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DisPatches

Why We Do It by Jeff Kamler, Adaptive PE instructor

Jeff's photo    Last summer, the first issue of Dispatches was produced. The front page introduced you to the "A, B, Cs of Adaptive P.E." (i.e., "Focusing on Ability, Establishing Balance and Finding the Center"). It began with the following quote: "The purpose of maintaining the body in good health is to [make it possible to] acquire wisdom" (Maimonides, Commentaries on the Mishnah, v.).

  For this second issue, the dilemma was between choosing to continue through the alphabet ("The D, E, Fs of Adaptive P.E.") or following up on the philosophical approach. Somehow the D, E, Fs just didn´t have the same ring as the A, B, Cs, and what could possibly be "philosophized" beyond "acquiring wisdom?" Such are the challenges of a contributor to a newsletter.

  But all is not lost, for a story is always good material, and as we approach the holiday season, what better than a story about a gift and a blessing...

  A few days before the rains of mid-November, I was kindly given a folded-up piece of paper by one of our wonderful "helpers." She informed me that someone had given this to her, and that after she read it she had thought of our program. I was secretly hoping that it was not a chain letter, or a complaint about some aspect of what we do.

  On the contrary, to my pleasant surprise, it was a beautiful collection of praises for the work that is carried out every day by a program such as ours, with several stanzas honoring and blessing the kind people who choose to be involved in our work. It was a reminder not only of what it is that we do, but of why we do it, and of how we conduct ourselves while we do what we do:

  •  Blessed are you who took the time to listen to difficult speech, for you helped me to know that if I persevered I could be understood.
  •   Blessed are you who walked with me in public places and ignored the stares of strangers, for in your companionship I found safe haven.
  •   Blessed are you who were patient with me, for often, I needed time rather than help.
  •   Blessed are you who stood beside me as I entered new and untried ventures, for my failures were outweighed by the times that I surprised myself and you.
  •   Blessed are you who understood that it was difficult for me to put my thoughts into words, for sometimes I needed help that I could not ask for.
  •   Blessed are you who through your graciousness assured me that I was a valuable individual. You looked beyond my physical and mental challenges and saw the God-given self which no infirmity can confine.

  At this time of year, may we indulge a little (beyond the food and drink), and reflect upon the wondrous qualities and experiences that are a part of our daily routine in Adaptive P.E. Thank you all for participating, and enjoy the blessings.