Disability could be understood as the state which denies one
his or her identity, power and dignity in the society. But all these misconceptions are being erased out by the St Ursula Special School trying to restore the
power, identity and dignity of disabled children in our societies who have been
marginalized. As part of the course on Trauma, Identity and Power, we
decided as the class to shift our theoretical concepts to practical ones in the
field. We visited the school of children with multiple disabilities.
The school is named after St Ursula; it is called St Ursula Special School. Indeed, it is special from others; since, they are helping children who have mental disabilities. These are children who have been marginalized by some of their families and society. The vision of this school is to empower these children so that they may be acceptable in society and their families. They are being taught some basic education, such has cleaning themselves and even going through the same academic program as other normal children do. Despite their disabilities, they do things which are very amazingly and helpful in the community. For example, they are making rosaries, table clothes, and necklaces as a way of realizing their talents. This means that there is no human being in this world who is completely powerless to contribute something good to society.
The school is named after St Ursula; it is called St Ursula Special School. Indeed, it is special from others; since, they are helping children who have mental disabilities. These are children who have been marginalized by some of their families and society. The vision of this school is to empower these children so that they may be acceptable in society and their families. They are being taught some basic education, such has cleaning themselves and even going through the same academic program as other normal children do. Despite their disabilities, they do things which are very amazingly and helpful in the community. For example, they are making rosaries, table clothes, and necklaces as a way of realizing their talents. This means that there is no human being in this world who is completely powerless to contribute something good to society.
St Ursula Special School is a place where
these young boys and girls can feel parental love and realize their talents
despite of their nature. I felt bad to hear that in some situations their
parents can reject their own children by not identifying with them as their
offsprings, simply because they are lame or have mental problems.
The school
has taken a role of enlightening them on their rights as human beings. Some of these children have been beaten, raped and abused. The dignity of some of these children has been violated. Strangers could manipulate them. Now it is our role as human beings to fight for the right of these
children because they are like us, although their nature distinguishes them
from others; they have the same dignity that I have and the same that you have,
so take a step and help disabled children where you are now. It is a challenge
to us, religious, to bring back to society, those who are marginalized and to
restore their dignity. From that special school, I have noticed that children
are the same despite the disabilities, and we should not deny the identity of
these young children from ours. Let us try to be identified with them, try to
love and you will be loved.
Collins Imbussi