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| Take Part in a Miracle |
Most of us are quite fortunate to have no awareness of the world
children with language learning disabilities must face. Imagine the
frustrations of class work as these children struggle to grasp what
appears to be easy for others. In some cases, their inability and
embarrassment causes them to turn too much inward seeking solace and
escape. In milder cases, the hurt does not debilitate, but does remain
for life.
Fortunately, many children with these afflictions can learn to live
normal lives without the frustrations that would have been their lot in
the recent past. Sadly, many will live these frustrations unnecessarily.
Advances in research give a better understanding of these problems and
provide methods of teaching children to overcome these difficulties.
Today, teaching professionals are producing results that a decade ago
would have seemed miraculous. Even more encouraging is the news that
advances in this field continue at an accelerating pace.
We now know that when language disorders are recognized at their
earliest stage, the success rate is greatly enhanced. Children who are
diagnosed and begin therapy as preschoolers achieve the highest levels
of success. Unfortunately, this is an age when children are most likely
to not be covered by insurance or eligible for government assistance.
Some children who suffer these difficulties are fortunate enough to have
been born into families who can afford up-to-date treatment for their
problems. Tragic are the many children who must bear this heartache
throughout life because of their parent's inability to pay for costly
therapy. Tragic as well are the heartaches of the parents.
Many are the prayers which parents offer on behalf of these children.
Too often these prayers seem to go unanswered. With early detection and
treatment, a child can often achieve development equal to his or her
peer group.
For our age, and particularly for Freemasons, the ancient derogatory
question "Can anything good come from Nazareth?" has a
different answer than it did 2000 years ago. As Scottish Rite Masons, we
are proud to provide financial assistance to children with language
communication disorders whose parents could not otherwise afford the
treatment that can mean a new life for their children.
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| The Scottish Rite / UMC Language Preschool Program |
The power of language creates the synaptic response whereby we learn
to create our world. Language allows our imaginations to impregnate our
world with the ancient Gods, the great philosophers, the knowledge of
the past, and the dreams of our future.
Every child should have the experience of floating down the Mississippi
with Tom & Huck, to walk with Martin Luther King, Jr., or to know
the triumph of Helen Keller. These and other great adventures should not
remain an unopened book for any child.
Not so long ago the highest goal was to teach children with language
disorders only enough "to get by". More was inconceivable and
less was too often the accomplished result. Our goal is to allow these
children the opportunity to live with the great minds of antiquity, to
know the heroes of the past, and to be creators of the future.
We feel that the language preschool concept is a wonderful tool to aid
in developing the skills needed by children with language disorders. In
January, 2000, the pilot program for the Scottish Rite / UMC Language
Preschool was established. The full preschool program is scheduled to
begin in September, 2000. The program exploits the fact that children
can learn and practice many aspects of language better with other
children than from teachers alone. Fundamental to the Scottish Rite /
UMC Language Preschool is the idea to add typically developed children
as role models for the rest of the class.
Each child receives individual therapy as needed and then returns to the
preschool setting. This atmosphere also encourages the development of
social skills so greatly needed, but often, lacking in the disadvantaged
children whose parents have provided a "protected" environment
for their child.
The Scottish Rite's Robert G. Combs Children's
Disorders Clinic provides scholarships for preschool children who cannot
otherwise afford treatment. All testing and treatment is done by
qualified professionals. Naturally, available regardless of race or
creed.
Through the support of Scottish Rite members of the Columbia Valley,
children who would normally be denied this learning resource are
achieving successes that could only be imagined a few years ago.
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| How you can help eliminate language and learning
problems in children |
Both members and non-members of the Scottish Rite can assist in this
worthy humanitarian effort. Direct donation is one way to assist this
effort. Another way to assist is through estate planning. A bequest to
the Scottish Rite Foundation of Missouri for the R.G.
Combs Clinic can be designated for support of our children's
charity. Gifts, of course, are tax deductible as provided by law.
Children are the hope or our future. Please help us make a significant
contribution to that future.
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