==TAIWAN==

Do you care for special children? Do you know what they need?
A few months ago, in Taichung a bill to set up a school for children with mentally retardation was introduced. Many people objected it. Because they thought that the school would hinder the prosperity.(What a ridiculous excuse it is!) But many parents were still hoping. Today, I heard a bad news that the legislature didn't pass the bill. From the newspaper, I saw a picture of a weeping mother. She is so sad. Poor mother, she couldn't change the result and must take it. Then went home to confront her child, take the burden again. How cruel it is! l felt sorry for her and deeply disappointed with the legislature. Through the picture on newspaper, I felt as if I had heard the mother's sob. How I want to comfort her and share in her sorrows.
Our society seems to care for nothing but money. Money is the most important thing to them. They want to make more money but don't like to "waste" money on those children. Everyone just thinks about himself."A school for children with entally retardation?" "Who cares?"........ l have a chill. Nobody considers others. Everyone is so cold and unfriendly. I really hate that.
This thing impressed me deeply. I could hardly imagine the hardships that those special children's parents undergo. Without the resources of education, parent's burden becomes more and more heavy. They worry about their children's future. They can't take care of children for a whole life. One day, They would leave children alone. So, our society must do something for them. To share the burden with those parents. It is necessary to set up well educational system for special children. Let them to basic skills to be independent of their parents. And even they can make their living by themselves. Don't you think it is great!
Some people are afraid of these children. When confronted with a special child, they feel awkward. They avoid special children because they don't know what to do. But remember that we all live in the same world. They are port of our life. We need to understand these special children. And to extend what they want most --Friendship.
Maybe one day the mother won't cry anymore. I hope someday we will find the mother smiling. �@