Half Baked and Soft Boiled

Of being half baked and soft boiled.

Soft boiled eggs are yummy and I love having it for breakfast! With soya sauce and pepper, toast at the side and good ol' tea. It's lovely~!!

Half baked cakes are yucky... It just simply means that it is not baked enough, and it should have been in the oven longer.

Being called half bake is not nice. Well, at least that's what I've learnt. It means that you are not ready or not done.

Being called soft boiled....? Well, I've never heard of it. :p

Chapter Three!!

Earlier this year, I began to interact more with young adults with learning difficulties at my work place.

As much as I love working with children with special needs, I also like to explore new areas of work and now, it is with these young adults.

Just a brief history, when I first started in this work 5 years ago, working with young adults with special needs is the last thing on my mind. Or should I say, never would I say yes to it! Reason being very simple, I was SCARED of them!!! =O

Some of them are bigger than me, older than me, stronger than me, what if they have behavior problems, and start tantrum like the kids?!! I'd be a goner......

Anyways, yea... Those were my fears. hehehe....

Okays, in the months passed, like what I've written earlier, I began more frequent interaction with them. Learning the way they communicate, learning to listen to them, learning to see their strength, learning to help overcome their weakness. Do you know when you give time and chance to learn something, you will slowly start loving it?

So there, just a little update, Chapter Three has begun at work~!

I'm moving into working with young adults, while still being involved in children work. What this new task entails, in short summary, is to help these young adults gain employment and to support them at work. This new work for me is kinda exciting and cool~! Not to mention, it can also get really dreaded boring at times.

Just to share what has happened in the recent days. My colleague and I had the opportunity to bring a team of our trainees (young adults) out to job placement training. I must say and congratulate this team. Some shined beyond our expectation and I am just so proud at what they could achieve, especially when given the opportunity and the support needed.

Through this experience, I just want to say, lets move beyond "Charity Mindset". We don't need the charity of employers or for them take our trainees as charity work. We are not asking for handouts.

Lets embrace us "Rights Based Mindset" can we? Are you able to see the economic potential of our trainees? Given the opportunity and support, I must say they are as valuable as any person that you invest your money and time into.

Here's a true story for you.

Random Thoughts 3

You can only learn new things when your heart is open and it remains humble.


With every bricks thrown at you, use it to a build house.


If you fall, pick yourself up and walk.

Jabber HwAT?!!

An article on Autism in the local newspaper caught my attention recently. Reading it, I was curious about who these two guys were. So, the curious little me, I checked them out on the official website of Wretches & Jabberers. And I am so glad I did.

Trying to organize my thoughts and putting it into word.

Reading and watching their video online has created a new awareness and insight to Autism for me. It gives fresh hope, it gives fresh perspective, it gives fresh outlook.

It just convicts and reminds me once again not to ever dismiss the children who are seemingly too "severe" to be helped.

Looking at Tracy and Larry.... Oh my..... These two guys are simply just what I needed; to give me a slap on my face and not to give up hope on the little boy whom I was struggling to teach.

I was also embarrassed when one of them mentioned "Stop getting us to point at pictures. Help us to communicate". Do you know just how challenging it is to teach a young kid with Autism?!! A "severe" one I must say!!

It was such a challenge trying to understand why he does what he does. It was such a challenge that he wasn't "looking". It was such a challenge that he wasn't "talking". It was such a challenge that he does not "understand". It was such a challenge not seeing the desired results. Sometimes, I just wonder if it would ever work.....

At 5 years old, I believe he is taking it all in.

One day.... Just that one day.

I am praying and looking forward, I know he will break through.

For the record, it is in my own personal conviction that I will never ever, EVER dismiss a person with disability as beyond hope. It is just a matter of opportunity. Do I have what it takes to embrace them in my world?

Watching the short snippets of Wretches and Jabberers, here are my thoughts on it:-

1. I thank Tracy and Larry. These guys taught me why they have those weird actions and behaviours. I now understand the children better. At my work, I get asked a lot why these children behave the way they do. Now, I can just ask those people who asked to view their video on YouTube. =)

2. These guys taught me to change my attitudes about disability and intelligence. With the kids that I am working with, they bring such joy, though at times I struggle and wonder what goes on in their head. Thank you for showing me that there is intelligence in these kids. I always know that it is in there; somewhere; but I got to confess it doesn't show in their appearance. I thank Tracy and Larry that they still have that very distinct Autistic traits, even now as an adult, and I like it very much. It brings much comfort and naughtily, amusement to me in a good way.

I've got a feeling that we are looking towards a brighter future and exciting breakthroughs for children with Autism. And I am loving technology for the good it does in helping these children to communicate.

Just by being who they are, Tracy and Larry; their advocacy and global mission to change attitudes about disability and intelligence, I salute them for their effort. I salute their team of dedicated people. Keep up the good work guys~! Cheering you on!!

Talking to me?

I was just reflecting about a group of young adults whom I interacted with lately. They made my day, made me smile, and rekindled that passion again. I must say that sometimes, I do enjoy trying to listen to them and what they have to say. Most of the time, I just nod my head, whether I understood or not was another issue... hehehe....

Recently I was seated beside a guy who has Down Syndrome and does not have any speech. He is kinda new at work, I was helping to supervise that he does his job well. Anyway, as he was packing straws, doing it rather painfully sloooooooooowwwwwwwww............ suddenly he pointed to his hand indicating that it hurts. Being the usual me, I ignored it.

Him not being happy that I ignored it, he showed his hand to my face, with a face that says it hurts. OK, I get the message that it hurts, so I acknowledge how he felt and ask him to get back to work.

And now. He was clearly not satisfied with my response and seeing that I did not get his point... This is the part where I love most...

And this is what he did.

He took a straw and with the pointy end, poke it on his hand, and made an "Oouch!" face... And with that.... I finally understood what he was trying to tell me.... Sigh~! I love how he actually go all the way to make sure I understood what he was trying to tell.

And with that... I finally acknowledge that I understood what he felt and meant, and said "Oh... Its alright. Just becareful when you handle the straws." And he got back to work.... =)

What I Thank God For

What I thank God for, in the preschool inclusion project that I have been involved in...

For this year, 2011, I thank God for:

1. The 21 children attending the programme, of which 7 of them have special needs.
2. Of the 7 of them who have special needs, there are interesting cases that we are working with for the first time. 2 of which have their own case managers, another 2 of which have never had any intervention, another 2 of which have disabilities that I am new to. Nice~!!
3. The completion of writing the lesson plans, (which got my brain juices almost dried up in 2010).
4. The awesome, dedicated, wonderful teachers in the kindy who really loves the children and give their best in teaching and coming out with interesting, fun, learning materials.
5. The awesome, inspiring, principal who truly is out there to shine the love of Jesus through her care and practical ways to help the children and the families.

I am so loving this project.... ;)

Random Thoughts 2

Candle gives light, only when it is burning.

Life is a marathon, it is a long way to go before the finish line.