Free and easy

Ben Yao, me and his art work.

"Ask me a millionaire dollar question," asked teacher Wendy.

" What are we going to do today for art class?" The class asked enthusiastically.

" It is your favorite ( activity to do for art class). It is free and easy!" replied teacher Wendy.

I was lucky to be paired up with Ben Yao. He planned to draw Christmas tree, Charles Angle becuase it is his favorite movie. He also incorporated a drawing of a dragon because Chinese New Year is coming.

First, as a habit, he wrote his name and his plan on the back of his drawing block. I was surprised his handwriting is quite neat and tidy as I had the assumptions of his handwriting being amateur.

During the art session, he shared with me that he got fired from his job because he do not have a good anger management. I acknowledged it and he continue sharing that banging his fist on the table is a way for him to express his frustration.

I am glad that he do not mind opening up and share his personal stories with me. However, on the other hand, I was a little shocked that he lost his job. I wonder how and who can help/train him to better manage his frustration.

Whenever he tell himself out loud not to get angry, I praised him to keep up his effort in controlling his anger. I hope by giving encouragement will aid him in believing himself that he can climb over his own mountain.

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There was one point in time when a Y*Star member, Laura, tapped on everyone's shoulder when she is on the way for the hairdryer to dry her paint on her artwork. Ben Yao was unusually quiet and the other Y*Star members, whose shoulder was tapped, sweep their shoulder and show a frustrated face.

I assumed Ben Yao didn't like Laura as well so I told him don't get angry. Ben Yao then put his head on my shoulder. I guess he was appreciative of me encouraging him to cool down. I then remembered what teacher Wendy said during volunteer's briefing : tell them nicely not to put their head on volunteers who are on the opposite gender ; this is because they might think that volunteers are comfortable and will do so on strangers who are good looking on the public transport and they might put their head on stranger's shoulder.

I then told him nicely that he cannot do lean on me. It was a pleasant surprise that he turn to look at me and apologized straight away. I then replied : ' It is alright , next time just remember not to do it again.' I also praise him to keep up the good job.

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Refection

I learnt that I myself have also been holding to the stigma of their handwriting not being neat and I learnt that they do have emotions like everyone else. Just like how Ben Yao expressing his annoyance towards Laura. I wondered if Singaporeans are aware that people with less visible disabilities have feelings and they need emotional support as well.

' Take an incident that happened 16 years ago to Ms Phua's son, who was four at the time.

The boy saw two golden retrievers in a park and, drawn by their exuberance, went and played with them. Suddenly the dogs' owner appeared and pushed the little boy.

He fell on his face and cried. Ms Phua was shocked and asked the man why he would hit a child, especially one with special needs. The "big, burly man", as she puts it, responded flippantly: "Your son has special needs? So do my dogs!" '                                                                                  - The Straits Times

The number of the disabled in Singapore is likely to rise. If Singaporeans continuing to discriminate them, those who are intellectually disabled will get hurt and eventually become segregated and isolated.