Friends with Special Needs

We hope you have enjoyed our discussion about friendships, specifically about sharing friendship with kids with special needs.

No matter how obvious the difference we may perceive in kids with special needs (whether in behaviour, physical ability, mental or intellectual ability, social ability), we hope you realise how very much alike we are in many ways, especially the need for true friends, respect, dignity and realising one's potential and aspiration.

In the video clip about Kennedy, a 5 year old girl with Down Syndrome, despite having suffered so much since birth (underwent multiple surgeries and challenges of developmental delay), she still wears a beautiful smile and inject bountiful energy to keep trying and learning. Her parents strive hard to keep her healthy, happy and provide a near normal life for Kennedy. Perhaps Kennedy is a good reminder for us to pause and count our blessings, thankful for our good health and grateful for the dedication of our parents.

In Bobby's story, he's a young man with high-functioning autism. He has 5 other younger siblings who are also diagnosed with autism. Bobby shouldered the responsibility of taking care of his siblings and grapple with his own difficulty in social interaction e.g. friendship. If you meet a Bobby in your school, is there anything you can do?

We touched on the issue about bullying. Bullying is any form hurt people, regardless whether the person has special needs or not. It probably hurt a lot more for kids with special needs because they have already suffered so much to try to be the same as others. Are you aware of kids being bullied in school? Is there anything you can do? Developing awareness is the first step. Making a choice is next. We hope the Dharma (having the right view, the right intention, right speech, right action, right effort, right mindfulness) will guide you in making the right choice. The video clips from ABC News on Special kid bullied on Facebook serves as an example of how cruel and thoughtless act can cause harm and suffering to a young man and his family, perhaps even society at large.

To end with a more uplifting note, we have two inspiring video clips. Eric, a student with autism who is class salutatorian and delivers an inspirational high school graduation speech. "Do not let others define you by your limitations rather your ability," says Eric.

The second is on Carly's amazing journey to find her true voice. You can read more about Carly at http://carlyvoice.com

Thank you all for your patient attention and fantastic participation in the discussion. We look forward to more fruitful and insightful sharing.

We also salute the brave Young People who come forward and share their own experiences with special needs friends as well as their own challenges growing up with special needs.

As mentioned, we posed the following question to Ajahn Brahm a few years ago;

Question: Ajahn, how do we teach Dharma to kids who have difficulty in understanding even the most basic things, some with attention problem who can't even keep still for a minute and some with little speech.

Ajahn Brahm's answer: "You don't teach them Dharma. They are the ones who teach you. They are your teachers."

Perhaps the essence of the discussion is not so much on how much we can do to help the kids with special needs, rather the awareness of how their presence have enriched our life and deepen our learning about humanity and humility.

"I may be different, I am not less."

Quote from Temple Grandin (Innovator, Author, Activist, Autistic)

With Metta,

Coach Yean Hoon and Coach Ean Keat