SPECIAL EDUCATION: A LIFE, A SERVICE AND A SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT

Edilberto I. Dizon, Ed.D.

Let me, just this time, get out of an academic mold and talk about my son, JB, to
illustrate three interrelated themes: Being: In Celebration of Life, Belonging: Into a Bigger
World and Becoming: Toward a Positive Direction.

BEING: IN CELEBRATION OF LIFE

When JB was born after six months only of his mother’s pregnancy, I knew – but kept it
to myself—that there would be immediate and long term complications. My fears, however,
were overshadowed with joy that he was alive. As the team of experts said, ―He is a strong-
willed boy. He wants to live,‖ and that was it! His determination inspired the medical team to
save his life. Deep within me: ―This child will need all the love and care a parent can give.‖

I have been, since then, blessed with the presence of a courageous child who as a
neonate fought for his life. Everything else has become a piece of cake! I love him for what he
is and for whatever he will become—given his attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder, language-
cognitive deficit, and imperfect vision.

For me, loving a special child dissolves all burdens. Loving a God-given child helps me
define who I am little by little each day. Loving JB makes me a much more sensitive and caring
person and professional!

BELONGING: INTO A BIGGER WORLD

JB has been undergoing, since then, a structured multi-area intervention. I am

extremely happy about his progress and proud of his school and school- and home-intervention
team including his nanny-tutor who has learned the art and science of individualization, I have
been assessing him periodically and preparing his lessons—daily lessons – for implementation
by the nanny-tutor. I have identified long=term goals and objectives that will continually enable
him to live and learn with others, grow in skills and values, and be a part not only of a family
but also of a bigger community. There will be difficulty and discrimination along the way but he
is being taught to cope and be confident, His strengths are accentuated while his limitations
corrected/intervened step-by-step. He is a cheerful and warm boy because he belongs and is
provided all the opportunities given his normal counterparts.
BECOMING: TOWARD A POSITIVE DIRECTION

What will life be in the years to come? Such a question pinches me back to face the
future much more squarely. To assure myself, I rationalize by believing that the future will
depend upon each progressive step JB makes today. Each step multiply into innumerable
constructive steps will make up his future. He may not be an engineer or architect. I wish him
to be but he will make his own mark in his own ways—no matter how small. His current skills,
values and independence training are anticipatory of the future; I will also pray that people who
love and care for him will continue to be healthy and to live longer. More importantly, I will
continue thanking God for giving me a child He loves so dearly, and who wants me to partake
of such Loving.

―Lord, Thy Will be done!‖