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Gentle Teaching isn’t about trying to change behaviour…
Through my 3 and a half years of experience with COR and the philosophy of Gentle Teaching, I have attained a wealth of knowledge and an everlasting impact on my life. When I first started with COR, just like most people, I was a bit skeptical of the whole ideology of unconditional love. In latent terms, I perceived it as ‘give them whatever they want’ or ‘they can do whatever they want without consequences’. At the time, I failed to realize it was so much more than that. The whole basis of Gentle Teaching isn’t trying to change the individual’s behaviour, but rather changing our approach on how we serve the individuals.
My ability to use Gentle Teaching had never really been challenged until I began supporting at a new home and more specifically supporting one individual at that home. When I began, to be 100 percent honest, I was quite nervous. I had heard all the stories that this was the hardest team to support on. To my surprise, it really wasn’t! I got off to a good start with two of the guys. The only one I hadn’t connected with was one of the guys. Every time I would enter his space or try to interact with him, he would completely shut me down. This really bugged me personally. I am the type of person who really likes to get along with everybody, and at times, will over step boundaries to be liked by that person. This happened one day when I was supporting him. I came in that day with what I thought was a solid game plan. I was going to force myself to stay with him, we were really going to joke around and have an awesome time together. I also had the idea to take him to a Rider practice that day thinking it was going to be an amazing experience. I was completely wrong. Sure, he enjoyed the idea of going to Rider practice and seeing all his favourite players, but he still didn’t feel safe around me. I struggled to interpret what he was saying numerous times throughout the day and it led to numerous negative moments, the worst being at the Rider practice where he hit me. After that day, I came to realize that by forcing myself to be in his space, I had removed one of the most fundamental and most important pillars of Gentle Teaching; feeling safe.
In order to fix this, I needed to change how I provided care, while also trying to encompass the tools of Gentle Teaching to build the four pillars. For the next couple of months, I took a step back and really focused on observing, rather than forcing myself into situations for my own personal reasons. I was selective and patient in choosing the times that were appropriate to help strengthen his sense of feeling safe around me. Most of these interactions were focused around watching sports games or going out to grab a drink from 7/11. I tried keeping the interactions short and consistent allowing him to become comfortable around me. As time passed, I was able to get him to feel safe by changing how I provided for him. Once I had the sense of feeling safe around me, the other three pillars (feeling loved, feel loving towards others, and feeling engaged) came much more naturally.
Through my experience with all the individuals I support, they have had an everlasting impact on my life. They have taught me if I adjust how I provide care and unconditionally love them, rather than force them to be who they are not, that they will reciprocate it back in their way.
Brydon, COR Family Member
All Day, All Night, Dragon Boat
Labour Day weekend is the marker for many things. It means that school is starting, or that the Bombers are coming to town. Labour Day weekend reminds us that fall is coming; but it can also share with us one last glimmer of summertime! At COR, Labour Day weekend is Dragon Boat season. A weekend where months of practice culminates and give us one final payoff!
This year we were graced with calm waters and sun. A kindness we are not often afforded by the spirit of the Dragon Boats. This opened the door for competitors to be at their best. Especially our crew who were participating in our seventh consecutive festival under the team name ‘Rock You to the COR.’
Our first race had us finishing second in our heat achieving a time of 2 minutes and 33 seconds. It was a solid first race and it made way for a second heat race time of 2:34. A third race was guaranteed to all teams, but not all teams were solidified a birth in the C-Final the way Rock You to the COR did! With close to a three hour break between race 2 and the C final under our belt, we readied ourselves for the final sprint of the day. A race for all the marbles and bragging rights told round water coolers for weeks to come. Dragon Boat glory!
We paddled out long and loose like Coach Brad taught us so many times before. Bobbing and stroking to the familiar beat of a drum. Breathing in and out rhythmically we transformed into a well-oiled machine. The voices from the crowd disappeared and all that was left was our team. Our team versus two other boats.
“Leave it all out on the water; Nothing left in the Tanks!” rings out in the silence. One last message for the team as we approach the starting line. We buried our paddles in Wascana Lake for what seemed like forever, and then a mega phone muffled out the word, ‘GO!’
For two and a half minutes time stood still.
Sport and physical activity brings something out in us. For the most part it finds the best parts of our heart and shares it’s passion with the world. Sometimes it asks that we dig a little deeper and often it exposes the true grit that exists in every ounce of our hard work. To start the season some of us started out as strangers, most of us were colleagues and friends, but today we were C-side champions.
All Day, All Night, Dragon Boat.
Click here for CBC News Coverage of the 2016 Dragon Boat Festival
Sports Night is Back….
Sports Night is back! Join us on Thursday’s from 6-8pm at the Core Richie Community Center for an evening of spirited competition! Contact Ben for more details: ben@creativeoptionsregina.ca
Support Appreciation: A Night of Innovation at the Science Center
COR Supports are invited to join us for a night of innovation at the Saskatchewan Science Center on September 23, 2016. An evening of challenges, laughter and prizes await! Appetizers will be served, along with a cash bar. Personal invitations have been sent by email. We can’t wait to see you!
Thanks for being #AWESOME!
-Michael
My First Two Weeks with COR
When I first came to COR I didn’t know what to expect. Much like the first day of school, I held my lunch kit close to me – as it is the only thing I knew in my unusual surroundings – and made the tentative first steps towards my desk. I expected the commonplace whisperings from the corners of the office, “Who is that?” “Is that the new guy?” as they avoided all eye contact and slithered back to their desks checking emails all the while telling myself how silly I was for leaving my comfort zone and placing myself in such unfamiliar territory…
Except none of the snickers happened – not did I have regrets for leaving the cocoon that was my last job. I was greeted with smiles, handshakes, and most importantly laughter. Everyone welcomed me and assured me that my first few days were going to be great. They didn’t lie. My first few days flew by as I fell into my new position and started meeting my new colleagues. Any questions I had were greeted with friendly and encouraging answers. It felt great to be part of a positive team again; more importantly it felt that I was an actual team member, an equal; no one was higher or lower on the corporate ladder – we were all one big team working together to help those that we serve.
I have had the chance to experience many community building activities since arriving at COR. I joined the Dragonboat team and even went kayaking with the people with serve – an experience that was so fun, I am thinking of buying my own Kayak! I have been invited out to the art night and cannot wait to attend my first COR BBQ. This is only the tip of the iceberg of activities COR has to offer and I cannot wait to be a part of them all. All of these unforgettable experiences are what makes COR special. You would not be able to find this at any other place of work.
Meeting all the people we serve was the greatest part of my first few weeks. Having limited experience working with people with disabilities had me a little nervous. After the first few days and after meeting quite a few of the people we serve I look forward to having great conversation and interactions with everyone I have met day in and day out – there is no lack of positivity in this workplace and I am elated to have made the step to work at COR.
I am now finishing my second week here at COR and time continues to fly. I wouldn’t trade this experience for anything – I am looking forward to many more years with COR and to help all those we serve to smile and laugh every day. Shoot for the Stars!
Tom,
Administrative Assistant