Saturday, July 24, 2010

Hand in hand




I teach kids with special needs.

I have been told by countless of people that teaching is more than just a profession - it is a vocation; a calling. After more than a year of putting myself in the shoes of a teacher, indeed, I cannot argue with the fact that it is a laying down of one's life for the gaining of it by another. Now, I personally define teaching as a mission, a sacred one.

I'm writing this entry to support People First: Empowering People with Disabilities in Bloggers Unite to let the world know about children with special needs.

There have been many successful programs to provide better services for people with disabilities, particularly those with special needs. I am happy to say that being a therapist in an early intervention setting has truly made me appreciate the positive life-altering changes that 'tried-and-tested' programs have brought about to the children under our care.

However, the downside is that not all countries have those programs available to their people. More specifically, there isn't much government support being given for people with disabilities. There aren't very many laws or acts that truly empower them and their families. For example, here in the Philippines, it is quite expensive to enroll for high quality intervention programs. Although families can be really creative and resourceful, accessibility is still a major issue. The general public isn't made aware of the appropriate ways and means of [or trustworthy people and institutions to consult for] diagnosing, assessing, and helping their relatives or friends with special needs. Moreover, placement of these children in schools is also one of the concerns among many, many others.

Nevertheless, I do not like dwelling on what's negative unless I use it as a stepping stone for bringing about something positive [such as increasing awareness as to the reality of the situation]. To give credit where it is due, I applaud the efforts of countless of groups and organizations who have fought the battle of giving quality to life that children with special needs are living. There is always some sort of heroism each and every day, which should not be forgotten although there is so much more to be done...

On a different note, to tell you the truth, I have learned enormously from these kids - probably more than they could have ever learned from me. Their simplicity and quiet spirits are exemplary. Their total dependence at an early age emphasizes the way we must be in relationship with our Heavenly Father. In as much as I, a teacher, am trying to save them from this world - it is they who are saving me from the pitfalls of too much worrying and too much trying to take things into my own hands.

Lord, I lift up to you all these amazing children with special needs and people with disabilities. Through them, who are considered weak, You have shown us what it truly takes to be strong... strongly dependent on You alone.

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

The Art of Questioning



Is it easier to write about an idea when you are flooded with light or when you are enveloped in darkness? (I am, of course, speaking metaphorically.)

What is more moving: the absence or presence? Why?

What defines you?

Are you who you think you should be?

Is the idea of death at the back of your mind a good driving force in living your life?

Why do you do what you do?

What is the world to you?

Where do we find peace?

How do we fully achieve happiness?

Why do we question?

...because we get answers when we ask. We stumble upon new realizations in the whole process and art of questioning. We even have a reply to the query: "Why do some questions don't have answers?" which is simply because 'they are not meant to be answered by you or me at this time'.

So... What questions do you have?

Monday, July 12, 2010

Dinner is served



Tri-color pasta with tuna and carbonara sauce, fruit cocktail with cream and Happy Day orange juice.

Won't you feel like smiling? :)

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Through the years



Suddenly, you wake up one day and realize that a decade can pass by seemingly faster than you can say "Let's have a reunion".

After ten years, my sixth grade class decided to get-together for the first time. Fifteen of us were able to go and spend the night until the early morning in our hometown just talking, laughing, and reminiscing about events that happened in our lives for the past decade. It makes my heart merry to know that the friendships we've forged in our very young ages grow richer and better as time goes by.

The meeting of people, small or big in number, has so much significance. There is nothing in today's highly technological world that can ever replace the actual presence of people surrounding you, especially those who have long been part of your life. There is an immeasurable essence of being together at the same moment, same place because the spirits come to be weaved in a pattern fitting into the ultimate canvas of the universe and leaves a mark forever to be there - something we can always keep alive in our hearts and memories as long as we live and love.

"‎Let the soul be assured that somewhere in the universe it should rejoin its friend, and it would be content and cheerful alone for a thousand years." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Sunday, July 4, 2010

Window treatment



To avoid gathering too much dust and space in the house, my father decided that we should put something opaque on the windows as an alternative to having long, dark curtains in our city home. I agreed with his idea and began searching for different materials that will pass for making simple but lively window decoration. I ended up with dark green wrapping paper and orange cartolina after deciding that green and white looks too... blah.


Now I can think of sunshine and grass all the time even if it's raining outside. :D

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...