The Nature Connection’s top goal in providing programs to people with a wide range of mental and physical disabilities is simply to bring joy to all the participants through sensory experiences. Our sessions are specifically designed to engage all the senses by bringing the natural world inside the four walls of the facility.
Each month our cars pull up, loaded with different plants, animals, and other natural materials that residents may have never experienced before. Imagine the wonder—and delight—of tracing the pattern of turtle’s shell, touching the points of a deer antler, or feeling the tickle of a hermit crab as it pulls itself across your palm. The genuine excitement derived from these activities has made our visits a favorite activity and a true highlight of each resident’s month.
Visual and speech impairments are common among participants, as are severe physical disabilities. For this reason we work closely with caregivers in small group settings, emphasizing one-on-one interactions where volunteers and residents get “totally in the moment.” Our client sites have found these interactions to be powerful motivators for residents working toward their occupational therapy and speech improvement goals. As the clinical director’s quote relates, simply reaching out to pet a rabbit can help an individual progress to increased movement and self-sufficiency in his or her daily life.
The residents’ tremendous sense of humor and willingness to immerse themselves in the curriculum have made these programs among the most rewarding for our volunteers. While many participants can’t verbally express what they think of The Nature Connection, the light in their eyes and the joy in their faces more than tell the story.
Bonding With Antlers, 2018
Additional information about our Programs for Individuals with Disabilities:
- Who We Are
- Our Impact – Client Endorsements
- Sample Program and Seasonal Curriculum
- Program Partners Since 1983
