It was a week ago, when I encountered and have accepted the word “CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS and SPECIAL EDUCATION” with a positive attitude and vision. The thought and the feeling of reverence for people in such condition was so alive in me that I even wished for an opportunity to study further about cases in the said field, in the future. I regarded it as something that is so special and have considered the work of dealing with people with exceptionalities as something that is beyond patience, beyond the sense of work, beyond love. It is something that is exceptionally inspiring and life giving. But I never thought that this feeling of mine will change. I never expected that such feelings are far beyond reality. Shame it is to myself, to have realized that the views and sentiments I mentioned above were based only on my shallow admiration of people who make a twist in the lives of those who have their “own world”, like Helen Keller or like the mother in the movie “Son Rise – A Miracle of Love”. How did I ever reach into such state, from the sense of awe and wonder to a sense of distraction??? A few days ago, I received a message from home that one of my nieces, who is months old only, has shown signs of having a down syndrome. I could honestly say that at that very moment, I was caught in a hostile talk with my God. Queries arise from within: What are we to deserve such thing??? Of all, why us??? I know I don’t have the right to question my Maker, nor should there be no space in my heart and in my mind to doubt God’s goodness. I know… I know… I know… BUT, for that moment I was not able to UNDERSTAND (ni hindi ko nga alam kung ako ba’y magagalit, maaawa, o mahihiya) .Yes, I acknowledge my weakness, and in recognizing my weakness I’ve learned to see the light. I have realized that it is easy to say, I AM FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION. But the sincerity and the flesh and the true meaning of being for the Learners or for people with special needs are best measured and tested if and only if, one among of our closest relatives are in the said condition. It was a tough experience of having lost my zest for special education to discovering the true essence of being for it, towards reclaiming my passion and love for people with exceptionalities and the field that looks after their needs. Now, I could better understand how painful it may have been for all those who have experienced the same experience as I had. Now I understand how tough the process one may have undergone to have reached the level of acceptance. Indeed, it is only when one has experienced how it is to have a family member who is in such gracious and blessed condition could he/she truly and wholly say, I AM FOR SPECIAL EDUCATION.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 09:40:38 +0000