Bliss-weekends in Netherlands and Belgium

Ever since we started working with Bliss-symbols we have been working together with the two countries. Shortly after the Netherlands, Belgium started in the seventies to work with the Bliss-symbols. Since we (almost) speak the same language we have had a lot of contact. We have been using the same materials and organized workshops and meetings where professionals from both countries participated.

Sometimes the real Bliss-people met. I remember the official presentation of the Bliss-voice, the first Dutch speaking machine! We had at least 2 occasions where people who use Bliss-voices met each other. But it wasn't much.

For the last 5 years we have had a yearly meeting of Bliss users. The first weekend we had 14 users. They all brought some people, parents, brothers and sisters, therapists, and teachers and we soon had a group of 50 people working and talking with Bliss-symbols. The participants ranged in age from 8 to 45. It was great to see the interaction between the 'grown up' Bliss-users and the little ones. The first weekend was a great success. We then decided to organize a weekend every year. Last March we had our 5^th weekend. We had to stop when we had 30 participants. That's all we can cope for a whole weekend.

The people arrive during Friday afternoon and leave Sunday after lunch. We are very lucky that we can use the accommodation of a Belgium health insurance organization. We can use their facilities, building but also volunteers and caregivers.

The last weekend was all about ART. Every school or institution that organize part of the program used 1 or more types of art. We had painting, sculpture, photography, poetry, music. Just everything you can think of.

The Bliss-users vary a lot, both in age as in capabilities. There were always 3 parallel programs, if possible all using the same item but linked to the different levels and areas of interest.

The parts I really liked were the game (the only thing where everybody participated together) Just imagine 100 people (of whom at least 20 in big electric wheelchairs) running and moving around to get from one place to another as quickly as possible. I also enjoyed the meeting I had with the adults where we philosophized about feeling and thoughts we had when listening to music. From hard rock to classical violins. The discussions were heavy!

But the best part, in my eyes, are always the not organized meeting between people. The discussion of the mother of a 9 year old boy with a adult Bliss-user about the need and usefulness of operations to minimize drooling, was a real eye opener!

It is great to see and participate in the interaction between adult Bliss-users and parents of young children. It gives the parents a view in what the future of their child can be. It gives young Bliss-users a perspective on their own future. How often do they meet adult handicapped people?

I can think of many more reasons why I really like these (and other) meetings with O.C.-users other than the ones I work with. But I must not forget a very important item. It is FUN!!!!