Helping the handicapped in Siedlce, Poland

"For three weeks, I taught English at a center for both physically and mentally handicapped adults. The mornings were spent with the physically handicapped -- some of them could barely speak, and it was often very slow work. With the mentally handicapped, the mental range was very wide. Most of the time, we colored, read books, sang songs or danced ("Hokey Pokey" was their favorite). They seemed to enjoy just having someone pay attention to them. One young woman, Agnes, had a beautiful singing voice. At my good-bye party, she gave me an autographed CD of her songs. People really are the same no matter where you go. We speak different languages, but we share the same interests and concerns." -- Pat Kalicki, 71, Vienna, Illinois