This is a long weekend for students. Most students left early this afternoon and will return on Sunday.
This big house is very quiet! Couple of co-workers here while others have plans to travel around the country and stay at hostels. Camphill is a good gig for young people!
As each student was leaving, I had a chance to say hello to their parents and catch a small glimpse of their life outside of Dunshane as they were all talking about what they would do over the weekend.
I think I'm attached to each of the students already.
These are my early impressions of the students of Teach Na Greine:
Aine O., or little Aine - very short, chatty and a little bossy, like Ella. In fact, Aine O. and Ella knock heads once in a while. Favorite saying "I am happy today." Her birthday is in December and she's already told me one hundred times that she wants vegetable lasagna, with carrots, for lunch on her birthday. Her mother told me she weighed mere ounces at birth and was not expected to live through the day. She's 28.
Aine R., or big Aine - likes to be in the middle of things, talks a lot to make connections, lazy, pages of dietary restrictions, good sense of humor, beautiful red hair. Favorite saying "What time did you wake up today?" and, to me, "You look nice today Sophie." Williams syndrome.
Rachel - pretty, quiet, shy, withdrawn, rare but beautiful smile, loves High School Musical and teen pop-culture. Her father played rugby with Bill last weekend. Her sister is a "Celtic Woman". Down syndrome.
Maggie - lovely. Infectious giggle. Very capable young woman. Works at the coffee shop two days a week. Shy, self-conscious, takes piano lessons. Maggie is like our roommate since her room is part of our apartment. I was not happy to discover that we had a roommate upon our arrival but now I feel entirely comfortable with Maggie. She's very quiet and respectful of our family space and privacy. I'm guessing she has an otherwise undiagnosed mild/moderate intellectual disability. Favorite saying "Shhhh...be quiet Dylan."
Karen - very capable, living in Dunshane for nine years. A wee bit bossy but she's usually right. Knows everyone's schedule and whereabouts all the time. Favorite saying "Well, in Ireland we do it differently because..." Expects to be treated as an adult, as she should be. Enjoys the violin and writing poetry. Reads and writes Braille. Blind; some calcification in the brain and related spacial difficulties, according to her Mom.
Liam - a character. Comes and goes as he pleases and you would easily mistake him for maintenance staff. He clearly identifies with co-workers rather than other students. Gets a kick out of Dylan. Goes home every weekend. Has a reputation for being aggressive when angry on the rare occasion. Private. Favorite saying "Good man, well done, Dylan."
Thomas - hard working, non-verbal, handsome, seems to enjoy watching Ella and Dylan play, beginning to connect with Bill. Sometimes smiles at me. Needs routine and structure including special handshakes at night, fork must match knife, etc. Autism.
Dermot - ah, Dermot. Delightful, childlike, loud, unibrow and crazy hair, asks lots of questions, thinks Bill is great. Loves to play pool and will sometimes play pirate with Dylan, but complains if Dylan hits him too hard. Favorite sayings: "Are you going to school today Mary?" and "Are you done with school yet Mary?" and "Do you want to play pool Mary?" and "Bill? Bill? Billllllllll??????" Sometimes skips and sings on his way to morning gathering. Epilepsy.
Bill getting beat at pool by Dermot:
