RAINBOW ACRES BLOG

The Neurodevelopmental Approach began in 1940s when a young physical therapist named Glenn Doman was taken under the wing of medical pioneer and brain surgeon, Dr. Temple Fay.  Throughout the following decades they were joined by other physical therapists, nurses, educators, psychologists, psychiatrists and speech therapists.

They initially set out to help brain injured children.  At one point they compared all the children they were able to treat with the ones they had assessed but were not able to follow through with treatment.  They frequently found that the ones who were left to their own devices were much better than the children who were being treated regularly.

They sat down together and consented each in turn to be interrogated by their colleagues as to what methods each used and why and why not other methods.  They concluded that the methods chosen by each were used because that is what each had been taught to do, not necessarily because they knew the methods would work.   This inspired them to set out and discover the means by which they might bring about their goal of rehabilitation for the brain injured.  The group  became a research team studying exactly how children typically develop.  They observed hundreds of children from birth, here in the United States and also in other cultures and other parts of the world.  From indigenous groups in the far north to tribes in the Amazon, they sought the answer to what makes us all function.

After years of research the team finally arrived at 42 steps that everyone goes through in development that makes them function normally.  Collectively, these steps are called the Developmental Profile.  In the weeks to come, we will take a closer look at the Developmental Profile for it is the Profile that provides the basis for our evaluation process.

Check back in to learn more!

I am always amazed at how caring the Ranchers and employees are at Rainbow Acres. They are always ready to show their love and appreciation with a hug and a kind word. This past week, the Ranchers and staff again reminded me of the loving and caring spirit that is shared here at Rainbow.

When I closed my office on on Tuesday, May 4th, there was a note on the door announcing that May 5th was Hug Your Nurse day.  I had no idea who put it there, but it did make me smile.

On my way out, I stopped by a Rancher house, where they all seemed to also know that May 5th was Hug Your Nurse day.  But they didn’t want to wait to give me a hug – they wanted to hug me NOW.  They also wanted assurance that they could hug me on Wednesday as well!

When Wednesday came, I was greeted by a line outside my office of Ranchers waiting to hug their nurse.  It was the same during lunch, even though it was one of the most popular food days – Starlene’s homemade pizza!  All day I received love and affirmation for the job I do daily, and sometimes take for granted.

As it turns out, the sign on my door was written by Rainbow Acres Admissions Coordinator Dee Whitt, who believed that acknowledging the hard work of her fellow employees is important.  She wanted me to be affirmed by the entire Ranch community, and boy was I affirmed!  Only at Rainbow Acres could you begin and end your work day feeling so loved and appreciated for what you do day in and day out.  I am truly blessed.

- Chris Walker
Director of Health & Wellness

This past Sunday, the Rainbow Acres Rancher Choir performed at the United Methodist Church of Sedona, where they lifted their voices in joyful song.  The Rancher Choir often travels to performances across the country.  This past summer, they traveled to Pasadena, CA to perform at the American Baptist Churches USA Biennial gathering.  Their performance at that event garnered a standing ovation – it was difficult not to feel the inspiration filling the room.  The Ranchers draw great joy from sharing their music with others, and it clear wherever they perform that those who listen walk away with some of that joy.

Do you remember the first time you ever held a baby?  What was the experience like for you?  Maybe you thought you might drop him; how fragile the little body seemed to you.  Maybe she was freshly bathed and smelled like clean baby.  For most of us holding an infant who means a great deal to us is a defining moment in our lives.

Now, imagine what you might experience if the sound of a baby’s cry hurt your ears so much it could make you vomit.  How much joy in life would you miss out on?  How distressing would a simple trip to the store become if there crying children around you?

B.D. is a Rancher who experienced such discomfort from crying babies.  Over the last two years, as part of his Neuro Program, we have addressed his auditory sensitivities and have been successful to the degree that a few days ago, for the first time in his life, he was able to hold a baby.  It is a moment I don’t believe he will forget (especially since we were able to grab a picture or two).  A few days after this experience, the baby was visiting us again and started to fuss.  Rather than running away from her, B.D. picked up a Beethoven CD cover and went to show it to her in order to help her quiet down.

I emailed a copy of the pictures to B.D.’s parents and they replied that seeing him hold a baby “brought tears to their eyes” and “was almost unimaginable”.

As one lessens auditory sensitivities and as one lines up dominance so that one is not living in one’s emotionality, the world becomes a better, brighter place.

Ongoing, I would like to take this opportunity to share more of the details of the Neurodevelopmental Approach in an effort to deepen your understanding.  If you have questions feel free to ask and I will do my best to answer.

Sincerely,
Naomi Gray
Coordinator of Neurodevelopmental Therapy

(Naomi can be contacted by emailing naomi@rainbowacres.com)

Rainbow Acres President & CEO Gary Wagner recently gave an interview to Arizona’s RadioShine. To listen to him talk about life at the Rainbow Acres Ranch, click here.

KC’s Family Tae Kwon Do is a popular Camp Verde establishment that teaches the principles of Tae Kwon Do to over 150 students!  KC’s recently began volunteering at Rainbow Acres.  Head instructor and 3rd Degree Black Belt Karen Conover occasionally brings her students out to the Ranch to help the Ranchers with Special Olympics training.  Recently, some Rainbow Ranchers had the opportunity to attend a Tae Kwon Do demonstration event that KC’s put on at the Ranch.

Eight black belt training candidates took part in the event.  They performed a variety of demonstrations with names like the Start Spangled Banner and Exodus.  They also demonstrated some traditional Tae Kwon Do forms, as well as balance, focus and skill exercises.

At this event, the Ranchers learned some very informative things about martial arts and Tae Kwon Do.  For example, Tae Kwon Do comes from South Korea and is used only for defending oneself.  It is heavily reliant upon the values of honesty, respect and friendship.  These are values that Rainbow Ranchers and employees strive to live by each and every day, and it was interesting learning how they can be applied to things like sports and physical activity.

Both the Ranchers and the demonstrators had a wonderful time, and look forward to continuing a partnership in physical, mental and emotional health. To learn more about KC’s Family Tae Kwon Do, visit their website at www.kcfamilytkd.com.

At Rainbow Acres, we are motivated and inspired every day by our Ranchers.  We strive to recognize them individually for their accomplishments and the spirit they bring to the Ranch.

The Rancher for the month of March is Rick!

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Rick’s birthday is June 8.  He came to Rainbow in 1998.

Rick is a very social fellow, and enjoys speaking to many different people about many different things.  He is a great conversationalist!

Rick also like music, travel and good food.  He likes food so much that he is an integral part of the Ranch kitchen crew.  He is also an avid member of the Special Olympics bowling team.

After a long day, Rick enjoys kicking back and enjoying a good steak.

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We appreciate Rick’s contribution to the Ranch, and we look forward to sharing more Rancher stories with you!

It is Special Olympics season at Rainbow Acres, and many of the Ranchers are hard at work training and competing in various athletic events.  For some of these Ranchers, the Special Olympics are a highlight!  They wait all year for the chance to compete in regional and national competitions.  Brent, a Rancher, especially looks forward to the opportunity to represent Rainbow Acres, and Arizona, in national events this coming summer.  Such is his excitement that he is keen to provide regular updates about the progress of the various Rainbow Acres teams.  He offers the following update on the basketball team:

The Rainbow Acres Special Olympic Basketball Teams got Gold medals at the 2010 regional Basketball tourney last Saturday.  [Rancher] Greg led the A team in scoring and [Rancher] Jeff led the B team in scoring.  Next up is the state Basketball tournament  down in Mesa AZ.   – Brent Peterson, Rainbow Acres Rancher

The Special Olympics are not just a fun activity for the Ranchers.  They also play an important role in daily health and wellness on the Ranch.  Training for and competing in sports allows Ranchers to improve their agility, flexibility, reflexes and overall physical health.  It is the daily goal of Ranch employees to encourage Ranchers to eat well and exercise often to ensure that they are living life to their fullest physical potential.

At Rainbow Acres, lunch is a community activity.  Ranchers and employees gather in the communal dining hall and eat together.  It is a great time to check in with friends and share news, stories and current events with one another.  Lunch is always a lovely time.

Occasionally, this community lunch time is used to benefit those in need.  Employees provide a special treat, for a small fee, to raise money for a worthy cause.  Most recently, Rainbow  held a chili cook-off to benefit victims of the January earthquake that devastated Haiti.

Employees brought every kind of chili you could ask for – traditional chili, green chili, chicken chili, veggie chili, even a cinnamon chili!  You name it, and we probably had it.  Each chili chef had to convince people to try and vote for their personal concoction.  Ranchers, employees and volunteers were all bribed with promises of secret and exotic ingredients.

At the end of the day, there was a winner for best chili, but everyone knew that who won was not what ultimately mattered.  This cook-off was to benefit some of the people who have been affected by the earthquake in Haiti.  Everyone who participated helped to raise over $300 that will go to help a Haitian orphanage.

At Rainbow, we believe it is important to acknowledge all we have been blessed with, and share those blessings with others in need.