Help Special Need Kids/Siblings Learn From Groups

Weekend group activities have just started for a few weeks this semester. There is always a small figure walking back and forth on the sidelines to practice and walk. She is Dora, a freshman on roller skates, a first-year student in elementary school.

Dora was born into an ill-fated family. Her father died before she was born due to an accident.Dora was raised by her mother alone, and she also relies on her mother to take care of her in daily life.Dora is a premature baby, born at seven months of pregnancy, with a birth weight of only 2.24 pounds. Dora grows day by day under the careful care of her mother.When Dora was one- year- old, her mother found that she was not very good at walking, and she took her to the hospital and was diagnosed as cerebral palsy and developmental delay due to a brief hypoxia at birth.  Early intervention and rehabilitation were subsequently started.However, the seemingly stable situation no longer last. Dora's mother was diagnosed with a rare cerebrovascular disease a few years ago and was hospitalized for surgery, which also resulted in impaired speech function, slurred speech, and slow movements.Although Dora's mother was suffering from illness, she still cared about Dora. Fortunately, after treatment and rehabilitation, Dora's mother can now take care of her own life and continue to take care of Dora.

Although Dora's appearance does not look much different from that of ordinary elementary school students, her growth and learning are relatively slow due to cerebral palsy.After a long road to rehabilitation, Dora did not learn to walk until she was 4 years old. Her right foot was relatively weak, and she walked a little wobbly and walked slowly. Now Dora occasionally uses a wheelchair, but she can also use assistive devices to walk.

Dora, who participated in the association's group activity for the first time, looked around curiously, and kept saying that she was both nervous and excited. She and her mother never thought that she could roller skate.When  put on roller skates for the first time, she did not know how to walk because the wheels would roll, so she was a little shocked. With the encouragement and support of the coach and mother, Dora stood up.After she got used to wearing roller skates, she moved slowly step by step with her walker.During the process, Dora occasionally said that she was tired, needed to rest, and even thought of giving up, but seeing the other children passing by quickly, Dora also wanted to shuttle freely like the wind. Dora looked at  her mother who was protecting her, the encouragement of the coach and the teachers of the association, and the cheers of other children, Dora decided to try harder. After the break, Dora took the initiative to stand up and said she would continue to practice. In the end, Dora happily said that she would continue to practice when she went home, and come back next week!

Dora also wanted to participate in other group activities and play with the children, and she asked her mother to help her sign up for Taiko. Although she couldn't stand for long, she could sit and strum with everyone and beat with the rhythm. She was serious and happy in every class.

Seeing Dora's progress and perseverance, her mother was moved, and also knew that she had to let go slowly and give Dora a chance to learn independence.

Dora's optimism and perseverance can make her have the courage to face the future. We believe that there are more wonderful things in the future waiting for Dora!