What
Label Are You Living?
These days, people are given numerous labels in their lives. A mom may say “this is my honor
student.” A teacher may say, “She never turns in her homework.” You
may hear, “That youth is ‘at-risk,” “lazy,” “a trouble maker,” “a juvenile
delinquent,” “a good helper,” “above average,” “a teacher’s pet,” “a
hard worker,” “a bad parent,” and so on.
In the mental health world, people are diagnosed with such labels as,
“ADHD,” “Depression,” “Conduct Disorder,” “Post Traumatic Stress Disorder,”
“Down Syndrome,” “Autistic” and the list goes on forever.
Whether you are an adult or a youth, and regardless of
the affirming or negativity nature, we tend to live within those labels and people treat us accordingly.
Depending on the label we may be seen as capable, incapable or perhaps disabled and therefore not asked to do things
because people expect us to fail. That doesn’t happen here at 4STEP.
Our participants, whether participating in the Therapeutic Riding, EAL, or EAMH programs, are asked to complete tasks
that are out of the normal everyday routine. Not only will you be asked, but you will also be allowed to
fail. In a safe environment where you are allowed to try new things, fail and try again,
confidence will be built and key parts of the brain will be stimulated. Your effort and
progress will be celebrated as you try to overcome the unfamiliar, and even, at times, the daunting. New
social and emotional skills will be built as you learn about yourself. You will learn to identify your
true physical and emotional capabilities and limitations while learning how to maximize your life within
them.
Click here for more about the Foundation of our Organization.
Comments & Letters from 4STEP families
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