In 1999, the World Health Organization estimated that the number of blind children across the globe was 1.4 million. These estimates were largely based on the association between under-five mortality rates and the prevalence of blindness in children. They also estimated that 45% of blind children were blind because of avoidable causes and that the pattern of causes varied between countries and even within countries. 90% of the world’s visually impaired live in developing countries and low-income settings.
Living with such a disability as blindness can have a huge effect, not just on the child, but also on their families. Children who are born blind will struggle to learn how to behave in a way that is deemed ‘normal’ to society. Blindness from birth not only affects the physical development of a child but also their emotional and social development. This is because, if you think about it, 75% of what we learn as small babies is through our vision. So, for blind children this opportunity is not available to them. The estimated 1.4 million blind children around the world need visual rehabilitation interventions for a full psychological and personal development. Globally, school provision for blind children is inadequate and especially in developing countries where only 10% of blind children receive any kind of education. This will have a dramatic impact on a blind child’s lifelong career opportunities. Families caring for a disabled child can experience enormous pressure and strain. This can put strain on relationships within the family and even lead to family breakdown. The economic cost can be two-fold. Firstly, parents may lose earnings caring for their blind child. Secondly, as the child becomes an adult their chances of gaining employment may be significantly reduced because of their disability. Without education, care and support, life for a blind child can seem dark, lonely, lacking in stimulation and hopeless.
However, there is one very special example of hope that I would like to share with you. In China, in 1919, Wuhan City School for the Blind was established. It is currently the only school for the blind in Hubei Province of China. Since it moved to its current location in Hongshan District of Wuhan in 1961, it has become one of the largest special education institutes in China. It caters for the needs of blind children ranging from primary school age to high school age. It provides a specially designed curriculum for over 150 students who are children of all ages with impaired vision or lost sight. There is a focus on arts, music and physical development. It is often said that blind children are usually born with relatively better hearing and a stronger sense of music. Believe it or not, the school encourages students to overcome visual disability and participate in more sports activities, like rope jumping, goalball and more. You may be amazed to read that the students of the school have won 11 medals in National Para Games of China.
At Wuhan City School, there is a talented music teacher, called Zhang Long. She has been granted many awards for her work in education. In 2011, Zhang Long left the traditional educational system where she had worked for many years to join the school. She brought with her a new perspective and new methods of teaching. She was like a breath of fresh air to the school.
Her initial experience of the school was that she felt it was too quiet and depressing in comparison with other schools she was used to teaching in. For example, no one would make a noise. The children would stay in their seats during recesses in silence. However, she did not give up. If anything, this strengthened her determination to be part of the lives of these impressive children. Her task was not without obstacles however. Students would not show up to music classes because they thought the only future for them was to become a blind massage therapist. They felt hopeless. Zhang Long couldn’t understand this, so she decided that she needed to understand the children better. She blindfolded herself to live the life of the blind, only to find that, the students’ lived in a world of darkness and insecurity. That’s why they wouldn’t leave their seats and why their lives were restricted.
Zhang Long started her work to bring back music to the students. She established a radio station in the school. She founded “Six Dot Angels” art ensemble to gather talented kids. She invited other teachers to do performances for her students, including the ocarina, cucurbit flute, suona horn, etc. It stirred up the passion within the students. Pretty soon, the students came back to classes and began to show Zhang Long their impressive musical talent. Amongst her inspirational students was Gan Wenjun, who was a gifted piano player. He has even played with Richard Clayderman in concert and has won national awards. Then there was Wu Di, who was a talented singer. After some professional training, Zhang Long had managed to help her record and release her first song. In 2016, the students’ dreams came true when they had a big concert. Zhang Long reaped her reward when she saw all the amazing achievements of these children at the concert.
Zhang Long did not treat the children differently because they are blind. She taught them that they are not there to be cared for but that they can help others too. They can find a way to express themselves and to help others. She taught them that everyone in this world is different but there is one standard for how to treat people. These inspirational children have grown in confidence as a result. The parents have been amazed at the deep changes in their children.
Zhang Long has instilled the belief that they can achieve just like normal kids do, only with the right guidance and a little courage. During it’s time, Wuhan City School has been a place for over 500 blind children to chase dreams and has seen many rising stars in music, sports and teaching. This school, through the work of Zhang Long and others has inspired blind children to dream dreams and believe that they have a hope for the future. She has brought light into a world of darkness.
They are not “blind children”, they are just children.
Watch this inspirational story….
http://premium.bon-cloud.net/content/you_are_not_blind-children_you_are_just_children
Sources used:
Bon Cloud, ‘You are not “blind children”, you are just children’, International Business Development – story brief
http://www.gresham.ac.uk/lectures-and-events/blindess-in-children-the-global-perspective
Freelance Writer And Homemaker