Students from Hancock, Brooks, and Taft High Schools have been spending their last 10-12 weeks working with senior citizens with Alzheimer's. The program, Memory Bridge, helps student learn about the physical and social implications of Alzheimer's then develop relationships with senior citizens at care facilities. Memory Bridge has been active in Chicago Public Schools has been active for the past five years, enabling hundreds of students to learn much about the human brain, Alzheimer's, and their own capacity to engage in meaningful relationships with senior citizens in their communities. Students come away from the experience with new outlooks on their own skills, interests, and relational abilities.
During the final visit to the senior center, students prepare a gift for their senior citizen buddy, present these mostly hand-made gifts, then sing together with the seniors. Music is a powerful source to connect people with their memories and with each other.
Many thanks to the teachers - Catherine Yackee, Lynn Santoyo, Donald Davis, and Katrina Vafakos for their extra time and effort in facilitating such an important and powerful program with their sudents.
My name is Samone and my experience at Memory Bridge was unique and extremely beneficial. Due to my time spent with my buddy I have had a new outlook on life. Through Memory Bridge I have had great conversations and got a chance to meet and learn about new people. I was also able to become more familiar with Alzheimer's disease and the effects of it. The program allowed me to improve on my listening abilities and, in a way, helped me become a better friend to others. I am glad I decided to participate in this program and hope that others partake in Memory Bridge as well.
ReplyDeleteMy name is Alexis and my experience in the Memory Bridge was extraordinary and useful. Every meeting we had with our buddy was a blessing. It was incredible to know another person's life and their memory. It was nice to help connect the bridge of their memory and see what period of their life they remember. I learned so much during the time of the program. My communication skills improved by having more patience and keeping a conversation alive. I also learn about the disease itself and how the brain works and it's parts and duties . It is very beneficial because I can help others such as my family to communicate and help them connect their bridge of memory. I am grateful to participate in such a great program!
ReplyDeleteHi, My name is Brianna. This year i decided to participate in Memory Bridge, and it was a wonderful, enlightening, and learning experience for me. My experience with Memory Bridge made me feel motivated to get out in the community and truly engage in more programs similar to this. Each week (with the exception of 2 meetings where learned about Alzheimer's disease) we went to Montgomery Place to meet with our buddy. The first meeting I was nervous, but once I met my Buddy (Joe) I was extremely comfortable. I learned a lot about the Chicago Public School System and its programs for the Special Ed children. I also learned about some of the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen. When we went to visit out buddies, their faces would be filled with delight as we entered the room. Visiting the seniors is important because young people fail to realize that they have had a profound effect on our life today and all they truly want is for someone to talk with them, help them remember the little things of the past and present. Memory bridge definitely made me more aware of the complexities involved in Alzheimer's disease. Memory bridge made me more appreciative of the special times that I am able to have with my grandparents. this project brought to my attention that teenagers don't acknowledge how little things like calling your grandmother and saying 'I Love You' can truly have on them on any given day. The most challenging experience I had during Memory Bridge was dealing with the silences and attempting to fill those voids with small talk with the possibilty that my buddy might not wasnt to talk anymore. Overall, Memory Bridge was an experience that I recommend for many other students to particpate in. I am so happy that I chose to do Memory Bridge!
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Emmanuel Valtierra. When I first heard about Memory Bridge, I knew that I wanted to take part in this learning experience. It was amazing to visit my buddy each week and engage in a very interesting conversation. I was able to learn a lot about my buddy and I noticed that she enjoyed talking about her cat and daughter. My partner Genesis and I found it wonderful to see Carolyn and Ron still together, even with Alzheimer's. As I reflect on this experience, I realize how heartbreaking it is to see someone begin to forget so much of their life, especially their loved ones. Taking part in this program also gave me a better understanding of Alzheimer's; I have always been curious about the disease since one of my great aunts had to go through it as well. Overall, this was a life changing experience and I'm glad I took the time to participate in this program. I also strongly encourage others to partake in this program.
ReplyDeleteI was able to participate in this program through my school, Brooks, and I can honestly say i truly enjoyed it. My great-grandmother has dementia. Through this program, I was able to learn more about what is going on with her and how I can help her through it. It was so nice to go to the nursing home and speak with my buddy. She was always smiling and very passionate about education. She was funny and a real joy to visit. I really enjoyed the past few weeks I have been able to spend with her. I am more than willing to do it again next year.
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Hello, my name is Alexandra Vazquez. This year I participated in memory bridge for the first time, and looking back i'm very glad I did. Having had family with Alzheimer's this program really interested me I being able to not only learn more about the illness but spend time with people who had it. I very much enjoyed having chats with my buddy and learning all about his life and family. I learned so much, it was amazing that he had been in the Vietnam War, although he tragically lost sight in one of his eyes during the war. He was an extremely wise man that was lucky enough to live a full life and travel the world. Tragically his wife had passed away recently, but he still had children and grandchildren that visited him. I was also able to spend time with a very nice wise women who offered great advice. She was happy to share her wisdom and answer any questions I might have. The experience I had was great, I will never forget it. :)
ReplyDeleteHello, my name is Cynthia Chavez, and I participated in the memory bridge program this year. Every week i looked forward to visiting the lady assigned to me, as she reminded me of my grandma, and was very understanding. I learned to keep a conversation going, and also to be a good listener. I learned a lot from her, and also of how Alzheimer affects the human brain. I had never met anyone with it before. So yes, it was a great experience & will always keep me looking back and remembering our conversations. Thanks to this program I learned, experienced , and added a new memory to my list.(:
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving us this opportunity.
So excited to hear the posts from the students. Really nice and sometimes unexpected things can happen when you bring people together, even if those circumstances are a bit awkward or unusual at first. Creating public spaces where individuals can encounter each other, listen to each other, learn from each other...the good stuff of life. Very impressed with the thoughtful comments from the Brooks students. Thanks for adding your thoughts and feelings here. You're creating bridges in ways that are more powerful than any of us can truly surmise. Keep making the world a bit better.
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