The “Our Hands are NOT for Hitting” Campaign all began with the People with Power self-advocate group. The members talk a great deal about “respect” and have been focusing on treating others with respect and in turn gaining the respect of others. Recently, these members were involved in the CLE Abuse Prevention Training where each participant is taught the slogan, “I’m okay, you’re mean”, if someone treats them badly. When the group was asked, “if our hands are not for hitting, what are they used for?”, they quickly began to rhyme off all the things they use their hands for. It was amazing! After some discussion, they came up with the following a list of all of the positive things they do with their hands.

  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for giving hugs
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands help us communicate with others
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands help us turn the water taps on and off
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands help us open and close doors
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands help us ride a bike or drive a car
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for picking out our food at the grocery store
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for putting on our make up or shaving
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for helping others
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for cleaning up our work area
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for playing our games
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for doing up our coats
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for painting
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for doing our work
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for clapping when we are happy
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for cooking our meals
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for writing and colouring
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for tying our shoes
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for holding babies
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for brushing our teeth and hair
  • Our hands are not for hitting; our hands are for waving at our friends

The campaign came to life when each of the participants traced, coloured and decorated their own paper hands and posters were made of each of their ideas about the positive things they can do with their hands. The campaign was posted in the main hallway at the Day Program and the participants read them over and over on a daily basis.

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Our Hands are not for hitting. Our hands are for reaching out to others