Dystonia

Dystonia is a movement disorder which causes involuntary contractions of your muscles. These contractions result in twisting and repetitive movements. Sometimes they are painful.

Dystonia can affect just one muscle, a group of muscles or all of your muscles. Symptoms can include tremors, voice problems or a dragging foot. Symptoms often start in childhood. They can also start in the late teens or early adulthood. Some cases worsen over time. Others are mild.

Some people inherit dystonia. Others have it because of another disease. Either way, researchers think that a problem in the part of the brain that handles messages about muscle contractions might cause dystonia. There is no cure. Instead, doctors use medicines, surgery, physical therapy and other treatments to reduce or eliminate muscle spasms and pain.

National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke

Tourette's Syndrome

Look at their talents...

Angelman Syndrome

What is Angelman syndrome?

Angelman syndrome is a complex genetic disorder that primarily affects the nervous system. Characteristic features of this condition include developmental delay, intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and problems with movement and balance (ataxia). Most affected children also have recurrent seizures (epilepsy) and a small head size (microcephaly). Delayed development becomes noticeable by the age of 6 to 12 months, and other common signs and symptoms usually appear in early childhood.

Children with Angelman syndrome typically have a happy, excitable demeanor with frequent smiling, laughter, and hand-flapping movements. Hyperactivity and a short attention span are common. Most affected children also have difficulty sleeping and need less sleep than usual. Some affected individuals have unusually fair skin and light-colored hair.

With age, people with Angelman syndrome become less excitable, and the sleeping problems tend to improve. However, affected individuals continue to have intellectual disability, severe speech impairment, and seizures throughout their lives. Adults with Angelman syndrome have distinctive facial features that are described as "coarse." Some also develop an abnormal side-to-side curvature of the spine (scoliosis). The life expectancy of people with this condition appears to be nearly normal.

realistic world..

mama say cannot ignore the fact of the realistic world.. she says 4 years of full time studies is too long.. she asked about my income, how am i going to survive? i say i can work part time, then she replied, if u work part time, will it affect ur studies? I really do feel abit selfish of myself... wanting to do what i like, thinking that everything is possible. not only didnt think of family, also didnt think of him. if i were to study, he has to wait for another 5 years for me. but how am i going to save money within that one year after completion of my studies for marriage? hmmm. in life, u r not alone.. ur decisions alone will not determined your future. who knows what will happen in the future? I am so sure of my decisions 2 weeks ago, why am i thinking of all these now? what am i supposed to do now? what is my future path?

why do i still smile uncontrollably when i see children with special needs?

missing them....

hey hey.. i'm back to blog.. =)

miss working with those kids, the innocent bunch! hmmm, shall i go back for voluntary work once per week after school holidays?

hmmm.. nothing much to blog but just want to come here and write something.. =) looking at all the pictures on the blog, it makes me feel.... dont know, just cannot stop smiling..

will be back with more updates... hopefully :D

New Choice of Life~~~

Hi All,

Its been some time that i post again today is the eve of Chinese New Year.

There have been some changes to my work as i am abit overloaded for the past few months. I been given a choice to take up a management position as a Cafe Project Coordinator. I was in a cross road again at that time, as this is a very different path which is so far apart. One is to remain as a Training Officer, continue to help the Trainees in a very direct and up close situation. Another is to take up the offer as Cafe Project Coordinator, I will not be dealing with Trainees directly but if i can bring the Cafe Project to another whole new level, i can bring alot of whole new benefit to the Trainees and their Family.

With this kind of choice its so difficult to choose from. What will you choose if you will me?

So at the end, i still have to face the reality that i still have to setup a family too. This made me thinking in a very different prospective, i have to think for my love one too. My dear is very supportive towards my work, but that doesn't mean that can do anything without thinking of her future with me or taking her support for granted. And most of all, i am living in a Asian environment which males have to provide most of the support of the family. With all this reasons, it made me abit selfish out of sudden.

Am i thinking of deviating from my original intention for working in this line?

I started find excuses, "If i able to bring them into another level, i still benefit them."
"I still working for the Trainees but only in a different angle." All these are reason or excuses?
I starting to feel blur over it.

Leonard
o==[===>

Missing for one month!

Hi All,

Its been some time ever seen i posted the last post on Sept.
Its had been a tough time for the past months. As Dear and me were planning to go for Tozan.
Both of us were trying our best to keep our work to the minimum for other people.

Ok..... Let go back to our topic in this blog.

For me, the Cafeteria is running great and all the staff and trainee all were great!
Things sort of going great! My Trainees seems more happy than last time. they seem more hardworking, more lively and more cheerful!

I keep having good comments from my fellow Co-Training Officer! This the kinda result that i really trying very hard to achieve!

I will keep the good running as far as possible and hopefully i can bring them to a higher level!
I want to try to make people from the society to slowly slowly accept them and understand their working abilities! This will have to start for me!

Leonard Pang
0==[===>

More Responsible More Stress

Hi All,

Its been some time again seen my last post!

I had been busy with work as i just took over the cafe project of my center. I enjoy working in this new environment!

But i have to start everything from ZERO as the work is not handed down to me very nicely!
There were alot of place had to be improved but the previous staff didn't do anything about it.
So i have to start setting my own rules and standards. I have to teach the Trainees new things and resume some training which had been stop by the previous staff.

But lucky enough, i got many support from my fellow T.O (Training Officers).
They seems so happy that i took over this project as i only took over about a week, the food quality improve alot!

I can see MORE Trainees smile when they eat! That is one Trainee who like to comment about food which he don't like, he will shout in the cafe "Bo Ho Jia!!!!" * not nice!!!!.
Ever seen i took over, he seldom shout that already!

All this seems very small things, but to me is something that push me!

I have to say a very BIG SORRY to the lady i negated for this past few months.
Dear sorry!! I know i negated you...........
I am sorry...........
I love you!!!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Unknow Author

"We all smile in the same language.."

=D

zinc

New Realisation and New Mission

Hi All!


Its been sometime that i have post something. Its been quite a rough time for me for the past few weeks. Its had been very tiring and fulfilling!

For the past few weeks, i been busy with organizing the National Day Cerebration for my Center!

Things had been difficult for this event, because i only been told to take charge 3 weeks before the actual date. So i have to rush all the things to make it happen! At first, i feel very very very tired but only till that day, the other trainers and me were putting up the Singapore Flag to deco the Center. I than got this feeling of the rush to make all things happen for my trainees.

First time in my life, i see so many people look so happy when i was hanging the flags! They dance, they sing, they shout, they jump, with all this emotions that i saw, i was able to push myself to work even harder for them!

Luckily, i was able to pull through and deliver the expectations to my trainees.

Now i have a new mission on hand. I was told to take over the cafe of my center as the trainer there had resigned.

This is a brand new thing to me, although i worked as chef before but i not a purchaser.
I have to challenge myself to see how far i can stretch my abilities.

Wish me luck!
I need it!!!!


Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Never Give Up!!! I Dun Dare To Give Up After This!!!

If you dun cry i got nothing to say!!!

THIS TOO POWERFUL!!!! I CRIED INSTANTLY!!!!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Parents' Grief

yo... long time since i update... or rather many entries that nard updated since i update. LOL

Today my module was on impact on parents of children with special needs.
We, teachers, social workers, service provider, can never experience the grief that parents of children with special needs went through.

A parent came and shared her journey with 2 children with Autism. She is now running a parent support group and she went through a lot from the way she explained and shared and all these... we can never imagined.

A parent will be at a loss when the child was diagnosed. Some parents took years and years to accept the child, while some took days. But i can tell you... its really difficult for a parent to accept the fact.

She also shared, after you come to know more about your child, you will have to fight against time. Because, currently in Singapore, there's ONLY integrated program during preschool days. Once your child reaches 7, he/she has to either enter mainstream or a special school. That's why some of the parents are seem as 'demanding'. but the fact is, they have no time, they want and hope and prayed hard that their child will get into mainstream. How they dont matter, they just want the child to get in, because, they will be with the typical kids.

This mother's sharing thought us a lot... on why some parents seem as demanding.. while others seem as 'not caring' for the child. Because on the grief stages, there are also detachment. Detachment is a stage where parents 'gives up' and look at the people around them after doing so many things for the child w special needs, after focusing so much on the child, neglected every other people/thing. Some at this stage, they start to think about ppl around them, they start to give time to them, and of course themselves. but this is seem as 'not caring' for the child with special needs to some service provider who do not understand. I agreed I have that label on some parents. but now, I understood. =)

Don't say you understand them (parents), because they know we don't.

ying~ =)

MDRI Mental Disability Rights International

Guys this is a web full of truth stories of people with Special Needs. The stories there are stories of the society don't have the understanding to the challenge of these people is facing!

The awearness on Mental Disabilities, is really needed to offer these people with better life!

Their needs is just as the same as ours, don't take away their rights just because we lack of understanding!

The web: http://www.mdri.org/video-paraguay.html

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

2007 Shanghai Special Olympics Song by Ho Yeow Sun & Sun Nan

Even China can do it! Let us do it also!




Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Other Country Special Olmypic Ads! Very nice!

Special Olympics is an international nonprofit organization* dedicated to empowering individuals with intellectual disabilities to become physically fit, productive and respected members of society through sports training and competition. Special Olympics offers children and adults with intellectual disabilities year-round training and competition in 30 Olympic-type summer and winter sports. Today, Special Olympics stands as a leader in the field of intellectual disability. It is a truly global movement, with more than 500,000 athletes in China, more than 210,000 in India, almost 550,000 in the United States, more than 600 in Afghanistan and 4,400 athletes in Rwanda. Special Olympics World Games were held in Ireland in 2003 and Japan in 2005 and, in 2007, China will host the World Summer Games. Most importantly, Special Olympics sharpened the focus on its mission as not just "nice," but critical, not just as a sports organization for people with intellectual disabilities, but also as an effective catalyst for social change. Children and adults with intellectual disabilities who participate in Special Olympics develop improved physical fitness and motor skills, greater self-confidence and a more positive self-image. They grow mentally, socially and spiritually and, through their activities, exhibit boundless courage and enthusiasm, enjoy the rewards of friendship and ultimately discover not only new abilities and talents but "their voices" as well.


Leonard Pang 0==[===>

They can do it! Why cant we GIVE THEM THE CHANCE?

This is a few cases of people with Intellectually Challenge can do.

We always think that we are teaching them always but sometimes they are the one who is teaching us! Teaching us the truth values of life!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Down Syndrome Association Singapore theame song!

你還有個我 (DSA 公益主題歌） 詞 ：小寒 曲／編：黃韻仁 製作 ：黃韻仁／林倛玉 要是記憶曾有什麼傷痛 是人心中 不夠體諒與溝通 懷中單純的你與眾不同 我的笑容 就是你整片天空 地球快速轉動 一刻不放鬆 或許在此刻最適合你我相逢 人越奮力掌控 越隕落了夢 別難過聽我說 在這一秒鐘 你還有個我 永遠在左右 陪你用眼淚灌溉出花朵 你還有個我 聽懂你脈搏 同步感受...

你還有個我 (DSA 公益主題歌）
詞 ：小寒
曲／編：黃韻仁
製作 ：黃韻仁／林倛玉




要是記憶曾有什麼傷痛
是人心中 不夠體諒與溝通
懷中單純的你與眾不同
我的笑容 就是你整片天空
地球快速轉動 一刻不放鬆
或許在此刻最適合你我相逢
人越奮力掌控 越隕落了夢
別難過聽我說 在這一秒鐘

你還有個我 永遠在左右
陪你用眼淚灌溉出花朵
你還有個我 聽懂你脈搏
同步感受生命起落
你值得我為了你這麼做




是你讓我明白七色彩虹
一星期中 總有藍色的寒風
不怕世界對著我們嘲弄
緊緊相擁 翅膀就不再沉重

感謝你的愛給我這麼多 你還有我

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

They are people who is so pure living in our ugly world.

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Let Be Proud Of Them!!!!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

LETS LEARN FROM THEM!!!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Safe Check

Hi,

Its been sometime seen i updated the last time. Recently been busy with training trainees to travel from home to work place.

Its been a tough time for me this week, as i have to train the trainee to travel by the safe route but not the short route.

The trainee started off very well, the trainee don't need much help from me to travel to the train station, as the trainee is very high functioning, trainee tend to follow the route that the family always use. As that route is a short but not the safest route, i taught trainee a different and long route which is more safer to travel.

The trainee has to travel by train than change a bus to reach the work place. Trainee got no problem in taking the train and knowing where to stop. But i have to teach trainee to walk to the bus stop to take the bus. The first day, i teach trainee everything and show trainee how to get to work. As trainee is very clear of what i taught on the first day, i started following her from behind. Trainee got everything right, only for road safety lack of awareness.

So i concentrate on training the road safety area. But on the 4th day, i arrange with the family to let her travel alone to the train station, which i intend to follow her from behind without trainee knowing that i am following.

The first half of the route, trainee done very well in observe the traffic, but trainee reaches the 2nd half of the route, trainee suddenly turn and cut across the road. As i saw it, i quickly ran forward to stop!

I stop the trainee, but trainee was traumatize by the car horn that warn trainee not to cross.

Trainee cried, at that moment, i start to have Qns for myself.

Did I teach wrongly?

I took sometime to clam trainee down, than we continues to travel to work.

This incident teaches me that, i am still very young in this field! I still got a long way to go!

Let me Gambate!!

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Toilet Training

"As with most skills, toilet training is more likely to succeed if started early, as early intervention prevents the child from developing poor toileting habits and an over reliance on nappies. Therefore is it very important that a parent knows when the child is ready.

Children with Down syndrome can be toilet trained at around the same age as a typically-developing child, however children with certain medical conditions or who have complex physical needs may need assistance from specialists and advice from their medical team prior to commencing a toilet training programme".

Taken from the introduction to a new booklet written by Ann Haig Wheeler and sponsored by Incontinence Promotion Unit of the HSE, we now have copies available. If you are interested in copies, please send a self-addressed envelope to us as follows: Toilet Training Booklet, Down Syndrome Centre, 62-63 Lwr Mounttown Road, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin.

Got it from : http://www.downsyndromecentre.ie/news/2009/jul/01/guide-toilet-training/

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Super brain Yoga

Superbrain Yoga® is a simple and effective technique to energize and recharge the brain. It is based on the principles of subtle energy and ear acupuncture. This powerful technique is explained in Master Choa Kok Sui's latest book Superbrain Yoga®.

Pilot studies on the effects of Superbrain Yoga® on school children include children with disabilities such as ADHD/ADD, developmental and cognitive delays, Down syndrome and specific learning disabilities. Children studied showed significant increase in academic and behavioral performance, greater class participation and improved social skills. In one study, the result of an electroencephalograph showed increased amplitude in the parieto-occipital region of the brain following the Superbrain Yoga®. This indicates increased brain electrical activity following the exercise. More studies on the effects of Superbrain Yoga® are being conducted.
www.superbrainyoga.org

interesting..
ying =)


sometimes i wonder..
do I really work with my kids becos I want them to be independent?
or do I just want to see results?

am I losing focus?
or am I just not interested?

=(

Good skills to learn but yet not so useful as what it seems....

Hi,

I went for the Adult First Aid course for the past 2 days and tomorrow is my exam day!

I feel the course is a very good one as it teaches me some very good skills to attend to a person in need, but as the same time you learn the reality of the fact of saving lives.

In it, i learn to attend to injury and giving CPR to people, understanding of Shock of the heart and many more.

After knowing all this, i than realised that life can be so fragile! The skill that i learn from here can only be use to help people with minor injury, but as for the more serouis one....... I DON'T THINK I CAN DO ANYTHING!

Our body is so well design that alot of things happend to us is due to our own body protection system, as this design is so good that if a person were to have major injury. A First Aider with out equipments is just there to see that person die. And i also realised that save a person also sometimes need to pay a price, which is the restrictions of the law. The restriction is a good one as it is to protect First Aider from unresonable charges. But in some way, this also stop a person to help that person in need.

Example;

If you are a First Aider, you see a person meet with a accident, she is a lady and she already fainted and that is no sign of breathing, the heart already stop.

You were a guy, there is a lot of people there to watch but nobody seems to know how to do a CPR. Will you go up to help or join the crowd to watch?

Ok, now let talk about if you go to help. First you have to tell people that you are a First Aider, and you want to do a CPR but you than realised that the person is wearing a Bra which has the buckle in front of the chest! How do you go about it? Ask if there any females able to help you release the buckle so that you can do the CPR without hurting the person more? Or carry on and do it yourself? Or shout at the crowd saying that you are going to loosen the bra to save her? Please note that As a First Aider the Aim is to pervent further injuries to the person.

You see by thinking of this in that moment, you may have miss the golden chance to save that person! As the brain of the be dead in 4 mins if there is no oxygen being send to the brain, and every min is the person's 20% of life! You are racing against the time, but remember if you choose to do the wrong actions by unbuckle yourself, things maybe very ugly for you. And if you didn't handle it well, later even you may have save the person but you somehow get charged in court.

Ok, now lets go in to not helping. I don't blame people who choose not to help, think about this, seeing that person laying on the floor full of blood and smells of blood, people will tend to get scared. I will too if i really see it with my own eye and smell it with my own nose. You will start thinking that you don't have any equipment like gloves which is the most basic equipment, do you think you will go help? Think of this, nowadays there are so many virus going around, virus like SARs, H1N1 flu, AIDS, Diabeties all this can be contacted by blood. Are you so brave to go forward to help? Don't tell me that you will bring a pair of GLOVES everywhere you go right?

In any case, is the First Aider's choice to make, because more skills = more responsible!

GOT TO GIVE ALL MY FULL RESPECT TO ALL THE LIFE SAVER IN THE WORLD THE CREDITS TO SAVE A PERSON LIFE!!!!

And maybe next time if we choose not to help, but choose to be a bystander, please look at the whole incident as a very critical situation that needs help fast! Don't critised other by saying untruthful things, or jump to concusions. These are the only things we can do as a bystander.

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

~Time To Start~

Hi,

I am very excited!!!! I am going to start my first CM training with my trainee!!!

CM training is to train them to travel on their own, from their house to the center to work.

I was very lucky that i didn't have a very hard time to convince the parents to allow the trainee to learn!
Because i always hear other co Training Officer saying the most difficult part is to talk to their parents and convince them.

I really happy for the trainee and the family, they had done a good decision! For a person with Special Needs to learn how to be independent is very important. As this kind of skill will helps them for life, this in some ways also helps the family to lighten the burden also.

I will work very hard to teach the trainee and ensure that the trainee will be able to travel safely, hahaha this also means that i need to put in a lot of effort and extra sacrifices like my SLEEP!

But i still feel very worth doing, because i doing something that will affect a person life and a family standard of living.

I really hope this will be a successful one which i can pass the trainee and allow the trainee to travel on the trainee own.

I really feels that by doing all this, i feel more eager to work harder and feel that everything i doing now is real meaningful. Looking back at my past, i feel i don't really like those day that i have to work for money and feel like i live my life aimlessly and meaninglessly just to earn more money.

In that kind of envoiroment, i only think of money and i even sometime think of stepping on others to achieve *but never done it because i'm too stupid*.

But in here, i really thinking only for the people who needs me and trying very hard to change their lives. I do feel very difficult sometimes, but at the end of the day when you look at it again you will feel so proud of yourself that you actually done that!

How many people can really change others lives?
How many meaningful things can you do in a life time?

Leonard Pang o==[===>

Very Difficult Qns to Ans

Hi,

I been thinking of this, does special needs people need a loving relationship like a normal person do?
Sometimes i wanna be love by the one i really love, wanna spend time with my love one, wanna do things together with my love one.
Will they have the same feeling that i have?

I been thinking........

I am really lucky, i am even more lucky to have GHZN and a soul partner having the same believe.

Things will never fair, life is also never fair.
We are the people living in the Grey area.
Its so easy to fall on any sides, but because of dreams and hope most of us will try to make the thing around us as fair as possible.
Are we wise enough? Maybe but maybe not.
But as long as we all try, our efforts will not go to waste.

Feelings............ Makes me feel alive.......

Leonard Pang o==[===>

Never feel Tried!

Hi,

Have you ever feel very tired to go to work?

Have you ever feel dragging your feet to work?

I do have this feelings, but ever seen i join the work of special ED, i feel so entoo to go for work!

Maybe i feel that the things i do for the trainees is affecting them for life!

Maybe its the nature of the job i like (Teaching)!

Or maybe its the trainee that always makes me laugh everyday that i feel happy!

I am so gratful to get the job that i enjoy doing, not many people can find a job that they are happy with.

Leonard Pang 0==[===>

shun...

=) shun has improved tremendously... his mother said.. =)

He has definitely "opened" up alot. He has started to say many words.. even answering "okay". =D He has started to react to people's demand, questions... He has also started to recognise alphabets.. He has also started to read a little of teacher's facial expression now.. all these are the improvements he had made throughout this 4 months that I became his teacher again.. haha..

He has thought me that most of our children with special needs need to learn through play. They already have a difficulty in learning. If we, as educator wants our children to learn the 'si ban ban' way.. how much do you think they can absorb?

signing off
Ying

Dare to dream, u'll achieve. =)

I would like to share a little of our Mr Leonard Pang's history (not too long ago though) of starting in this line. haha

One day, his best friend (Tai) asked him to join teaching line when he was out of job at that period. So he was wondering what can he (an ah beng) teach ppl. teach ppl how to smoke ah? - 1,2, breath in.... (LOL)

I thought of this field (special ed) and told him about it after that. He thought for a while and we went to find out more details about it. Everything went so fast as I thought about it now, and he's now in this field for about 4 mths le, right? I'm sure he's enjoying it...cos he's neglecting me =X lol

The point is... in this field, we need ppl with passion, compassion, patience. You may think that you dont know how to teach or help them, but who came to know the field with lots knowledge? All of us dont, we learn... in any field, right? =)

signing off
ying

Is it so hard to forgive someone?

Hi,

Something to share. Today 11-06-09, i brought 3 of my trainees out for CLSP ( Community Living Skill Program). I brought them to Vivo City, they were been observe by me about their social skills.
Eg: Taking the train, using the EZ-link, buying things, paying money and ordering food. Everything went well until, When we were going back to MINDS. As we walking from Kovan NEL station to MINDS, one of my trainee accidentally step on a old lady feet.

That lady shouted: " Oie, no eyes see where u going ah!"

I notices it only after i heard the old lady shouted, so i turn back as that trainee is behide me.

My first action is to faster apologize to the lady,: " Sorry Auntie, he (the trainee) don't mean it."

The lady shout back: " My Feet is very painfully already u still step on it!"

I replied: " Sorry he really don't mean it, and its was really an accident." I turn back and asked my trainee to face the lady to apologized. (Please note that my trainee doesn't know how to speck!!!)
My trainee trying so hard to say sorry by his actions, but because of his motor skill got problem his actions may not be like a normal person's body language.

The lady shout: " Go away lah! Step already than say sorry got what use! Stupid Idiot ( Retard )."

The whole conversion was all in Chinese.

I felt so angry, am i over protective toward my trainee or really is that lady no compassion towards a special person? Or maybe i been taking things a little too personal?

Hai~~~~~, life is unfair!

Face it man, Leonard Pang!!!

By Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Special Olympics

Many times my brother has been going for the event but i was unable to attend every time! But on 06/06/09 i attended the event with the role as a coach for my school MINDS IEDC. I didn't expect to feel much about anything because i thought i saw all kinds of sports spirits as i enjoy understanding sports! But at that time i really was amazed by the very first event, the 10M assisted walk event. I saw a very young boy from Rainbow Centre Yishun Park, he is the youngest of the 3 competitors, when the start horn blows, the other 2 competitors already dash forward to the finish line! But you only see that only boy who is really way back be hide far away! Seeing this view, i was so touch by the fighting spirit of that boy! He didn't give up even when he saw all the 2 other participants had already finish the race. As the third party view, i was so move by the spirit, because you will see every small steps he takes, its was so pain, so heavy, so tiring that he really took almost close to 7mins to finish 10M. I honestly will give up if i really see myself still a the starting line as all other participants had already finished! Next i will tell you about a girl from timor leste, she is the only one with intellectual disability and physical disability. She was in the event of 1500M single female. She was limping all the way and you see her performance was not affected by the limping at all! She out ran 2 physically able competitors and was able to maintain a very short distance with the first runner. You will keep enjoying to see her and the first runner trying hard to out run each other, in the end she did her best but still falls in the 2nd place. Sometimes when you look at the events it seems to be boring, meaningless or funny, but have you open your eyes and your heart to see and feel? We may feel putting one foot forward seems nothing at all but for them, they need so much training, so much effort, so much strength! We sometimes compare them to ourselves, are we so strong that we can train and challenge our physical limits? I myself will forget that i have to admit! I forgot that walking is so difficult because i can run and jump. And please i think there will be a group of people who will think that they wouldn't feel anything even if they lost, we are wrong from the face i could see the sadness in their eyes! Intellectual disable people had the abilities to feel emotions! Now looking at myself i feels so shame, as a normal person, i doubt myself to harbour that kind of high standard spirits in me. They teach me alot! And helping me to understand the teaching that i heard from REV in temple! Now i seems to learn to look at things in a very different views! Thank you! Thank you all for enlightening me! And sorry for my lousy english!! Hahahahaha Forgive me (o-_-o)

By Leonard Pang 0==[===>

Autism Poems

Play

Play for me is where the thinking drifts off in floating clouds above

Where I can be me in unity of peaceful things, I love.

Entertaining self in the world of play emitted from life’s exposure

Allowing words and thoughts to be created by me the great composer

Oblivious to those around me as if they don’t exist

Playing with my inner thoughts of things I cannot resist

Lining them up in playful order comes a pattern to my eyes

When one comes and alters the purpose of my visions simply dies

For me pleasure comes from the way my play is to be

Sit quietly and observe what I am learning about me

Patterns. Patterns everywhere cause my adrenaline to consume me

Patterns are my favorite play, creating it in ways it was meant to be

Allowing myself to be alone to discover what my play is meant to bring

For inside myself this play of mine brings me happy things.

Written by Sondra Williams

Before I Go To Sleep…

Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy don't you weep.

I want to whisper something before I go to sleep.

I know that when I cam here I looked perfect in every way.

And you were so proud, Daddy; when you held me on that day.

And Mommy, when you kissed me and wrapped me up so tight,

I knew that I belonged here and everything was right.

But then I stopped talking and began to slip away,

I saw your worried faces as you knelt by me to pray.

And Daddy, I always notice how you wipe away a tear,

When you watch the other children as they run and laugh and cheer.

I may not be able to tell you how much I love you so,

Or even show you how I feel and what I really know.

But when you hold me, Mommy, at night when all is still,

I feel the love you have for me and I know that all is well.

And Daddy, when you take me to the park to run and play

I know that you still love me thought the words I cannot say.

I want to tell you something before I go to sleep.

I may be sort of dirrect and you may not understand,

I know that I am not that little hild that you and Daddy planned.

But I love you both so very much and I know you love me too,

And if I could only speak my heart, you would feel my love for you.

I know the future is unknown and you will always have to be,

The ones who love and listen and take good care of me.

I know that you are frightened and you shed so many tears,

And if I could I'd wipe them dry and take away your fears.

So Mommy, don't you cry now and Daddy please don't weep.

I want to say…I love you both, before I go to sleep.

Written by Sally Meyer 2000

another heart warming story...

A father writes about his family and the challenges they face on a daily basis.

My name is Henry Watson. I live in Boulder, Colorado, with my wife, Ginger, and our six children, who range in age from three on up to seventeen. We also have a two dogs, a Pomeranian named "Skippy" and a Golden Labrador Retriever named "Tyler" ("Tyler" belongs to our son, Tommy; he's more his dog, not ours).

Our children aren't like most: that is, suffice to say, they are all children who happen to have special needs. Their disabilities range from autism to learning disabilities, blindness to cerebral palsy, and mental disabilties; yet they are our children first and foremost.We have three boys and three girls. They are also adopted. Three came to us from China, the other three from Korea, Mexico, and the Ukraine. Our children are named from the oldest to the youngest: Timberly Ryanne (17), Ivan Michael (14), Georg Macario (11), Hyun Mi Grace (9), Thomas ("Tommy") Patrick (6), and the "baby" of the bunch, three-year-old Piper Franklin.

We adopted the teenagers when they were small, so they've been with us for a while; the younger set came to us only about three years ago--or sooner.Now, some (like Timberly, Tommy, and Piper) are quite disabled.

Piper has cerebral palsy and is blind/deaf; he is nonverbal, and he can't do much for himself, but he is a beautiful little boy who can smile readily; when he does, his grin lights up the room.

Timberly is mentally retarded (Down's); she may be 17, but she has the mindset of a five-year-old, and she is a delightful child with a giggle guaranteed to brng a smile to all who meet her.

As for Tommy, he is blind, but he gets around with the aid of a cane or a guide dog, a golden Lab he has named "Tyler".Ivan has autism, but he does pretty well, most of the time. He has a mild form, but if there are any disruptions to his routine, he will lose it and go wild on us; thankfully, though, that is few and far between. Most of the time he is a gentle child who loves to make us laugh. He is our resident comedian.

Georg has learning disabilities; he is in a special ed class at his school. He cannot read or write; someone has to read to him or write for him; he just doesn't have the cognitive skills to be able to do these things. He is hyperactive, and we are wondering if he has some autism in him somewhere because there are times where he zones out and retreats to his own world.

As for our Gracie, she has a childhood form of arthritis; she can't walk without help, and she is often in severe pain. We found out she had it before we adopted her, and it hurts us to see her crying in pain during inclimate weather or when she has "flares", where her disease is active. Her fingers and knees (as well as her elbows) are horribly swollen a lot of the time, and she walks with the aid of crutches (or uses a wheelchair if she is hurting more than usual, which is usually the case).

So there you have it. Our kids. They are our world, and we'd do anything to make their lives easier for them.As for my wife, Ginger, she is a homemaker, which is the hardest job of all. She loves being with the children, and she also homeschools the littler ones. (The older kids go to public school, but we are thinking of pulling them out after the school year has ended. They will start homeschool in the fall, along with their younger brothers and sisters.)We didn't think we'd adopt, but we heard that many kids older than the age of two or kids who are disabled or of a different race often get overlooked.

We have always wanted kids, and adoption seemed like the perfect opportunity to make a difference in some deserving kids' lives. That was what we did.We haven't looked back since. We are now a happy family, and we are loving life. Yes, life is often fraught with challenges or strife, but we try to make the best of it, go through the motions, try to be the best parents to our kids, try to be there for them when they are going through difficulties.

Our life is nothing but a grand adventure, and I dare anyone who says we can't be good parents to our kids just because they are disabled. Well, we have proved them wrong, and our kids are living, breathing testimonies to the Miracle of faith, perserverance, and most of all, love, guidance, and support.

Our kids have passed all expectations, even our more seriously disabled ones, and they are constantly surprising us with new skills, new words, new accomlishments that we didn't think were possible. They are the ones who are teaching us; we aren't the only teachers for them.Now we are members of an online adoption community run by a lady in Tennessee, and we have already made many friends. We get together twice a year for picnics or seminars, and we always have a good time. The kids enjoy meeting other kids from around the country, and we enjoy the fellowship and making new friends who are in the same situation as we are. We don't feel so alone, and we find out that parenting kids with special needs can be a rich, rewarding, thrilling experience.

No, not everyone can do what we do, but isn't it nice to know that there are people who care for kids who might otherwise never have a chance in life??

The Starfish Story

As the old man walked the beach at dawn,
he noticed a boy ahead of him, picking up starfish
and flinging them into the sea.
Finally catching up with the boy, he asked why he was doing this.
The answer was that the stranded starfish would die if
left until the morning sun.
"But the beach goes on for miles and there are millions of starfish,"
said the old man.
"How can your effort make any difference?"
The boy looked at the starfish in his hand
and then threw it safely into the waves.
"It makes a difference to this one,"he said.

give them the opportunity

If the children and youth of a nation are afforded the opportunity to develop their capacities to the fullest, if they are given the knowledge to understand the world and the wisdom to change it, then the prospects for the future are bright. In contrast, a society which neglects its children, however well it may function in other respects, risks eventual disorganization and demise.

- Urie Bronfenbrenner (1977)

My Son is Alive

A woman shares her story about her now six-year-old son, Camryn, who was born with serious special medical needs.

My son, Camryn Damon, is six years old. He is a living, breathing medical miracle.

Camryn was born at five months, weighing just 14 ounces at birth. He was not expected to survive. He was born with a whole host of medical problems, some, of which, still affect his life today. He cannot walk (he has always used a wheelchair) or talk, he is ventilator-dependent, he has very low muscle tone, and he has brain damage that's left him with the mind of an infant. Camryn needs 24-hour medical care; he's been in and out of the hospital too many times to count.

Yet even with all his medical problems, my little boy brings me more joy than you can imagine. He smiles/laughs often, he loves people, and he loves looking at his reflection in the mirror that hangs above his hospital bed. He loves playing with his toys, and he loves being with us, his family.

Whenever we take Camryn out in public, people are sad to see how sick he really is, but we are determined to give him a good life. We believe he deserves to have fun, have a chance to do things like take him to concerts, movies, or out to eat at restaurants, or to festivals, where he absolutely loves to people-watch.

Whenever Camryn ends up in the hospital, Alan, I, or our older children (Carissa-12, Calliope-13, and Carsyn-15) are there, praying over him, holding vigil at his bedside, wishing for the best, praying for a miracle that he makes it through yet another crisis. We are determined to be there for him, even in times of medical crisis.

If it were not for the constant care (or the compassion of concerned doctors and nurses), Camryn would have not lived to the age of six. He is a regular fixture in our lives--and in the lives of others. I only wish people who do not know our son can see just how happy of a child he really is and see the beauty in him, even in light of all his medical concerns.

*THE END*

Heartwarming :)

Success Stories from specialchild.com

My daughter, Aimee, is autistic. She didn’t talk and would not give me any eye contact. I had traveled to visit my mother, and before I left, I had purchased pull-ups for nighttime, but I forgot to bring them.

It was evening and Aimee had some orange juice. She gave me the sign language for more. I then said (more or less to myself rather than her), "Oh, I forgot the pull-ups. I’m afraid if you have too much to drink you’ll wet the bed. I should’ve brought them." She continued to sign "more." I continued to mutter. Finally, she looked me in the eyes, and fervently said, "I," pointing to herself, "want more," giving sign for more, "or-ange juice, please." Needless to say she got her juice! - L.T., Hamilton, NJ

***

I am not a parent, but a proud older sister of a 15-year-old brother who is blind and autistic. As a child, Meir would constantly get upset when something would bother him. Getting upset included screaming uncontrollably and getting completely out of hand. With the loving and constant guidance of my parents, Meir (even though he has a long way to go), expresses himself way better than before. - S.S., Brooklyn, NY

***

My youngest son, Brayden, was born three months premature with heart and brain defects. He is now 4 ?years old. He is multi-handicapable. When he was young, the doctors told us he probably wouldn't survive, much less ever sit, walk, talk, or eat. He began eating orally a year and a half ago. He began talking one year ago, and is now nearly age appropriate in expressive communication! The most exciting accomplishment, however, is his walking. He had a bilateral tendon release on his hamstrings and gastrocs last November. Since recovering from the surgery, he began pulling to stand, cruising furniture, and could take up to 6 independent steps, even without his walker! Only other parents of children with special needs can understand the intense emotion that surrounds such feats!

Now, he is walking around the house with little assistance and now able to squat to pick something up and stand up again without help!! I cannot wait for the day that he can walk up to those nay-saying doctors and show them who is really in charge!! - J.B., Bartlesville, OK

'JIEJIE'

Eugene who only know how to pronounce 'papa',
who should be saying 200words by now,

called me 'jiejie' on Sunday, 10th June 2007!!!!

:D

he has improved alot cos he went to visit speech therapist:)

can you feel the joy?

Disorder VS Delay

The order in which children learn speech sounds and language forms is fairly predictable. Most children follow the same pattern of development. When a child is developing skills in this order but is doing it more slowly, he/she has a speech/language delay. Sometimes child does not have the same speech or language skills as other children his/her age and is not just slow in developing. They have gaps in development - they may have some skills that are age-appropriate but are missing some that should have been learned when they were younger. They may say use some sounds or forms that are unusual and never used by any child at any age. This is considered a disorder.

high expectations for children with special needs?

'Setting high, but realistic expectations, is a sign of respect for our children. Just because they have special needs does not mean that they cannot be expected to do anything.'

extracted from Raising Sebastien, Realising the Potential of your Autistic Child by Choo Kah Ying

The Miracle of Jay-Jay

Age does not protect you from love. But love, to some extent, protects you from age. - Jeanne Moreau

"He doesn't look like the other boys," Grandpa said as he viewed the blanketed bundle I held in my arms. He was right. James Ryan, whom we called Jay-Jay, with his skinny little legs, almost bald head, and tiny, slanted eyes, bore little resemblance to my other chubby babies with their full heads of hair. But I knew the comment went far beyond looks. Grandpa couldn't accept the fact that Jay-Jay had Down syndrome and had mental retardation.

On subsequent visits, Pa-Pa, the name the other children used for their grandpa, ignored Jay-Jay. He picked him up once at a family reunion when it seemed to be expected for a family picture. Other than that, he never touched him, and looked upon him with something between pity and displeasure.

Then, one day, a miracle began. We were once again at a family reunion, and Jay-Jay, being the outgoing little boy he was at three years old, walked over to his grandpa and crawled onto his lap. Pa-Pa was a little shocked, but what could he do in front of all these people? This was his grandson. How could they understand that he hardly knew Jay-Jay?

Jay-Jay took his grandpa's glasses out of his shirt pocket and placed them on his own face, upside-down, precariously perched on his short, pudgy nose. He looked at Pa-Pa and giggled, making Pa-Pa laugh, too. Soon, they were walking around the room, Jay-Jay leading Pa-Pa, a little smile on the older one's face.

Their next encounter came months later when Pa-Pa decided to visit. Jay-Jay played the clown, making his grandpa laugh, and pick him up and throw him into the air.

Pa-Pa turned to my husband and said, "Why, he's just like any other kid."

We had tried to tell him, but Pa-Pa's preconceived ideas and fears of the disabled had kept him out of his grandson's life. But Jay-Jay, being an effervescent little boy, would not let him remain in darkness. With his love and actions, he showed Pa-Pa and others that they were missing out on some of God's greatest blessings by not loving and caring for him.

After that day, a strong bond began to form. Pa-Pa found that Jay-Jay loved balloons and would have one waiting for him each time we came to visit--visits he now welcomed. Then he discovered that Jay-Jay was not only sweet, but ornery, and he loved pillow fights. So each visit would end up with pillows flying across the room. I never figured out which of the two enjoyed it most. Soon Pa-Pa began to telephone--supposedly to talk to my husband, who was now glowing in the new relationship between his father and son--but always insisting on speaking to his youngest grandson.

Although Jay-Jay has a severe speech articulation disorder, he can understand most of what is said to him. Yet he finds it difficult to form the words he wants to say, making communication difficult. Nevertheless, Pa-Pa always wanted to speak to him by phone, and Jay-Jay would laugh and talk in words that neither his dad nor I understood. Pa-Pa swore he understood every word.

The phone chats became a weekly ritual. Every Saturday morning, Jay-Jay knew it was the day to talk to Pa-Pa. Since it was long distance, they took turns calling. One week, Pa-Pa would call. The next week, all excited, Jay-Jay would make the call and talk until we made him hang up.

Through the years, Jay, as he is called today, and Pa-Pa continued those weekly phone calls, along with letters, cards, fishing trips, and frequent trips to Wal-Mart. They became "best buddies."

When Jay was nineteen, his beloved Pa-Pa died unexpectedly. One of the hardest days of my life was watching Jay stand at his Pa-Pa's graveside as he was presented the American flag that draped the casket. But one of the things I cherish most is knowing that Jay's unconditional love built a bridge to his grandfather's heart and changed both of their worlds forever.

Story Author Louise Tucker Jones

Louise Tucker Jones is a vibrant speaker and award-winning author of Extraordinary Kids (co-author, Cheri Fuller). Her son, Jay has participated in Special Olympics Art for most of his 31 years and has won numerous ribbons and trophies for his photography. Louise resides in Edmond, Oklahoma with her husband, Carl and son, Jay, the youngest of their four children. Contact Louise at LouiseTJ@cox.net or www.LouiseTuckerJones.com.

-Story from the Chicken Soup for the soul- Children with Special Needs.
Soon to be released