Special Needs Education

In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

Assalamualaikum

Title: Special Needs Education

The ending of Syaaban brought me a sprained ankle. Although I am robbed of my abilities to do things at a normal speed, like rushing into the MRT train in hope to get myself a seat, I am still thankful to Allah because I am still blessed with a pair of legs. But despite all that, I admit to feeling a little bit embarrassed because I have to limp around to wherever I go. People would stare at me, and they must've thought that I was crippled. & for a moment, I really felt like I was handicapped.

On the bright side though, this sprained ankle has taught me a lot and I am really thankful for that. It taught me a little something about humility. It gave me a little bit of an insight to how people with special needs feels like, each time they're out there with th society. & I applaud their confidence for that because it is not easy to pretend that people are not looking at you just because you are not walking properly.

This brought me back to 2009. I was in Secondary 3 and I had signed up as a student volunteer with MINDS. It was through this event, that got me develop an interest for Special Needs Education.

It was a Saturday morning & I hard my phone alarm ringing. I looked at the time, realised that it was only 7.00 in the morning. Daddy was getting ready for work and mummy was preparing breakfast. My sister and I on the other hand, we were still snoring our heads off.

Realising that it was only 7 a.m, I decided to continue snoring. Woops. & then I remembered about the volunteer attachment programme I had at Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Sleepy as I was,
I've decided to not attend the programme & dozed off again .

And then I dreamed a dream. A funny funny dream. I dreamed that Miss Lee scolded me for being late to NTU. I dreamed that I went to NTU without bathing and was panting heavily. Suddenly, Miss Lee shouted at me at the auditorium and this was she said:

" Suhaidah, how early are you ? Get your bag and go take a bath at level 2. Be back by 9am sharp! "

Everyone laughed and I was embarrassed. Well, that was the end of my dream. Now let's get back to the real world. Exactly half an hour later, my phone alarm rang again. I looked at the time, and realised that it was already 7.30am. I hesitated whether I should go for the programme or not. Then, I recalled about the dream. & I decided that perhaps, probably God really wants to me to be attached to this programme to help the mentally disabled.

So I got ready for the event, and made my way to NTU with the school bus. Upon arriving, we were brought to Lecture Theater 1. We sat in the lecture theater while waiting for our dear beneficiaries from MINDS to come. While we were waiting, the facilitators gave us our groupings. I was in Group 2.

Soon, after everyone had settled down, the briefing began. The facilitator talked about the game stations and the necessary safety precautions that we would have to take note of, as we tour around the game stations with our beneficiaries. He mentioned a part where he told us to be especially careful when our beneficiaries gets over excited. Because when they can't control their excitement, that is when chaos would come in.

Fifteen minutes later, each of us student volunteers were paired up with one beneficiary. Mine was Bernard. He was 32 years old and had down-syndrome. My facilitator James, told me that Bernard is one of the higher ability people & that he was rather independent.

When Bernard first saw me, this was what he said.

" Hi teacher, give me a high 5! "

Surprised by his friendliness, I said:

" Hey. High 5! "

After that, he shook hands with me.

" Teacher, my name is Bernard. High 5! "

I giggled and concluded that he probably loved to High 5.

" Oh you can call me Suhaidah. High 5! "

Then he was stammering over my name.

"Su su su ah ?"

As my name could be too hard for him to pronounce, I decided,

"Okay, you can call me Susu instead."

And that was how, I got the nickname Susu. Then, he smiled cutely and said,

"Ah teacher Susu, miss susu."

We were brought to Station 1 to do some fishing games. Then we played some games like flying the paper aeroplanes and some other stuffs that ordinary people would find it lame. I was surprised to see that these special needs people are easily pleased over the slightest things like when they win a game, or when they meet a new friend.

They were rather friendly and easy to go with; in my opinion that is. The key is, you got to think like them and be extra patient with them. I figured that they have one thing in which not many ordinary people like us may have; they are forever happy and cheerful.

After the event that day, I realised that Allah still loves us. I am fortunate for what I am & I am no longer bothered by how I look anymore. I just got to be who I am because at the end of the day, it is who you are on the inside that makes you a star.

These special needs people, they brightened up my day. They are unique and special. In fact they are better than some ordinary people. At least, some of them do have manners. At least, they don't vulgar around. At least, they aren't arrogant and they don't go around being sarcastic. They are like in their own world of happiness and I know that God will place them in Heaven one day. They're friendly. They're just like us. They aren't retarded. In fact, they are cute in a way.

As I recounted back the above mentioned event, now that I am pursuing Early Childhood Education, perhaps, I could take up an advanced diploma in Special Needs Education upon getting a Diploma in Early Childhood Education. Then eventually, do a degree course in Special Needs Education. And then, get myself a job as a Special Needs teacher, dealing with kids with special needs.

See, I have so many dreams and aspirations. But talk is cheap, if I don't practise what I preach. InsyaAllah, I guess for now, I'll just take one things at a time and we'll see what He has in store, for my future.