|
 Wherever
we lived, I kept a close association with the children around the
neighborhood in order for Rhonda to have playmates. Children have such an
extraordinary acceptance of a child with a disability it almost goes to
something deeper and is harder to understand. In all the years we were
around children there were very few children who were aggressive. Usually
it was children who came from disturbed family situations to be a problem
and we just avoided those. Not to say a disturbed family always had
anything to do with the way they reacted to Rhonda. Sometimes, those
children were ready to find a safe haven with this protected child.
These children in this
picture were considerate to the utmost. They would devise games so Rhonda
would not have to actively run and play with them, actually taking turns
playing with her. I never interrupted their play, because they needed no
instruction. It was really always uncanny the way children immediately
came acquainted and were loving. How inventive play was set up so as to
include Rhonda was a joy to see.
This grassy area where the
children are sitting was very pleasant. It was a courtyard surrounded on
three sides by the swimming pool and the apartments on both sides. This
was in Irving, Texas. The town then was then 10,000 population. Some years
later it was 120,000. I have no idea what it is today in 2002.
Rodney worked and I spent
time with the children. We became acquainted with people there and a lot
of my time was spent reading and studying my books on art while I sat with
the children and friends. Some of my life long friends were made there.
Rhonda was in therapy at
Dallas Society for Crippled Children and was chosen to be the Easter Seal
girl there that year. Rodney was working at night and he drove her to
downtown Dallas every day for that therapy. It was a good little drive but
traffic wasn't like it is now. The highways were good and all roads led to
downtown.
Since Irving set out a
distance from his work and also for others living there Rodney bought a
van and hauled passengers back and forth. He made enough money from that
to pay for the new van. It was true we had problems with Rhonda, but we
were young and we loved her so much. It really wasn't that hard to live
through. In fact we were treated so well it was a very joyful memory we
have. |
