The document discusses the author's experience participating in an online scrapbooking club that sent care packages to troops in Iraq. The club was led by Sarah, a woman with cognitive disabilities who wanted to do something for troops. Initially, the author was unsure what to expect from Sarah due to her disabilities. Through weekly meetings, the author and others helped Sarah plan and carry out the project. They were able to see Sarah and another member through video chat during meetings. The group worked collaboratively to collect donations and items to send to a squad of 11 men stationed in Iraq. The author reflected on learning not to focus on people's disabilities but their abilities and character.

1. Caring For Our Troops Lisa A. Weber webldkcsjr@knights.ucf.edu EEX 4070

2. Early Perceptions When I first started my service learning project, I originally had planned to educate people, about the roles of service dogs and children. I have never really worked with children or adults with disabilities. I have a niece with mild cerebral palsy, but she really doesn’t require too much assistance. I have a daughter with learning disabilities and auditory processing disorder. My preconceived notion about disabilities, was really thinking that that meant people with physical or mental disabilities; learning disabilities did not fit in my realm of thinking, prior to taking this course. However, I soon found myself with my own dilemma. My youngest son, then 17 months old, was red-flagged by Early Steps, for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now, I was facing the real possibility of having my own child with special needs. Between all my college courses, taking care of my four other children and now taking my youngest to doctor appointments and therapy, I found that I needed to find an online group. I was invited to join the scrapbooking club for the military. I really liked the idea of helping either some of our troops or their families; they do so much for us, and it was a wonderful opportunity to give back. There was a young woman, Sarah, with cognitive disabilities, who wanted to do something for our troops in Iraq. She was torn between scrapbooking with military families or sending care packages to Iraq. She needed help planning and carrying out her mission. Before I attended the first meeting, I did not really understand what cognitive disabilities really meant. I did not know at that time, what her capabilities were and I was honestly, a little unsure of what to expect.

3. Introduction to the Setting Thursday Nights Online 9pm-10pm Left to Right: Daniel, Alisa, Sarah G., Lisa (Me), Natasha, and Nikki Through use of webcam, we were able to see Sarah Gorley and Alisa Barrios. Everyone else would type their responses as we planned and agreed to our part in the project. We met weekly for an hour, for two months. Each week we would see where we were on our timeline, and share our progress.

5. Squad: 11 males 0 Females

6. Stationed: Somewhere in Iraq

7. Originally From:

9. Engagement Activities

11. Asked Nikki and Natasha to join our group

12. Worked collaboratively with group on decision-making

13. Asked other community members to collect cans

14. Chose role of finding out items to send troops

15. Found out addresses to send items

16. Shopped with group at Target for items ($213 plus $50 Publix card collected)

18. Reflection I really enjoyed this opportunity to work collaboratively, to help Sarah Gorley carry out her idea, of sending care packages to some of our troops, in Iraq. She worked very hard on her part of the project, and was always prepared. I was amazed at her organization! This experience made me realize that I need to look more at a person’s abilities, rather than their disabilities. Their disabilities are not what define the person; their character does!