Special-needs children can be taught to be independent – Assemblyman

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SIBU: More classes need to be set up to equip special-needs children with the necessary life skills to make them more independent and live a more fulfilling life.

JUST THE WAY YOU ARE: Goh (fourth left, back row) joins in the 10th anniversary of Special Olympics Malaysia, Sibu chapter. He is joined by (from left, second row) Dr Chin, Wong, Sim, Tai and Ngieng (second right, back row).

Tiong Hin Primary School, for instance, had responded to the call to set up few classes to cater for the needs of these children, said Pelawan assemblyman Vincent Goh.

He added that Special Olympics movement and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had played active roles in providing support for children with special needs.

While facilities were available, parents too, he said, needed to bring their children with special needs out more often.

“Studies have proven that greater exposure and interaction between people with special needs and the community at large are extremely beneficial to both parties,” Goh said at the 10th anniversary of Special Olympics Malaysia, Sibu chapter here on Saturday.

Among those present were Sibu Resident Sim Kok Kee, Sibu Municipal Council (SMC) deputy chairman Daniel Ngieng, Sibu Divisional Education officer Wong Chong Kung,  Sibu General Hospital director Dr Chin Zin Hing and Special Olympics Malaysia, Sibu chapter chairman Jason Tai.

Concurring with Tai, Goh said there was no reason why children with special needs could not lead a normal life.

He, however, was glad to note that these days more parents were getting involved and taking their children out.

He observed candidly, “Continue to do so and you have no cause to be afraid of what a few may say. This is because the overwhelming majority of us only have respect for you and love for your children.”

Citing his personal experience, the assemblyman noticed that many children with special needs were very polite and caring.

He added, “These qualities are sometimes lacking in many of us today and it would be meaningful if we can just learn or re-learn these qualities.”

Meanwhile, several children spiced up the night when they took to the stage.

Putting on costumes made by their mothers, they paraded confidently and showed their unique outfits to the supportive crowd.