When Mr. Chen yulun served at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped as an alternative service soldier, he feels peaceful and happy working here, so he decided to work at the Center and began his first job here on July 1, 2013. From that time on, he teaches at several special schools, like Hemei Experimental School,School-age classes and some of the special education students. It is really a special fate.
Access Chen Yu-lun teacher
◣1. Why did you choose to stay after you finished alternative service?
When I was an alternative service soldier at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped, my job was to help feeding students or other chores. A teacher at the Center found I did a good job and was suitable for the work here. She asked me if I wanted to try the job. If the answer is “Yes”, I can stay here after my decommissioning. The environment here is great. My major at college was not social-work, but sports and health, so my main job is to be a gym coach. I have been here for a year. I get used to working here and adjust to the job.
◣2. Have you had any setback while you served at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped?
I had a student who would give me gifts every day which made me feel disconcerted. My job is to observe students’ muscle conditions and provide them a proper way to exercise and rehabilitate according to my profession. But It's quite hard for them to exercise in the beginning because most of the multiple-disabled students lack exercise. Their stiff bodies are afraid of rhythmic movements because it is painful. Most of the students wiggled all the time to avoid training, so the effect is not obvious. I am not down because they never follow such rehabilitation methods from childhood. .
◣3. What's the difference between before and after you work at Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped?
I used to get mad at their actions which made people uncomfortable at the beginning. But now I am more patient and tolerant. I have to take care of them everyday, so I am just like their father. Therefore I learn to love them more, and learn how to take care of them and protect them from getting hurt.
◣4. What is the happiest thing that happened to you here?
I like to play with them and stay by their side. We are just like family. The feeling is warm-hearted. When I was an alternative service soldier here, I taught in the adult life care class. Their conditions are not very good. It means their language skills are not good enough to have a normal conversation with others, but you still could understand what they mean by their body language or face expressions. When I talk to them, I was just like talking to myself because they are severe intellectual barrier patients. But when they give me a contented smile or a sincere hug, I think that it is the happiest moment in my life.
◣5. Do your family members come to Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped to be volunteers because you work here?
No. They are too busy to visit here. It is a pity.
We took a photo with teacher Chen Yu-lun.
Due to the destiny, Teacher Chen came to Immaculate Heart Center for Mentally Handicapped as an alternative service soldier. Even though his major was not social-work, his performance impressed the staff at the Center. It seemed that destiny brought us together. I admired his good adaptation to a new environment. It may take me a long time to adapt it. As a careless person I am, I think Chen is a very patient, and admirable man who inspires me to follow, and I also learn a lot from him. Actually, there are a lot of good people around us! The world is always full of love.
Teachers need to stay with students in any timg while they are assisting students going home. In case, they can avoid any problems.
Super Star, Changhua County Lu Ming Junior High School, Taiwan.(For best browsing experience: 1280*1024.)