SpeEd unLIMITed : A Very Special Run

When a parent is blessed with a child that has special needs, the greatest challenge is learning how to make him or her grow with whatever ability is given. I have seen it by my own eyes and in some ways experienced it first hand. 

Let me first share you the story, I was accelerated in elementary, jumping from grade three to five, I attended my classes at the special education building of Justo Lukban Elementary School in Paco, Manila. Never did I thought that I would pass the acceleration exam because as far as I remembered I didn't talk much during the interview. I was an introvert back then, blaming it to my speech lisp that was caused by being born tongue-tied. In result, I feared speaking to other people that made me extremely quiet on my first 3 grades in another school, coupled by the bullying I got. My exam results, scholastic records and my extra curricular activities from my previous school were the basis of my acceptance in the accelerated class.

I will never forget my 2 years stay in the SPED building, for at that young age of 9 to 10 years old, I was enlightened on who and what they are and how to understand and connect with them. We had special classes, like a sign language class and an extra PE class together with kids that needs special attention who are at the same age range as ours. Once a week, we were tasked to assist them on their art activities and therapies and socializes with them during our break times as we share the same canteen and libraries with them.

As I had said, I was born with a speech disability that made me take an extra class after the regular schedules we have. It was with Ms. Tolentino and Ms. Gueco, my fifth grade English and Math teachers respectively --- who also did my entrance exam interview. During my first 3 days, they observed my aloofness therefore on one of my break times, Ms. Tolentino approached me and said that I got high scores during the written entrance exams and they saw potential on me and most specially they wanted to give me free therapies. With that 2 years stay as a regular accelerated student, I had a three times a week of one hour class with other kids that needs therapy to correct their communication difficulties. Thereby, giving me a deeper relationship and insights on special children. Honestly, I even considered myself as one. 

With the experiences I had and having friends with kids with more special needs than me, I knew and saw the struggles they had as well as how hard it is for a parent or for the family to give them the normal life that they truly deserve amidst all the stigmata of the community. Facing the challenges, of everyday life becomes a marathon that seems to never have a finish line and yet, parents of childen with special needs will always find ways to let their children experience the best of life --- and one of them is through sports. 

Organized with Pinoy Aspiring Runners (PAR), it will be held on January 31, 2016 at the CCP Complex.