PLEASE READ! (A message from a mother with a special child)

WALA KANG UTAK AT PUSO PAG DI MO BINASA ITO!
This message was forwarded to me by Tita Cel thru friendster. D naman lingid sa karamihan na may kapatid akong special child na madalas kutyain at pagtawanan ng mga taong walang puso at walang utak. Biniyayaan ka nga ng utak na matino pero d mo naman ginagamit ng tama.
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FW: THOSE WARM SMILES ARE PRECIOUS
Original message from IKORSKEI:
> Hi, i would like to invite you to please join our group the SPECIAL PARENTS AND FRIENDS' OF KIDS W/ SPECIAL NEEDS.
>
> It's really challenging to have a child born to have or have acquired a need/s that should be specially addressed.
>
> The bills for therapy sessions, developmental pedias, specialists would pile up like plates, not to mention sometimes it could be heart-wrenching like seeing my child trying his best to do tasks as if his future would depend on it. And the questioning stares of others, hurtful side glances, even smiles that I'm sure weren't meant for a warm prelude to friendship.
>
> Let me share with you a story: Me and my son was having a snack in a fast food chain near Makati. He wasn’t able to finish his meal so he told me he would ask 'ate' from the counter for a plastic bag. I was proud at that time for his initiative and confidence. So he went to the counter. He told the service crew from the counter for a plastic bag, but I guess my son was not clear on producing the ‘s’ sound (for which he was having a lesson on speech therapy) inconsiderately, the girl laughed! She made my son repeat the words and was still laughing. Helpless, she asked the next girl from the counter to help her ‘decipher’ what was that my son was asking .and I guess the words came clearer for the second girl she gave my son the plastic bag. I was looking throughout the incident, I knew my son’s confidence and the girl’s attitude would not deter him for accomplishing a simple task and so I watched, pained.
>
> How many are out there, like the girl in the counter who would laugh at a special child’s slurring words? and how many are out there, like the second girl from the counter who would look still, encouraging in a special child’s eyes and try to understand? Not many.
>
> Help them understand. Help others know that an encouraging look, a warm smile, a small tap in the shoulder, a steady hand to offer would mean a lot to a child with special needs. It is the belief of others that would make them confident to go on and a chance to make their lives a better place to play, laugh, sing, dance…even though others would judge but there will be a lot like us that understands and believes and that is all will matters.
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> Please join and be a friend to children with special needs. The next time you’ll see one offer a smile and you’ll see an angel smiling back at you.
>
> Sincerely, Ycor (mom of a cheerful child with special needs)
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Join us spread the word. Make them feel that they are indeed special.