The Program
Ride In My Footsteps© offers healthy children the opportunity to spend a half day in a wheelchair. Even those who may not be able to physically participate still benefit, as they will be in the class for the discussion. Everyone learns from the sharing of ideas, feelings and actions that the students experience during their half day at school.
During the program, students write ideas and thoughts and create an image in their downloadable journals. A group discussion follows, led by the educator, to explore further. It is this discussion where some of the best learning comes out, as students share from a place of experience versus what they may have thought previously.
The understanding from the Ride In My Footsteps experience can be applied to other situations beyond mobility. It is designed in an open way, so educators can tie it into multiple curriculum mandates. Check back for educator shared rubrics and ideas.
Hopefully your class will join the list of others participating!
Why is it important?
Schools have so many mandates to deliver beyond core curriculum. It’s all important, but a challenge to fit it all in!
This program offers meaningful, experiential learning in a school setting that also fits into curriculum. Hopefully this makes life a bit easier for our educators!
Ride In My Footsteps© stems from a thought shared between eight year old Carling Gill and her mother.
If people understood what it felt like to BE the person in the chair, then they could DO the simple things that would make a difference and make that person feel more included, integrated and accepted. They could help make accessibility more than a word in a report, or something that was talked about, but not practiced.
Ride In My Footsteps’ goal is to open hearts and understanding by offering the opportunity to learn and understand some of the feelings involved in a mobility challenged situation. To promote a shift of actions and interactions, that can last a lifetime.
Share Carling's Dream With Your Class
This video can be shared after your class discussion and presentation of certificates.
About Carling
Carling Gill … the little champion that touched so many hearts.
