Bringing life to the special needs child
“When I think about her future, I will worry” says Seri as she looks pensively at her daughter Rani who suffers from AUTISM, ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder) and has poor eyesight. Rani stays at home most of the time, helping with housework and cooking as Seri feels ashamed, embarrased and is unable to cope with Rani’s behaviour and the stares of strangers outside. Every day Rani would say goodbye to her brothers as they head to school and lead the normal life of a child that she was excluded from having. Deep down she grieved at this painful rejection. Secretly Seri hoped that she would outlive her daughter for fear that there would be nobody to care for her.
People with learning difficulties (special needs) represent the largest category (107,164 2009 stats) amongst the 280,000 people listed with a disability in Malaysia (2009 stats. Not including the thousands unlisted and hidden). They include those with down syndrome, Autism, ADD , ADHD, dyslexia etc . The above scenario represents some of the many difficulties faced by special needs children, the most important being integration and inclusion into society as independent productive individuals. According to NASOM, it is important for special needs children to receive proper training from as young as four years old as it would help them become independent and able to follow simple instructions ( NST 9/5/11 prime news p12)
With this in mind Malaysian Care’s Department of Services for people with special needs thru its inclusive pre -school education (where normal and special needs children attend), school age programme, young adult, Day training centre, Job training centre and Production workshop has prepared young adults with special needs to enter the workforce, into open employment. In the Job Training centre, a mock up factory setting and job coaching helps them to learn discipline, teamwork, communication, forming friendships and self responsibility whilst in a production workshop they are entrusted to do the whole contract work like packing for real customers like KFC but in a sheltered assisted environment.
All these programmes by Malaysian Care have helped many people like Yee Han, Kenny and Matthew find permanent full time work. Matthew who works in a logistics company was presented with a certificate of perfect attendance , his manager commented that he
” is now successfully executing his responsibilities smoothly, even with the increased volume, while at the same time mingling with the rest of the team. He is treated like any of the other team members and participates actively in all activities, contributing whenever possible. …. Matthew’s dedication and commitment is second to none. We are confident and assured that he is an asset to the organization.” (Care Contact 3rd quarter 2011)
Let us pray for Malaysian Care’s Department of Services for people with special needs that they will be even more effective in preparing special needs young adults for open employment. Pray that more and more parents, caregivers, especially the poor will not hide these children but send them to Malaysian Care’s inclusive pre school, school age programmes and young adults to young adult programmes, day training, job training and production workshop centres. Pray also for all the 428 rehabilitation centres in Malaysia providing care and training to disabled children, that they will be effective and accountable and will receive Government support and funding. We pray against those who prey and take advantage of these children preventing them from having a full life. Lord protect and shelter these defenceless young ones in your arms. Let your prayer runners be open and teachable as Malaysian Care trains us for Run Nat Grace community service. Let our hearts be open towards helping these special needs children, especially those from poor families.
Weng Hong Run Nat (M) Prayer Commission Head.