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Conductive Learning Center offering free online lessons for students

Posted at 2:38 PM, May 26, 2020
and last updated 2020-05-26 17:09:28-04

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Since 1999, the Conductive Learning Center of North America, located here in Grand Rapids, has been providing a positive environment for those with different disabilities.

"We are providing educational rehabilitiation programs for kids and adults who have muscular disorders just like cerebral palsy," said program director, Andrea Benyovszky.

Benyovszky made the decision to move their sessions online in late March, which has certainly been an adjustment for everyone.

"Conductive education is very hands on with the families and kids," she added, "it's very important for us to form personal relationships and it's very important to be together."

The CLC works with 38 families from 16 different states and is currently providing these virtual lessons free of charge. Benyovszky says while the online lessons have been different, the response has been extremely positive.

"We work on things like getting up to the couch or just being able to sit safely," Benyovszky explained, "so we can see what's going on at home and give advice. It's going unexpectedly well."

Johnny Agar of Rockford has cerebral palsy and has been attending the Conductive Learning Center since it opened in 1999, when he was just four years old.

"I've really accomplished a lot more than I could have ever dreamed of," Agar said, "it has been a true blessing for me and has helped me immeasurably."

Not only have the online training sessions been physically beneficial for the students, they've helped them emotionally and mentally as well.

"It's very crucial to have a little bit of normalcy during these crazy times," added Agar. "I've been through a lot with my friends, and they understand, too."

While the online sessions have helped for the time being, both the conductors and families are anxious to be reunited in person.

"We are thinking summer school but in much smaller scale," Benyovszky said on when they hope to reopen, "in the last week of July or first week of August. However, we're still trying to see waht the guidance is going to be from the state."