By Stephanie Ann Elaksendar | Deaf Blind Multi- Handicapped Teacher
Deaf –Blindness refers to combination of hearing and visual loss that severely impedes communication, education, employment and independent living. In this case jimmy’s story is an inspiring ones. Jimmy is a quiet and gentle 13 year old from Penang who is much loved by all his fellow classmates and teachers. His teachers mainly describe him as jovial and passionate about food.
Jimmy was born with a bilateral hearing problem as part of rubella syndrome. As he grew, he encountered several developmental delays and learning difficulties as well as being mute. When he was 7, his vision began to deteriorate, leaving him totally blind and multi-handicapped. This was diagnosed as bilateral chronic retinal detachment.
Before he joined St. Nicholas’ Home in 2015, he was overly sheltered and lacked many skills. He threw tantrums when asked to do things independently and was also unable to feed and dress himself. As jimmy is both deaf and blind, he is unable to speak, making tactile signals his main mode of communication. This makes it quite difficult to communicate with him.
From a boy who could only move independently inside his house and had limited skills, he has now mastered most of the skills taught in deaf-blind and multi-handicapped classroom and he has grown to be very independent and obedient. He enjoys following a strict routine which has been set up with the aid of his teachers, and usually protests to any deviation from it.
Jimmy has a sharp senses of direction, after breakfast he does not want to be guided like his peers to the classroom. He is the apple of most of the housemothers, teachers and volunteers. He seeking attention by humming and approaches to hug his teachers and caregivers when he agrees to or likes something. Jimmy has learnt many things very quickly and he responds well to instructions by sign language.
Jimmy is now able to feed and use a white cane independently. He is also able to walk long distances on his own and understand signals such as when to return his bottle to his bag from his table and when to bring his cutlery and plates to the washing area. He loves taking morning walk, using the seesaw and going for outings. He also enjoys spicy food (especially sambal belacan with curry) and fast foods but hates vegetables and fruits. One of jimmy’s favourites past times is playing and wrestling with his best friend and fellow classmate Raagavan, who is also deaf and blind.
He manage to learn how to cope with his disabilities despite being very young and having little guidance in his early life to become the strong and loving boy that he is today. Jimmy’s progress has been outstanding so far as he continues to surprise with his resilience and there is no doubt that he will only grow stronger as time goes on.
By Katja Foerderer | Volunteer
By Syaza Batrisyia | Resource Development Intern
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