What a wonderful word Jon Ahrendson has offered for empowering people. "Why?"
is fairly nonthreatening. It sounds like a request for information. Many
people love teaching, and it is a great way to get communication going.

"Why?" certainly works for kids. Asking this question repeatedly can also
make people think (and sometimes get frustrated). My favorite memory of
hearing someone asking "Why?" concerns an entomology graduate student. During
an Insect Morphology class, he kept asking "Why?" questions about the
connections of muscles to the various parts of the exoskeleton. Finally, the
instructor very quietly replied "Because God made it that way".

As a nurse, people often ask me "Why?" or even worse, ask "Is my baby OK?"
when an intervention is ordered. If this order is "routine", I often tell
families that some test or procedure or protocol is because that is what
their pediatrician or OB recommends and to "Just talk to him/her about that.
I'm sure he/she will be glad to explain. If you want me to help you call, I
will."

In any event, I will be passing the word to other staff members about the use
of "Why?" in empowerment.

Becky