"Make sure you back up your son's art works and many of his digital graphic arts from his computer." Words of wisdom from my son's teacher in High School. Comforting words of support and guidelines that we adhere and we must follow because it's a must in today's world when so many data are lost in the computer internet world when some juvenile delinquents richer than you are hacked and will steal or has stolen some artworks made and created by gifted students. I know my son, looking at his work of arts they are really good and worthy of praise. He's got his streak of artsy hands from me. Now that's not being conceited but being frank and honest. Every parent in the world are just proud and happy to let everyone know that their children exceed or excelled in something worthy. My other son is not equally gifted with the arts however he is really amazing when it comes to communication and English is his forte. He should study Literature or Philosophy and Theology in University but that's not his main objective in life. I don't want to ask him further. It's really up to him what he really like to do. Me and his Dad are just here to support his objective and goal whatever that is most important. My daughter on the other hand is autistic. She is autistic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! What is autism anyway? Just like others, just like other children, kids and many teens who were diagnosed with this kind of learning disability where parents get so fed up because it's a diagnosis without a cure. There are too many negative feedbacks and news story about autism and it makes me upset every day of my life since we found out that she has that disability. That I'll be with her through thick and thin because autistic people need to be dependent on the many aspects of daily life. That I have to worry about what she needs to wear, what she needs to eat everyday. What 's next to do? They cannot function the normal way because they need the guidance most of the time. There's a need for them to give them a shout to do such thing or autistic people should always be reminded about something like it's time to have breakfast, lunch and dinner. That it's time to go to school or have a bath and time to sleep. They lack the normal view of life as it is. They don't know what time is and most of all they think they are alone in this world. For them it's their world not yours. They have a world of their own and you are only included if you try to include yourself in their own mentality. It is a difficult situation. Even teachers at school obviously have problem dealing with autism. They will tell you they know its definition and meaning and they know what to do. Experts, doctors, and many helpers tried to separate their autistic students from the rest of other students. You think that help? Or just made the situation miserable? There are 3 kind of autistic diagnosis: the gifted, the high functioning, and the low functioning group. Her doctor once said at age 5 that she was a gifted child. Able to memorize the whole Aristocats movie and the whole character's dialogue. Other cartoon shows where there is vocal words being said, she knew them by heart and can mimic almost everyone's part. Imagine she knew the whole story and she knew what those cats are talking about, their dialogue she memorized at age 4. She can count from 1 to 20 and print at age 6, she can write her name before entering nursery. She can solve so many games that requires mental acuity, find clues and finished a certain game before time lapsed. Her artworks are better in Elementary years then she lost sense of appreciating the talent when she was in Middle School. She loves swimming and she's really good at it until she learned how to skate. She is either good in soccer or skates as what the teacher said. That I have to find out. I just know my daughter being so good in swimming. Not that of skating or soccer. But I have to find out right?
Life skills? The importance of life skills should be administer in all schools and Colleges here in Canada. The government should provide lots of funding for the needy children, and teens especially those who are "born Canadian." Provide the funding for your own people not the people from other countries! When you cannot provide resources for your own people that means you cannot and will never provide anything for new immigrants. Take that Mr. Jason K and Mr. Harper. Maybe Mr. Flaherty knew that all along. His son has disability and many Canadians suffer the same kind of problem and that they have to give importance. Cutting the budget for the SCHOOL is not the solution. Cutting the budget for the school means having your children suffer the consequences and you and your own children has to suffer with the government.
EDUCATION at home and education at school is very important to all of us. It is vital to growth. It is the knowledge that gives you the power to communicate and be a better person. It what makes you human. Education clothe you and gives you the dignity you deserve. It gives you the distinct character of sense of responsibility and respect.
E. Verna Turner
