A Day to Remember
By: Carlito E. Anonuevo
Nervous I was when I found out that there was an activity in Antipolo that particular day of August 31, 2008. The activity of course would center on the deaf children/students of San Isidro Elementary and High School. I couldn't explain but I was very nervous simply because that time I didn't have enough skills in sign language and I wasn't that confident to use my hands to sign. But because I have to conquer that fear and I have to expose myself to people with hearing disability I had no choice but to participate.
The day came, and everything was set for the activity. My batch mates (Batch 17) agreed to meet at Robinson Galleria. I was the last person to arrive in our rendezvous. Ma'am Nemz was there too. After a while we decided to go and off to Antipolo. No one among us knew the exact location of the place where the activity would be held. It took us a while to find the place.
When we got there, I was uneasy. I couldn't describe the feelings I had until I met those kids. At first I found them normal without any disability. All I could hear were the voices of the hearing who were present that day. Aside from those, nothing could be heard from the children. The activity started with the usual opening program. The children were grouped into two. The first group was composed of elementary pupils and the other was composed of high school students. I was assigned to observe and assist in the first group. All along I thought it would be difficult for me to convey the message to the members of that group but I was wrong. I was able to communicate with them simply because they were very participative and they really wanted to communicate with me. I found out that they have their own way of letting you know what they want.
During the activity, one kid got my attention. He asked my name and he introduced himself, but unfortunately I could hardly remember his name. I find this kid very intelligent though he was not blessed with the ability to hear. He was very active and his enthusiasm was evident. Like any ordinary kid, I saw in him the interest to live like a normal child in a normal condition. I noticed that he was different from all the rest of the kids there. From what I heard, a hearing impaired individual has the tendency to keep himself away from other people, shy and sensitive, but this kid wasn't. He tried to mingle with others well. In fact he led the group in the activity. When the event was over, I saw him downstairs looking at us as we went out of the gate of the school.
I told myself that one day I will be able to meet and see him again but not as a kid but a man that despite his disability is willing to face the world with confidence like that of a normal person. I will look forward to see this kid again with the hope that together with the other hearing impaired children of Antipolo will be given similar and equal
That hearing people will recognize that they, hearing impaired, are part of the society that they also need to be heard.
