LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Students at Ohio State Lima got a hands-on lesson in empathy by stepping into the shoes of someone living with a disability.
The “Mission KIND” (Kids Impacted by Needs and Disabilities) event featured interactive stations where students experienced challenges related to conditions such as ADHD, autism, mental health and physical impairments.
From using wheelchairs and crutches to navigating tasks with limited vision, organizers say the goal was to give students a better understanding of what others face every day.
“You don't know what you don't know. And if you're not faced with these challenges every day, you might not realize the struggle that some people go through just to go through the normal routines of every day,” said Trisha Klausing, an occupational therapist with PT Services and Ottawa-Glandorf schools. “March is Disability Awareness Month, which is why we think it's a great time for us to highlight the importance of this, and just to have the students just be a little more empathetic.”
Klausing added that the program has been brought to several schools across the region. Teachers or administrators interested in hosting the event can contact Klausing at klausing.t@ottawaglandorf.org.
