CMDS 2015 Mexico Service Experience
Donation protected
On May 17, 2015, twenty-five Truman communication disorders students (a mix of juniors, seniors and graduate students) along with 2 faculty & 2 adjunct supervisors will leave for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the 5th annual CMDS Experience in Mexico course! For nine days, the students will immerse themselves in bi-lingual language-enriched activities; provide oral mechanism, hearing, dysphagia/feeding and language screenings as well as caregiver education and assistance in three sites in Puerto Vallarta. These sites include an orphanage, a daycare for children with severe disabilities and a special school district.
Every year, faculty, outside donors, and our student organization CODA, have graciously donated items and money to provide needed materials for the students to use with the children as well as donations for the daycare, Pasitos de Luz, a free childcare service for children with severe disabilities. In previous years, our donations have purchased a food processor to puree’ foods for the children, 200 face towels to aid with feeding, a copy machine to assist in making materials such as picture exchange systems, cans of needed thickener, basic medications and supplies such as aspirin, assisted feeding cups and spoons and monetary donations to help off-set costs in providing the free services to the families they serve. We have developed a strong bond with the staff at Pasitos de Luz and continue communication throughout the year. Many students have expressed that this Mexico immersion hands-on experience has changed their lives in many ways, has strengthened their passion to serve in the field of communication disorders and has provided vital skills for future internships and employment. A transformative experience to say the least!
We are now preparing our twenty-five students for their turn at this opportunity of a lifetime experience and reaching out to you, our alumni of the Mexico Experience program & our friends of the department, to raise funds to purchase bi-lingual books, toys to aid in our bi-lingual language-enriched activities, oral-mech and hearing screening supplies, craft supplies, and to provide needed materials to leave with each site for continued use after our departure. Muchas Gracias!!
Every year, faculty, outside donors, and our student organization CODA, have graciously donated items and money to provide needed materials for the students to use with the children as well as donations for the daycare, Pasitos de Luz, a free childcare service for children with severe disabilities. In previous years, our donations have purchased a food processor to puree’ foods for the children, 200 face towels to aid with feeding, a copy machine to assist in making materials such as picture exchange systems, cans of needed thickener, basic medications and supplies such as aspirin, assisted feeding cups and spoons and monetary donations to help off-set costs in providing the free services to the families they serve. We have developed a strong bond with the staff at Pasitos de Luz and continue communication throughout the year. Many students have expressed that this Mexico immersion hands-on experience has changed their lives in many ways, has strengthened their passion to serve in the field of communication disorders and has provided vital skills for future internships and employment. A transformative experience to say the least!
We are now preparing our twenty-five students for their turn at this opportunity of a lifetime experience and reaching out to you, our alumni of the Mexico Experience program & our friends of the department, to raise funds to purchase bi-lingual books, toys to aid in our bi-lingual language-enriched activities, oral-mech and hearing screening supplies, craft supplies, and to provide needed materials to leave with each site for continued use after our departure. Muchas Gracias!!
Organizer
Anna Marie Sims
Organizer
Kirksville, MO