As the end of the school year nears and the due date for the project approaches, looking back at the volunteering I have done over the past few weeks has really been an amazing experience! I have learned so many new things from my fellow students in Room 28. They have taught me the importance of patience, tolerance, and most importantly acceptance. People see them as different and even say rude things, but they could see us the exact same way, but they don't. They see everyone as equal individuals and care for people no matter who they are, which really shows what amazing people they are. When "normal" people see something wrong with individuals they automatically point it out and see it as a flaw, but the kids in the special education are honestly some of the most genuine and caring individuals I have ever met. Throughout my time with them I can proudly say I have made new friends who I will miss dearly over the summer. They have taught me how tolerance and patience can get you far with them because to be around them it takes patience, I never thought of myself as a patient person but they brought that out in me. When I am around the students they are always so open and honest with me, which I love about them. I don't get why people think it is ok in any way to make fun of people with special needs or not see them as "normal", to me there really is no such thing as normal anyway. My last journies with them have been so great, and I hope to go back next year and hang out with them!
During my last few days with these students Marjan and I walked in on them cleaning out and organizing cabinets for the summer. I saw Meghan in the corner struggling to get things out of the cabinet so I went to her and asked if she needed help, immediately she smiled and said "Yes please!". Once Marjan and I got involved more of the students did as well, Shubhendu and Andy came and helped myself and Meghan, not too long after that Jessie and Alxea joined as well. Partly through the clean up Meghan got tired and told me she wanted to sit down for a bit so she went away and eventually came back to help some more. Before I knew it, it was time to go back to class, and Shubhendu assured me that he would continue to help Meghan clean since I was leaving. The next day Marjan and I went in again but we weren't needed for very long. They were all going to Lake Elizabeth for their end of the year Senior Picnic. That day Ms.DeLeon just asked us to keep the kids company while they went out and loaded the trucks for the picnic. Allison, Cosmo, and Sheena kept asking if I was going with them and when I told them I couldn't they all frowned and said "Awww. Why not? Come on!". I really wish I could have gone and spent more time with them. I loved how they got bummed out that I couldn't go it really made me feel like I have made an impact on their lives, even if it was just something as small as becoming a new friend to them.
Going into the room today knowing it was one of my last days made me sad in a way. I will go from hanging out with them almost everyday to not even seeing them which is a bittersweet feeling because it's almost summer and supposed to be an exciting time but I won't see them for 3 long months! So as I talked to them today I asked them all if they were excited for summer and of course Allison's response was "Yeahhhh baby!", and everyone else is equally as excited. Cosmo is especially excited to go to Taiwan again, she goes there every summer and her favorite part of being there is getting new Hello Kitty things. My time with these kids has been amazing and I will cherish all the memories I have with them, sometimes they really make my days better. My experiences there have really made me realize how to appreciate the smaller things in life and how really blessed I am to have been able to share a part of my life with all of them. Everyday the teachers thank us for going in that day and we usually respond with "No problem", because going there has been no problem since we have been able to have great times with our peers. My goal for next year is to go back and visit and just catch up with everyone and how theirs summers went, I already can't wait!
3 comments:
Isabel it's so great that you have had such a wonderful time with these kids. You're truly helping out this school with such a big social issue. You're completely right that "normal" doesn't exist and these kids shouldn't be picked on or criticized by other kids just because their different. I'm glad you have made new friends, it seems you have really impacted these kids lives, keep up the good work Isabel.
Isabel! I had blast working with you the past couple of weeks with the special ed students! i do believe this job does take a lot of tolerance and patience but at the end it is a very wonderful and benificial experience because they teach you many things and you learn a lot about yourself as well! I had great laughs with you , especially when you attempted to draw hello kitty for cosmo! Haha(:
Your a great person for helping these kids out. They really need it and they are always going to remember you for it. I'm sure they all love you and I love what you doing to help them out :)
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