Preparing a New Life

After Lu graduated from vocational high school, mother Lu, who hopes her daughter can be more independent, reached out to Chih-Yu for help again. Later Chih-Yu and Eden referred Lu to the Vocational Rehabilitation Services Center for Persons with Disabilities, Labor Affairs Bureau of Taichung City Government, for vocational training. Currently, she is now having the assembling personnel training twice a week.

"We still hope that she can support herself in the future. After all, it is impossible to take care of her forever." Facing the cruel reality, mother Lu believes that giving her a fishing rod is better than giving her fish. "I hope Lu can learn a skill." The instructor at the Vocational Training Center said that Lu was doing very well. Other students might have to learn five or six times in order to familiar a certain task, but Lu can acquire itwith only one time. Lu can even take the bus to the center by her own self!

While asked about the plan for the future, mother Lu said that Lu loved to paint since she was a child. She used scribbles to release her emotions and now she can create characters and compile stories. Painting is a hobby that she enjoys a lot and has never given up. "Lu once told me, "Mom, can I do painting-related work in the future?" And I told her that we would definitely work towards this goal!"

(The Lu Family)

Family is one of the Most Important Keys in Early Intervention

Normally in Slow-Flying Angel’s family, parents not only pay extra attention to the child with special needs but also their siblings as they are also affected. Lu has an elder sister, who is 6 years older than her. Mother Lu eagerly shared to the other parents of Slow-Flying Angels: "I rather to have less income but spend more time with my children. It is crucial to grasp the golden period of the early intervention and provide required support. Otherwise as time goes on, both the Slow-Flying Angel and their siblings will suffer more. Money cannot buy children’s growth."

With Mother Lu’s efforts on taking good care of both children, Lu and her sister are very close and in a very good relationship. Lu’s sister often brings Lu to her work place whenever there are fun events. She always thinks of Lu and takes care of Lu and so does Lu. At home, Lu often shares what she has seen and heard with her family. "I used to worry about what if she could never speak? Now, sometimes we think she’s too talkative!" Mother Lu laughed.

When Mother Lu first found out Lu’s condition, she had a desperate time and could not sleep nor eat well for three months. But then she realized that she needed to pull herself together and help Lu as this is the right path for both Lu and the family.

Traditionally in Chinese Culture, people would want their offspring to have prosperity and be wealthy. That is not the case with Lu’s family. What they’ve been wanting is for her to have the capabilities and skills to take care of herself and be independent. "It's deceptive to say that we are not worry, but her condition is much better than before. I think it's worth the efforts after all the long journey. Thanks Eden and Chih-Yu for the help."

The early intervention service has finished, but Lu’s life journey continues. It is too soon to say that the clouds has left and sun has shined through. But for the following days to come, the Lu family will still support each other and walk together in the following journey.