I started work at the Bridges EIP on Monday. It's a school of sorts for children with learning disabilites, specifically with autism, but most of them have much more complicated conditions than that.
I was scared as hell, because I knew it wasn't going to be easy. And for awhile I was afraid I couldn't handle it..
But you know what?
Sure, they have short attention spans. Sure, it takes ages to just get a response out of them. Sure, some have ADHD and require lots of supervision and stern "no!"s.
But when I looked at them, I didn't see all those short-comings, much as I worried that I would. All I could see were 5 little boys, whose innocence made them all that much more endearing. And every little accomplishment, no matter how small and seemingly insignificant, was a joy in itself.
I can't wait to continue.. Those kids give us so much more than we give them, if only we could see beyond the disabilities and into strong little characters who keep on trying, even when it's sometimes excrutiatingly difficult for them to do so.
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3 comments:
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It is always my pleasure to let someone know how valuable they are, not only to me, but especially to themselves.
Take you, for instance: reading some of what you've written, I can tell that you're a deeply sensitive and caring person. Anyone who quotes Shakespeare's love lines is okay in my book: these days, it is hard to find anyone under 30 who can read and understand Shakespeare.
By your leave, I'd like to come visit your blog again. I'm having fun following the trials and travails of people on the other side of the world, a place that I'll likely never know first-hand.
Be true to yourself, and all that you desire will find its way to you.
Mark
Of course you're welcome to visit this blog.. :) And thanks for the comment - it's really appreciated!
i really like what you wrote about the kids with learning disabilities and such. you recognise their potential and enjoy bringing out the best in them. it takes a special person to do that, someone sensitive and above all with infinite patience and free from stereotypes and prejudice. maybe you have found your calling in life, as a special education teacher? i'm glad you're enjoying your work helping those kids. it's indeed a great feeling to be helping others. thanks for sharing your experiences in that school and i look forward to further posts from you on that topic. cheers.
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