Lion's Eye Favorite: Teaching and Working with People with Special Needs

All smiles: Justin '07 (right) and a friend

Lion's note: this story originally appeared in April, 2007.

By all accounts, Ballytobin in Callan, Ireland, is an eye-opening place. A "Camphill Community" located on a farm in County Kilkenny, Ballytobin was started by Exeter alum Patrick Lydon '68 and his wife. It is home to approximately 40 adults and children with significant special needs. The link between Exeter and Ballytobin/Callan is close. Each academic year, two seniors have the chance to spend winter term there. Faculty visit for shorter-term projects.

Exeter-Ballytobin/Callan is just one of the Exeter programs that support children with special needs. Exeter Social Service Organization has four groups – Best Buddies, Chain of Friends, Heartbreakers and Therapeutic Riding – that match Exonians with special needs children in the Exeter area.

Recently, three Exeter community members – one instructor and two students – talked about their Ballytobin/Callan experiences to an all-school assembly entitled, "Teaching and Working with Children with Special Needs." The sheer gusto of the assembly communicated the tremendous gift this experience offers both to the children with special needs and those who work with them.

Sarah Ream, chair of the department of Theater and Dance, visited Ballytobin/Callan during spring break. "I had never worked with students with this type of special needs before," said Ream of her experience leading a weeklong drama workshop. "I figured we'd play games relating to storytelling." It soon became clear that Ream's storytelling plans needed revision. At least one of the Ballytobin residents, Patrick, chose not to speak. So, on the spot, Ream developed an innovative storytelling game that allowed everyone to play, with or without spoken words. Patrick ultimately developed a narrative on his own, using pictures and gestures.

"I learned to lead with my heart, not my head," Ream explained. She punctuated her presentation with three lessons learned during her stay at Ballytobin/Callan:

1. "Be authentic. Teach who you are."
2. "Stay in the present. Trust in the moment and allow spontaneity."
3. "Allow yourself to delight in the fresh and unexpected way that people with special needs think."  

Justin and Christina, both Exeter seniors, spent winter term in Callan working part of the week at Ballytobin. As part of the program, they lived in group homes with Callan staff and residents, and worked with residents doing farming tasks and individualized caretaking.

Christina told touching tales of working with Stevie, a 19-year-old with the mental function of a 3-year-old. "He was basically a 6' 2" toddler," she explained, with a smile that expressed many emotions, including affection, respect and admiration. She related the story of a trek across a muddy field with Stevie, who, seemingly unawares, stepped out of one rubber boot as it stuck in the mud, and then continued to walk happily alongside Christina, one boot on, one boot off, unperturbed. The walk, for Christina, was emblematic of the joys and lessons of working at Ballytobin/Callan. She learned to admire "the purity of someone like Stevie," she explained. "Instead of focusing on disability, you focus on the ability…I will be forever grateful to the people who taught me so much so quickly." Experiences like this gave Christina, "a new appreciation for the differences and similarities between people."

Justin's stories revolved around a relationship he developed with Mark, a 37-year-old with Down syndrome. "He is very proudly gay, and listens constantly to Tina Turner and ABBA," explained Justin, with a smile. Mark was experienced at voicing his needs and wants. When his birthday came around, Justin knew exactly what to give: an ABBA CD. "Mark giggled at practically every present, small or large, and showed his joy and love very clearly," said Justin, describing the birthday party celebration, with everyone gathered together. Mark opened the ABBA CD last, and started to play it immediately. "As soon as the song 'Dancing Queen' came on, Mark began to sing," explained Justin. "Accompanying the singing was a dance that Mark performed to the awed audience of our entire community. All of us sang along while he danced, encouraging him as a person in a community of individuals. Mark continued the very original dance through the entire song, and when it came to an end, he was met with unanimous applause. This was Mark's thank you, and this was Mark's gift." 

Assembly ended to the strains of "Dancing Queen"…

Interested in learning more?
Learn more about Exeter's Social Service Organization…
Read about two recent alums who spent a term at Ballytobin, in The Exeter Bulletin, Summer 2005…
Learn more about the Exeter-Ballytobin/Callan Program…