A Year of Re-Imagining Potential

I had no idea that over a year later my blog would serve as a beacon for parents and educators who might be looking for an alternative learning experience for children, youth, and adults with complex learning and behavioral difficulties, including autism.

I received an email a couple of months ago from two women, Patti Russell from Florida and Cindy Powers from Colorado, both Waldorf School Teachers.  Patti said she had read my blog describing my experience at Ruskin Mill Trust  (RMT) in the UK and wanted to know more.  She posed several questions about the school, the MSc program in Practical Skills Therapy Education (PSTE) that was being offered, and living abroad.  I wrote back a book!

My experience at RMT was so profound:  I was thoroughly impressed with the RMT college educators, the passion and dedication of the staff and employees towards the cause, and the incredible progress the students were making with their challenges when the learning focus is directed at “re-imagining potential” in every child.  I couldn’t help but feel, “We need something like this back home!”  

That is Patti and Cindy’s goal:  I am thrilled to report that both Patti and Cindy have enrolled in the PSTE’s year-long program.  In addition, Patti’s 16 year old son, Sean M. Russell, has been accepted as a student at one of Ruskin Mill Trust’s three colleges.  Sean is very excited about what he will be learning and will be keeping a blog of his experience to educate and inspire others of his personal journey.

A Year of Re-Imagining Potential:   Supporting our three crusaders from the US to UK for their hands-on training and research is so easy, and any amount of support is deeply appreciated.  They have established the Ariel Community Foundation for their quest and created a site at YouCaring.org to help them make their educational pursuits a reality.

Patti, Cindy, and Sean’s educational journey begins this Fall.  You can read their personal stories and devotion to their cause at the YouCaring site.

You can donate at YouCaring.org HERE!

Thank you with all my heart!

Barbara Bonardi

Photo Credits:  Retrieved from Run of the Mill Magazine, William Mercer (Editor) and Richard Thatcher (Editorial Assistant & Former Ruskin Mill Trust Student). You can download prior issues online from Summer 2010-2013.

TEACHERS, PARENTS, STUDENTS:  For more information on the MSc Practical Skills Therapy Education (PSTE) program, click on this link.

SEAN’s BLOG:  If you know of anyone that may be inspired by Sean’s journey to England to study with other autistic youth, please pass it along.   Thank you!

Sean’s Blog Link:  http://smrussell97.wordpress.com

20 Jul This entry was published on July 20, 2013 at 7:34 am. It’s filed under Fundraising, Higher Education - MSc in PSTE, Practical Skills Therapeutic Education, PSTE, Re-Imagining Potential, Ruskin Mill Trust Colleges, YouCaring.org and tagged Ariel Community Foundation, autism, behavioral difficulties, Cindy Powers, complex learning, MSc PSTE, Patti Russell, PSTE, RMT, Run of the Mill Magazine, Sean M. Russell, YouCaring.org. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post.