Someone Else's Shoes
Rachel Rudolph
I created this workbook/guidebook geared towards 4th-8th graders to help teach empathy, advocacy and a proper understanding towards people with disabilities. Empathic teaching on this topic is lacking in these age groups where bonds, friendships and awareness of others are unfolding. Someone Else’s Shoes is designed to enable this younger age group to stay focused, have fun and be able to retain the information in an engaging way. When I was four years old, my older brother was diagnosed with a neurological movement disorder called dystonia. It is a movement disorder that causes involuntary muscle spasms. As far back as I remember, my whole life has revolved around that. Part of my job as a younger sister is to think of my older brother as a superhero whose footsteps I want to follow in. I still have always believed that, but needed to learn how to be there for him as he navigates the world with a physical disability. This is not normally taught or discussed in a manner where kids naturally care or yearn to learn, so I want to change the system for the better.