kg4

It's pretty funny how similar older people can be to teenagers. The issues in the green group are very similar to the issues that I had in class back on practicum. Classroom management, inappropriate comments, apathy, sass, refusing to do work.. it's kind of funny really. This group, as I mentioned yesterday, if VERY different than the blue group. In many ways, no just age. As some of the instructors told me, one of the most important things at VHSS is the community. Every group that comes here comes in a group. Then they stay for 2, 3, 4 weeks, depending on the group. The point is that they come, stay, eat, and sleep together the entire time they are here (their rooms are in the same hallway- so close. they don't actually sleep together.) The ... read more

That's right, that's just one of the many Norwegian phrases I now know. It means goodbye (but - as I have learned, if you are just saying something like "see you" you just say Ha Det) Today was the big goodbye for the blue group. The day started out well for my girl, as she got to ride the dog sled again! Those dogs are the best too, they aren't racing dogs and THEY'RE SO FLUFFY (aka they let me pet them. it was nice). After that we all went to a course for a little wrap up race. Once again they organized it in a way so that everyone could succeed. The object of the race was to go around the track twice and try and get the exact same time both times. The girl ... read more

That's right.. it's exactly what you think... well maybe not quite. Today was "expedition day!" Since our group is a ski-focused group, today we had an all day ski trip! Since the patient I work with has more advanced Cerebral Palsy than the others, we got to take a dog sled to the place where we set up camp. These dogs were small huskys, but they were so friendly (very well trained). She sat in the sled, with the driver behind her.. while I was attached behind them on my skis, holding onto a rope (just like water skiing). It was so much fun! I started out down a hill and narrowly avoided eating my ski poles and from there on it was smooth sailing! When we arrived at the camp, it was at the side ... read more

Dear anyone who is every planning to travel at any time ever, Make sure you know when the FRICKING clocks change. It is with great restraint that I use the word fricking, given my day yesterday. My day started out bright and chipper, since there were no hostels available in Oslo, due to 2 world events being held there, a big car show and the world championship in sled dog racing (I can only imagine this is why there were no frigging hostels available), I had to upgrade to a hotel in the suburbs of Oslo, kind of like the Queen's of Manhattan, the Lambeth (ugh) of London, or perhaps the Ancaster of Hamilton.. you see where I'm going with this? Anyways, that's not important. The important thing was that I woke up feeling well rested ... read more

Valnesfjord Helsesportssenter is an institution that works with people of all ages with disabilities. Norway has an amazing system of healthcare, things are very expensive here, lots of tax. However, going to the hospital for any reason, or any time of medical thing or rehabilitation is all free - you don't even need a health card. Norwegians think that the idea of "suing" other people is crazy. Seriously - they don't understand it. But the good news is that they think it's all an American thing.. as one girl said "the americans - aren't they the ones who walk around suing each other" I try to encourage this way of thinking. Anyways, this institution is free for people with disabilities - it would be prescribed by their physician and then they come here to stay. The ... read more