Here's a link to another MAP resources site in Canada (which is where this process originated).  It is more about making inclusion and mainstreaming happen, which is less our issue than planning, but it does a good job of thinking creatively about the process.

I particularly like The Ethics of Inclusion, which states boldly the Dellusions of inclusion.  http://www.inclusion.com/inclusion.html#ethics We are not in this to make everyone happy or for everyone to love everyone.  We are in this to say: Eli is part of the community and the community must work.  Therefore, we have to openly talk about what will make it work for both the community and for Eli.  It's the talking and openness that is key.

But in order to do that, we have to be aware of our own fears and biases and assumptions and be ready, if not to challenge them, then at least to state what they are and understand how they color our views and influence our behaviors.  And to the extent those biases create problems, we have to own the problems they create.

Poke around on the site...there are tons of great tools and reflections.

Creating Eli's Story, so far . . .

What is your story with Eli?

Some questions that will help frame your "Eli" story are:

From your perspective first:

• Where did it start? When did it start?
• What happened at the beginning of your story that is memorable, emotional, challenging, curious?
• How would you describe your story? Is it full and lengthy? Episodic? A mystery? Poetic? Cryptic? Sad?
• What are the most important or climactic moments? Turning points?
• Are there gaps in your story? What are they? Who do you think has that part of the story?

Eli at his piano recital in November.
Piano! Two-hands! Who knew?

Now, what is your story from Eli's perspective?

• How does he know you? How would he describe you (or the organization or group you represent)? 
• How does he interact with you now? What doesn't he do? 
• How has your relationship changed since your story began?

If this question inspires you, go with it.  Let it inform your dreams, fears, plans, questions about Eli's future and your own future with him.

Five Steps forward...the MAP outline

With yesterday's poetic (and somewhat lengthy) preface, I have put the MAP Process outline below.  Again, I will take these apart over the next few weeks and give you space and time to think and share.  But by way of introduction, here's the overall framework.

Update* : When I copied this list from the materials I had, I did not mean to copy the part about whose input went with each step.  I hope everyone will contribute to every step! 

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Five steps of the MAPS process. 

The facilitator gathers ideas from the participants on the following areas as input towards adopting a life vision for the student which may include goals for:

• education, 
• employment, 
• independent living and 
• community participation

Areas 

1. HISTORY: a short description of the background and individual circumstances that led you here today.  Include significant events and identifying qualities.

2. DREAMS: a vision of things you would like to see happening as you expand your vision of Eli in the near and long term future. Dream big!  Do not curtail your dreams for Eli with “realistic goals”—that happens in steps 4 and 5 of the process.  Ask yourself, what would be the greatest future you could imagine.

3. FEARS: a description of your worries or concerns about Eli’s future.  What hazards and barriers do you see?  Where might people, places, or limits on experiences, skills, or resources stand in the way of realizing whatever goals Eli has before him?

4. WHO AM I / STUDENT CHARACTERISTICS: a description of yourself, including the strengths, skills, likes, and values you perceive in Eli.  What words best describe Eli? What skills, gifts, and talents will support Eli’s journey toward his goals?  What other skills and talents will Eli need? What do you like/dislike about Eli’s current situation? What values and beliefs guide Eli’s life and work and guide your role as a person supporting Eli’s development and future?

5. NEEDS: a description of the things that need to happen to help make the vision for Eli’s future come true.  This list will include new experiences, skills, or resources and support that Eli will need.

Once these inputs are gathered, the team will work together with the family and student to make short- and long-term plans for the student.  

The MAPS process will continue to be a guiding instrument for academic planning, extra-curricular activities, financial planning and family communication with stakeholders in Eli’s community.

I have found myself thinking this weekend about maps and mapping.  Every time I write an email to someone to invite them here, I tell them we will be "mapping Eli's future."  What I mean I guess is that we are making plans for his future.  We are setting down the steps we will take to get from Here to There.  


In actuality, though, I know this is a process that requires a bit of assumption and a lot of guessing.  "We think we might be somewhere around here.  And, we really hope that some day we will find ourselves here.  So, assuming our measurements and calculations are correct, this is one of the five hundred ways we could traverse the territory between Here and There...hope there aren't too many alligators!"


This kind of uncertainty requires an injection of courage and hope and must allow at least a little room for doubt and humor and humility.  In short we need assurance that to engage in this process isn't so foolish that it is pointless.  We need to agree that we will try the best we can, we will adjust along the way and we will forgive ourselves the mistakes that will inevitably plague this effort.


Miroslav Holub says in his poem, "Wings" that we get our wings from our maps and tell ourselves that what matters are our grand projects: ". . . a map of the universe for microbes" or "a map of a microbe for the universe."  Ultimately, though, it is the small projects and the searching that makes life worthwhile:

the ability
to sort peas,
to cup water in our hands,
to seek
the right screw
under the sofa
for hours

There are a couple of other Map thoughts I have found in poetry that help to settle my nerves a bit about this process:

The Map of the World Confused with Its Territory by Susan Stewart : The Poetry Foundation

The Map by Gary Soto : The Poetry Foundation

While there are big things we may hope to accomplish, I hope we can keep our eyes on the human-scale things, the things that make an ordinary life worth living.

You are here.  Hooray!  Some of you may remember Eli's "Oh the Places You'll Go" phase...He carried that book everywhere until he had it memorized.  Well it's back--in part because his Uncle Art sent us the Burning Man version! 

And, speaking of places Eli will go... Here is a link to a basic description and workbook tool for participants in a MAP process. If you are eager to learn more, you can get started there.  But if you are feeling patient (or just short of reading time), I plan to walk through the process here, little by little.

We need input on each part of the process. You can share input before the meeting here on this blog and at the meeting. Do what works and what feels comfortable.

Post a reader comment to share thoughts or feedback. You can add comments to topical discussions or at random as they come. If you have a comment that doesn't seem to fit a category (or a question about anything), feel free to post at any time.

We'll keep track and answer or share as it seems appropriate. Thanks!

Please join us as we MAP* Eli's Future! - Location change!

April 25 is the date for Eli's MAP* gathering at Tracy Hall in Norwich.  We will meet at 10:00 a.m. in the downstairs meeting room (where the Selectboard meets).

You, as an important part of Eli's life and future, are invited to be part of this process. We hope you will attend.

NOW, we need you to do three things!

1. Post here or reply to the eVite that is coming your way that you will be attending (or won't).
2. Bookmark this URL (eliweintraub.blogspot.com) in your browser so you can find it again.  It won't be searchable in Google!
3. Join this site or become a member (or better yet, an author!) so you can join the conversation and comment or post.

Thanks!  We are looking forward to hearing from you and to seeing you in April!

The MAP* (McGill Action Plan) process brings together all the people in the life of a person with disabilities including caretakers, family, friends and community to express ideas and hopes for his future and how he will grow in his community.