Family - as AXIS of everything

The family is the beginning and the end of one’s life. We are the result of the nurturing hands of our parents. Literally, we are not just a semblance of our parents, but an extension of their aspirations and beliefs.

Their Role. Security and better life are the foremost desires of parents to their children. Constraints may prevent them momentarily but it will never stop them for long. Every step will be managed to ensure that things will work the way they perceive it. Such undying love and affection is priceless. The boundary of love is limitless and the depth of understanding is endless. Hence, acceptance over their children’s mistakes is readily accessible whenever such is needed.

My Thoughts. A reality of life permeates every man- to protect and collaborate with other people to ensure the welfare of one’s child. A school is an extension of a home. It is the place where other areas of man’s dimensions are developed. Tasks may not be easy to accomplish, but it will prepare every child for the later part of his life. A child with disabilities may find it doubly hard to learn but with parents around and close cooperation with the teacher, what seems to be a problem could be outdone effortlessly.

The Challenge. Cooperation between teachers and parents is easily said than done. Policies have been formulated and disseminated for implementation. However, it is still categorically at the level of awareness and the enforcement may need to be strengthened. Participation is still quite low. Encouragement is always the advocacy of the central office to ensure that appropriate intervention will be instituted at the school level based on the needs of the students. The influence and authority of parents – has always been neglected as a result of less effort and ignorance, on the part of the school, to involve them in the education of their children. In the case of students with special needs, parents have so much to offer. Assistance and experience could enrich the teaching-learning condition, hence, an advantage for the students. A more vigilant enforcement of the policy should be done as to increase parents’ participation. Local government units should devise means to attract parents in school matters as well. In that way, students will be assured that they get the best from the department of education. Likewise, a safety net should be made alongside the desire to involve the parents as partners in the education of their children. Conflicts would be easily avoided between school and parents with personal agenda. Shared responsibility has always been one of the primary goals of the Department as education of the children matters most. The initiatives of the government work towards the fulfillment of its mandate - education for all. It is an assurance that parents are recognized – and are considered the most significant individuals in educating every child, regardless of abilities and talents.

“People need not pity us. They shouldn’t even give us special treatment. What we need is for “sighted” to accept and take good care of us”. Ricardo delos Santos, blind, quoted during an interview in a SpED class in St. Joseph’s College, QuezonCity, Philippines

Truly, I was amazed listening to the individuals who are sometimes identified as “insignificant”. Since it was my first, everything that I heard from them made me think anew. Indeed, God is really great for giving us the ability to comprehend as each day unveils a new mystery.

My Realization. I was touched and surprised to learn how the two resource persons fought for their survival. Everyday seems to be a battle for them. The ground was so wide and their foes were so many. But the most difficult among those were the “significant” that blatantly undermined their capability to live. But not all “significant” felt the same way.
I believe that while listening, the moment became a reality check. I reflected and looked back. I try to remember how I lived for the last 32 years. And like movie clips, I saw myself complacency living in most of my life. But when I was challenged once, I almost lost myself thinking that I can’t take life’s trials. It was just a test compared to the lifetime ordeal of the resource persons who shared their struggle in this life. For them, everyday is a test; every place is an arena where they should fight to survive.

I am just fortunate for believing in God, for keeping my faith in time that I almost gave up. I am very much grateful as well for having a family who may have failed to give material things but was able to offer themselves selflessly. I was moved when I heard the sacrifices of the parents for their children. It’s really no joke to raise a family, more so, if there is at least one member who needs extra care, and extra love. Honestly, I’m sad every time that I meet old people as it often reminds me of my parents at home, whom I had to sacrifice from not seeing. I chose to explore this profession hence, the need to face the consequence.

My Challenge. My first “face-to-face” interaction with blind people enlightened me once more. A new world has paved the way for another perspective in life. The challenge is up for me on how to contribute in influencing the community in treating the “insignificant” fairly. Time has come to embrace them. Transformation cannot be achieved overnight. The reality is, we co-exist with them and acceptance is a necessity. I don’t know if I need empowerment but I guess such would be necessary if I want to influence others as regard people with special needs. One’s existence is so short hence, every minute counts. I had been blinded in the past for so many things, but I am glad to see the light slowly, realizing that my existence can make a difference.

Special Education... A Perception...!

Personally, I never thought that I will enter the “world” of children with special needs. I was a teacher and still an educator- indirectly influencing thousands of students across the country. Realization hit me when I learned “who” the society refers to as children with special needs.

Relevance of Special Education to me. An eye opener, that life is not just for “normal” people. Individual differences are not plainly an idea of varied ways of beliefs, thinking abilities and physical attributes. In depth understanding that the world is roamed around by distinct individuals and labeling who’s in and who’s not should never matter to us. Hence, rational thinking and understanding should characterize every person of every race.

Relevance to the community. I realized the significance of SPED in promoting openness and understanding. The community as an extension of a bigger family should be the forefront in avoiding prejudice among people with special needs. Such action leads to acceptance and promotion of every individual pushing for a comfortable life.Relevance to Society. SPED is a way towards nurturing the capability of people regarded as insignificant. I never concerned myself about laws and policies in support of “some” groups unless it affects me. Now I realized the obligation of the society to develop the unique abilities of every student to obtain optimal skill - ultimately looking at them as potential contributor of progress, in their own little way, whether one is normal or person with disabilities.

How to do my part? Being a member of a policy making and standard setting agency, my immediate desire is to re-examine the curriculum developed for “normal” students. Unconsciously, we deprive children with behavioral and other disabilities to learn best because of situations they never wanted and the lack of skills of their mentor. Further, future training for teachers should include an understanding about students with special needs to know them well. At the end of the day, the learning of our students, regardless of their family status, physical and mental capabilities, should always be the primary goal of every one.