By Marie-Claude Pelchat | Project Leader
Facing Challenges with Courage
A mother recalls her experiences raising a child born without a nose, a condition called congenital arrhinia. Because tracheostomy tubes are used to facilitate breathing, this causes frequent throat issues and brings many inconveniences to daily life. The child’s different appearance often draws curious stares and sometimes hurtful comments from others. The mother recalled once taking her child to play in the park. When other children saw him, they pulled their parents aside and asked: "Why doesn’t he have a nose?" Despite these challenges, the mother remained strong and sought early intervention and psychological support from Sunshine Foundation to help her child navigate these difficulties.
Advocating for Acceptance and Understanding through Education
After graduating from kindergarten, as her child prepared to enter elementary school, the school worried that it could not provide a perfect learning environment due to the child's special situation. The mother actively connected with various resources, including pediatricians, to ensure the school could provide a supportive learning environment. She also asked Sunshine Foundation to go to the school to carry social education activities that promote respect and understanding among students. She even wrote a heartfelt letter to all parents, encouraging them to teach their children about acceptance and friendship, and encourage their children to become good friends with her son.
Dear Parents of OOO Elementary School,
You might have heard your child mention a classmate without a nose. As a parent, you may have hesitated and doubted what your child said. Yes it’s true, my child is different and he is missing an important facial feature. You may be thinking: “How do I explain this to my child? How do I tell this to my child so he or she can understand?” The fact is that we all have unique features. No matter how similar twins are, they still have differences. Some children just have "differences" that are particularly obvious. Because children do not understand these obvious differences and don’t know what to do, they end up being timid and miss the opportunity of becoming friends with special children. "Becoming a special child" is not something that children can choose on their own, but as parents, we can choose how to teach our children how to "respect and learn to accept the differences of others." Maybe one day your child will come home and share with you that he has made a "very special-looking good friend". It’s important to teach our children to respect and accept these differences. Encourage your children to make friends with those who look different and celebrate these unique friendships.
Supporting Special Needs Children
The foundation has long supported children with unique appearances due to medical conditions. We understand the worries and guilt parents feel. The process of raising children is already full of challenges. In order to let their child grow up freely and happily, parents of children with a facial difference put even more effort. When their children enter school, many parents become very anxious, worried about how their children will get along with their peers, and are deeply afraid that they will be laughed at and bullied. Creating a respectful and friendly environment is crucial for the well-being of these children. That is why Sunshine Foundation provides ongoing support to children and families. This includes psychological counseling to help parents deal with stress and anxiety, as well as to help children build confidence. We also carry out social education in schools to teach about Face Equality and create an understanding and accepting environment for children with facial differences.
By Marie-Claude Pelchat | Project Leader
By Marie-Claude Pelchat | Project Leader
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