first instinct of being afraid to interact with the people and instead get to know them, allowing them to impact my life by teaching me about who they are. I am hoping to understand what their conditions mean to them personally and socially, and fit that into a larger framework of understanding what it is like to be a person living with a disability in America."
First visit: "There are a few people there who do not seem like they are struggling with any type of disability and others that, according to the terminology they use, are “low functioning.” I was not sure if members wanted to talk to me or if they wanted me to leave them alone. I am afraid that if I ask about their lives, they will get defensive. I afraid that if I don’t ask, they will think I am scared and uncomfortable. I am afraid that if I look at them they will think I am staring, and that if I don’t they will think I am trying to ignore them and that I feel uncomfortable. I am so worried about making them feel uncomfortable"
Second visit: "We watched Terminator 3 and a lot of the interaction that was exchanged was about the movie. The man there who refers to himself as “the schitzophrenic” shared a heated letter with us that he was planning on sending to his psychiatrist. At least, I think he was talking about his psychiatrist. He was talking about how he was a victim of psychology and how psychology was bullshit. I felt comfortable because I watching TV with the members and talking, something I do with my friends and it is something that is easy to relate to. I found myself not wondering what their condition was this time and just enjoying their company and their banter about the movie we were watching. It felt 'normal.'"
Third visit: "Peanut was upset that morning because of a Dentist appointment. She approached me and pulled me outside because she said she needed to talk to me about something. I followed her outside and she told me that kids had been prank calling her and that she didn’t go to her dentist appointment because she thought that kids had prank called her and made up the appointment to make a fool out of her. So, I told her I thought that she should call her dentist to see if she had an appointment, to which she replied, “No, that’s what they would want me to do. I’m not a fool. I’m not going to call.” It made me really sad to know that this distrust Peanut had about people did not spring from nothing. I knew that kids had probably prank called her before about other things and it broke my heart that she did not go to her dentist appointment for that reason."
Fourth visit: "Stephanie talked of how she first got into this line of work in college when she landed an internship working with people who had mental disabilities, but whom were more low functioning than the ones at the Steven’s Group. She said she was terrified at first but now has a great passion and enjoyment for the work. She enjoys trying to help the members become more independent and get back on their feet again. This time I went to the Stevens Group, more people remembered me which made me feel more welcomed. I also felt good that they not only recognized me, but that they were happy to see me. Almost all of my discomfort and worries are gone by now. I enjoy talking to the members there and most of the conversations I have there are interesting and captivating. I talk to them just like I talk to my friends at Dickinson, but I still get sad sometimes to think about how much some of them have lost. Stephanie kept saying that for people with mental disabilities, the biggest thing is “loss.” A lot of the people there have lost family members and friends because they abandoned them or just didnt know how to deal with it. A lot of them lost their homes, their jobs, their cars, their self esteem…"
Post-reflection: "I am not any more familiar with any of the disorders themselves, but I am familiar with the people living with them. I always got the feeling that they were anticipating for me to judge them and stigmatize them. I realized that I was worried about the same thing when I talked to them too. I was worried they were going to judge me before talking to me and just pass me off as just another student with a stigma attached to me. The first day I was there I also felt sympathy and guilt, but then after I talked to people I didn’t feel that way anymore. I have noticed that most of the authors we have read play on this tendency for the reader to create assumptions about the character with a disability and the plot itself. The characters with disabilities we have read are developed in such a manner where the reader feels naturally inclined to feel sympathy, guilt, and maybe even to ally ourselves with him or her. However, there is always a twist which plays on those emotions the author knows the reader is having."
