Special Kids Needs Special Parents

 

Special Kids Needs Special Parents

From Manila Standard, July 22, 2000

I.           SUMMARY

Romeo Conrado, a 10-year old child was diagnosed in 1990 with cerebral palsy diplegia. According to his mother, Mrs. Ana Libunao she haven’t faced any difficulties with her pregnancy. The only thing she noticed was the kicking of her baby and moved nonstop intervals during the pregnancy.  And when she gave birth, Romeo came out reed thin because he is a pre-term baby at seven months. There is quite different in Romeo according to the nurses. They found out that he clutched for air that’s why he kicked hard and the umbilical cord was found all tied all over his neck, causing in insufficient maintenance of air.

When Romeo was an eight month old, they’ve noticed that he could not carry his head well. He moved it endlessly in a counter clockwise manner.  The pediatrician recommended them to see a neurologist to better assess Roco’s ailment and the assessment resulted in having a cerebral palsy diplegia. Roco’s brain suffered from central and peripheral atrophy resulting in damaged motor skills. At first his parents had a denial and could not imagine the magnitude of negative feelings but it took them some time before they are able to move on. Because his parents don’t have a stable job so his parents struggle to gathered free or cheap services to render in their son’s condition.

II. REACTION

Cerebral Palsy is a range of neuromuscular disorders caused by injury to an infant’s birth sustained during late pregnancy, birth, or any time during the first two years of life.  Cerebral Palsy causes a wide range of difficulties, from a clumsy walk to an inability to speak, swallow, caused by faulty messages sent from the brain to the muscles.

In the case of Romeo Contrado, son of a very loving mother, Ana Libunao who faced unto this situation. Roco was a pre-term baby at seven months old causing to brain damaged from central to peripheral atrophy, resulting in damaged motor skills. In the article mother had a denial stage wherein she asked God for letting this happened.  Living in a simple way in such both parent don’t have permanent work to sustain the needs of their child, they are bothered on the future of the child. We all know that educating the child nowadays with exceptionalities is a very tough thing to do because of lots of expenses from diagnosing, assessing a child a letting him to be in school.

As we all know, the population of the Philippines is increasing every year. It also means that there is an increase of special children with special needs like those who have cerebral palsy, mental retardation, ADHD and autism. A lot of teaching techniques have been introduced and are being used in SPED schools.  As we can see, the education of special children here in the Philippines is really expensive. Before a child is enrolled, they still need to observe, assess and evaluate him as each kid has different needs.

The main question is: What if the parents of the special child in the Philippines do not have enough money to send their kids to school?

The usual answer: Consult a Public School

Today, we usually hear news reports about the shortage of books, school supplies, classrooms and the like in public schools. What more for public SPED classes? (I can imagine a worse scenario.) In countries like England there are public schools which are supported by the government to render free services to children with special needs held their free tuition fee.

We know parents who would enroll their kids to normal schools in spite of the fact that they know that their child has special needs. Ok, you enrolled him in a reputable school and the administration gladly accepted him. Do you think he will do just fine? Do you think he can meddle easily with his classmates?

I am not saying this to make the parents of special children feel bad or to discourage to enroll their kid in a public SPED school. I’m just trying to say that this make an appeal to the concerned individuals to also focus on SPED. The increase of children with special needs is alarmingly growing. They have the right to educate and a right to live a normal life. Parents do want the best for their children so work on the program that are best for these kids and follow them correctly. There may not be any cure available for their conditions now, but they can possibly improve for the better.

In case of Roco, his parents can’t afford even the wheelchair to help him move because his motor skills damaged and the therapy needed by him. In this situation, the parents should give him the same amount of both love and discipline you would to any child. Having Cerebral Palsy doesn't mean they need sympathy and create a stimulating learning environment in the home. Don't be disheartened with no answer or no repetition from the child. Keep continue stimulation. She need to be patient and to provide different clues for the stimulation is needed and enjoy and respect her child's individuality.

It is important to take care of one’s health most importantly when pregnant because their might be complications that will affects child’s condition. Good sources of professionals are very helpful in sustaining the good health of the child in the womb. I can’t misjudge the reaction of both parents when they know the condition of their child because every parent wish a healthy child but then a special one is given to them by God so they should take it as a gift for them. Parents should be strong in front of their child so it will give them hope to dream and continue their lives.