Hi Everyone,

In the last newsletter we explored diversity in culture and how enriching cultural diversity can be in our great country, AUSTRALIA! We also noted the important values we can instil in both ourselves and our children by seeking to understand others.

Every year on 3rd of December, people around the world take part in International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD). It is a day to celebrate the achievements of people with disability and promote awareness, understanding and acceptance in the community. So celebrate this special day and make positive changes to the lives of 4.4 million Australians with disability to create a more inclusive community.

My first experience of a person with a disability was when I was in grade 2. There was a student in my class who was legally blind. Her parents must have been COURAGOUS AND PROACTIVE as I used to marvel how I would see her ride her bike along the path on weekends! Eventually she did leave to attend a school for the blind. I still remember her name and often think of her when I read of the fantastic achievements of many who are living with a disability. Many years later I was taught to play the recorder by a man who was blind since birth. Also in primary school there was an older boy who used callipers to enable him to walk. One very wet day, he asked if he could borrow my glasses as the rain keep getting in his eyes and he couldn’t wipe them! I could speak of other experiences.

Occasionally I am asked by a parent if I can work with a sibling of a child with a disability, as having a sibling with a disability can have its challenges for all family members. I empathise with these students, and seek out what coping skills they have and what strategies they have when life gets a little tough at home. These families often develop strengths and skills that enable them to embrace ALL their children with love and care.

I also like to emphasis how special they are to have a sibling with a disability and what they may be learning – skills of helping, caring and responsibility. But, maybe even more importantly they are learning the values of empathy, understanding and compassion.

The journey is not an easy one and varies from family to family. But what I have discovered is that when COMMUNITY is involved the journey is a little easier.

So let’s help our children embrace those living with a disability, to further develop empathy, understanding and compassion, as well as helpfulness and kindness. A starting point may be wearing a blindfold and find our way around, or putting earplugs in our ears and finding other ways to communicate. Let’s also not forget those disabilities that are more difficult to see, such as learning disabilities eg dyslexia, ASD and mental health disorders.

Sometimes I show students with You Tube clip of Nick Vujicic, an Australian man born with no arms and no legs – SO INSPIRATIONAL!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOGvw53OBUs

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBt5E2eJ8y8

Just two of his inspiring videos.

Read more at https://www.idpwd.com.au/ about this special day that celebrates our differences, and continue to learn and grow in love, compassion and kindness.

There is JOY in life in all its forms if we look hard enough. This reminds of when my husband, Peter, and I had a stint in the southern highlands of Papua New Guinea. Peter put his engineering skills to use and made a rudimentary wheelchair for a teenager who had a disability. We can still picture the JOY in this young man’s face as his friends pushed him along, sometimes letting go on quite steep slopes! FREEDOM!

So, let’s continue to care for one another and make this world a better place!

To the WHOLE ACPS COMMUNITY – WHAT CARE AND RESPECTFULNESS YOU HAVE SHOWN THIS WEEK TO ALL. THANK YOU! WE NEED EACH OTHER AS WE PULL TOGETHER!! My thoughts are with those not well at this time – hope to see you soon.

Take Care!

Robyn Mulholland (School Chaplain) robyn.mulholland@education.vic.gov.au)

Grade 5/6