Girls from the 3rd Helston Brownie pack have learnt more about people with disabilities by taking part in activities which have limited their vision, mind and physical being.

Fixing blindfolds, the girls worked in teams to translate words formed using marbles placed in egg cartons, representing the pin points of Braille messaging.

A game of pass the parcel then brought limb immobility into perspective when the music stopped and each girl had to use only one hand to open the present, with the other secured in a bandage sling.

Brown Owl Liz Nash said: “The girls sat and discussed as a group their findings, noting that it took more time to complete a task and negotiate obstacles.”

Helston Community Hospital and the town’s Promobility centre helped the pack experience the physical practicalities of using wheelchairs and crutches, lending equipment for the group to try around their Andrew Hall |meeting place.

Setting out an obstacle course, the leaders first showed the Brownies how the equipment |was used before splitting them |into teams to explore the two storey meeting place, even trying the stairlift.

Holly, a Brownie seconder, said: “It takes a lot of strength |to use the crutches – my arms |are aching.”

As the meeting drew to a close in the fourth week of the project, the pack invested new member Ellie, whose choice of taking her promise using sign language helped everyone learn a new form of communication.

Brown Owl Nash added: “Taking part in the various challenges has opened their eyes to the world around them, with some of them now having a clearer perspective of what mobility is |like for some children in their classes who have to use a wheelchair to get around”

The pack, which meets at the Andrew Hall in Church Street every Thursday, are looking for more girls to join. Anyone interested can contact Liz Nash on 07732 450502 for more information.

Falmouth Packet:

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