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''COMPUTER TEACHER''
Bethany Schwarz
---Bethany brought everyone into her comfort zone with the computer. Her knowingness and facility was communicated to all she met. She had one woman on Facebook viewing postings from her daughter…and writing messages. Setting up Skype for another and downloading a program he may find relevant in a class he is taking. A patient with memory challenges finding and singing old DOORS songs who remembers them from his youth. He asked that she write her name on the white erase board provided in each room. He said, ‘’I don’t want to forget her.’’ He thanked me, also, for bringing her by. Kiddingly…she gave him an A+ for his work…and made his day (if not his year) in the process.
---Her last resident of the day was a robust, blind, Irishman (brogue and all.) His daughter is a doctor of linguistics in a university in Spain. She found and read a profile on her while finding different books that he was interested in…on Amazon. She was aware of both the university and some of the authors of the books he was seeking. He said that she was like an answer to his prayers. He is very astute…but, so is she.
---My ‘’take’’ on all this is that in the world of computers, knowing the solution to the particular question…is enough. It seems to be evolving that way. At Laguna Honda we have many, many residents from a cross section of the world that isn’t long on achievement. Bethany, and many others…understand all this. A lot of the folks NEVER got the chance to achieve in a big way. Sometimes…in any way. Sweeping the lot ‘’under-the-rug’’ is much easier than actually talking with them…according to some. It so nice to see that this idea is NOT UNIVERSAL and doesn’t belong to everyone. The computer seems to be a/the tool that could break the ice for some of the folks and make them buoyant. That would be quite an achievement. It certainly has the POTENTIAL, if we use yesterday as an indicator. When people get on that wavelength of feeling good, comfortable and truly interested in the subject that they are pursuing…suddenly the sky becomes their limit. Folks can activate their imagination…changing worry back to wonder, where it may work in their favor…again.
---Thanks, Bethany. The Laguna Honda Computer Club is fortunate to have you. That thanks goes to Marie Jobling and the Community Living Campaign and ALL its friends…as well. You work very hard for us to do well. Due to her schedule, Bethany is going to work four hours per week with us.
POSTED: October 28, 2012...Originally.
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