:-:><:-:><:-:><:-: NOTICES for care professionals, weavers, educators and interested people :-:><:-:><:-:><:-:

NOTICES
for
those who help, those who teach,
for parents, family, friends,
for Enthousiasts, and for Weavers

Hello and
As we say in France: BIENVENU.

If you wondered about the introduction, then I'll explain ...

I work in a day activity center, with adults who have severe learning disabilities. We, the employees, have various professional qualifications to cover many needs of the disabled person. Every day there are 'éducateur spécialisé' and 'moniteur-éducateur' on site, some days we also have a psychologist, a psychomotricienne, an animateur.
I am the only A.M.P. (aide médico-psychologique). I am professionally close to the person I work with, observe, think about why they might have difficulties in certain situations and how I can improve things for them. Sometimes I need to find ways around problems immediately, sometimes there is time to discuss with the person what I have observed and how I think we can work together to reduce the problems encountered, sometimes I discuss these with colleagues to get more information and indications to help better. I often need to work with an individual over a long period to help learning, doing, maintaining skills and knowledge. I liaise with colleagues and follow any special project for the person in difficulty.
I then help the disabled persons to do things for themselves as much as possible, to discover that difficulties can often be overcome through work, good will, patience and courage on their part, aspects with which I can often help.This allows to maintain and learn skills, discover new acitivities.


My speciality at work... ** I know and am interested in, many 'traditional' and 'modern' art/craft techniques, which I make use of in the "creative" activities I propose;
** then adapting my approach as well as the technique and materials/equipment to the physical and mental disability of each person as much as is reasonable and possible
** encourageing each person to try new things and put all chances for satisfaction, pride and achievement their way; one of the satisfying results for the person is the recognition they gain within the groups and at home when they have achieved something.

In 2004 I wanted to propose a 'weaving' activity, not to any high 'hobby' standard but as another, rarely used, creative technique: to improve manual skills, observation skills, memorisation, and of course to create something original, attractive, something that belongs to the person. In an 'art' environment they also have to overcome preconceived ideas as to where and how items and objects 'must' be used, thus enabling them to create something original, attractive, maybe with unusual materials, and expressing themselves through this creation. Attention and patience, willingness to listen and concentrate and have confidence in what I say and the confidence to 'experiment and discover', are all necessary; "time span", "continuity" and commitment/engagement are important aspects; some forward planning will be part of their learning and working, as will be the continuous effort regarding their work, the respect of the efforts and work done by others, and their behaviour in the studio and handling of materials and equipment. Some people could go on to weaving with threads and yarns to make 'fabrics' which might be worn or used.

- * - * - * - * - * - * -
At first I looked for books and leaflets with photos and designs showing weaving, actions, objects, products. I wanted easy-to-understand language, realistic but uncluttered images.
I was surprised that nothing suitable was available, and decided to write the book I did not find. I began searching the internet but did not find exactly what I thought would be helpful to the people I work with. I found many good sites, from professionals and amateurs, and I 'met' some very interesting and thoughtful weavers and webmasters. I decided that it was necessary to write a site. I hope that my site contains clear and interesting information, useful basic and exciting contents. And that it encourages "my" weavers to accept the commitment of several months' continuing concentration and work.

I shall use the site as "a book and a lesson" to show to the people I work with that they can look and learn, and go back to this source to refresh their memory. This might reduce their apprehension and give them something to look forward to. I hope it transmits to special needs adults the idea that they can try weaving and succeed.

I hope that you, too, will find it interesting or useful in your own work. If you want the book then you will have to wait a while, I am working on it.

While all is written in English I think that the images and animations will transmit to non-English speakers how to weave. Please use my guest book to give your impressions, the forum to share information. For more 'personal' critique, contacts, requests please email me. Thank you.

 

To the weaver's shed?

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