Monday, October 30, 2006

Nothing Like Authenticity

Once monthly, my agency coordinates a social outing for the the people with disabilities (PwD) we serve. Movies, miniature golf, dinner, Six Flags, Dave & Buster's... you get the idea. In October, a Halloween party is the logical, minimal-effort activity. This year, tonight in fact, the party took the form of pizza, treats, painting small gourds, and a costume contest.

One PwD wanted to attend but told her case manager she didn't feel she could spend money on a costume. The staff person, one I've raved about before, suggested creativity could substitute for expense. After some discussion, the PwD agreed that masquerading as a baby sounded like fun... but she wasn't sure how to go about it.
Staff: Well, we can put your hair in pigtails, draw freckles on your face... and you can carry a stuffed animal or a baby rattle. Oh, and you can wrap a big white towel around you like a diaper.

PwD: Why don't I just put one of my own diapers on outside of my pants?
Damned if she didn't do it, too. When the other PwDs voted, she won for best costume.

.

11 comments:

Syd said...

Oh dear God! No pictures? Wait... never mind.

Teresa said...

Three cheers for the refreshing lack of self-consciousness certain disabilities allow.

weese said...

ha!
fantastic.

sporksforall said...

I would have voted for her, too. Verisimilitude rocks.

KMae said...

You & the others that work with PwD's are ANGELS! God bless you ALL.

Middle Girl said...

Excellent! She certainly would have gotten my vote.

SassyFemme said...

Creative thinking on her part!

Val said...

Love stories like this. And I agree with Kmae... it takes a special kind of person to do what you do. Be proud of yourself.

Suzanne said...

I'd really like to have seen the look on the staff member's face when PwD proposed using her own diaper.

Anonymous said...

That is SO GREAT! HOW FUNNY! Good for her!

LeLo said...

Sweet!