“No one wants their child to walk a harder path.” This is the heartfelt sentiment of many parents of slow-flying angels. Caring for children with special needs is never easy and requires the support of the broader community. This year, Eden once again join hands with Actor, Yo Yang, to promote four major operations for equal access to early intervention, with the hope that families in need will be able to access, understand, and confidently utilize early intervention resources; At the same time, we urge the public to treat them with love, reduce judgmental stares, and allow every child to learn and grow at their own pace, so they can bloom bravely in their own time.
Eden calls for the creation of a more inclusive environment for growth, ensuring that early intervention families have a strong support network, seamless access to services, and uninterrupted resources, all while accompanying children as they grow with confidence.
Eden released the “Social Friendliness Toward Early Intervention Families” survey today on 4th, Mar. The results show that while nearly nine in ten (89.3%) families have experienced kindness from society when out in public, nearly half (45.6%) of parents have encountered unfriendly treatment; among them, one-third (33.1%) reported that this happens frequently. When faced with unfriendliness, most parents choose to endure it or leave the scene, enduring long-term stress that also affects their children’s social integration. Regarding how to interact with early intervention families, 83.1% of parents hope society will offer more tolerance and understanding, while over 77.8% believe public awareness of children with special needs should be improved—moving from understanding to respect, and from tolerance to support—so that love can provide early intervention families with the breathing space they need to grow.
Ms. April Huang, Director General of Resources Development Division, Eden Foundation, indicated that hope to create a friendly and secure environment for growth through the “four major operations for equal access.”
Ms. April Huang, Director General of Resources Development Division, Eden Foundation, emphasized that every child has their own pace of development and should not be labeled or excluded from society simply because their progress is slower. Therefore, early intervention is not merely about rehabilitation treatment; it is a process of accompanying families through their anxieties and assisting them regain confidence. When the public demonstrates greater understanding and tolerance, children and parents experience less pressure and greater ease. Consequently, Eden is promoting the “Four Major Operations” for equal access to early intervention—zero distance in service delivery, a strong family support network, uninterrupted access to resources, and a more inclusive society. From deepening professional and diverse early intervention services to building family support networks, we are gradually creating a friendly and secure environment for slow-flying angels, allowing every child to thrive and blossom at their own time.
Following this advocy campaign three years ago, Eden once again invited Actor, Yo Yang, to be our Charity Ambassador this year, joining slow-flying angel Hsiao-Pao and his father to share their experiences. Having been concerned with early intervention issues for many years, he once again spoke out for families with slow-flying angels and shared his thoughts on parenting. As a father of three, he has gained a deeper appreciation for the dedication and hard work of caregivers through his own journey of raising his children. At the event, he joined the slow-flying angel Hsiao-Pao in making a “Many Thanks Mini-Planter”, symbolizing the nurturing of hope through understanding and support—just as every flower is carefully tended in a friendly garden, accompanying the child and their family. Yo Yang also called on the public to take concrete actions to support these families, pooling more goodwill to become a vital force assisting them move forward with stability.
Eden Foundation Ambassador Yo Yang joining hands with Slow-Flying Angel Hsiao-Pao created a“Many Thanks Mini-Planter” on-site to present to his parents, expressing gratitude to the caregivers for their tireless efforts.
Seeing their child’s progress, Hsiao-Pao’s parents felt deeply comforted and hope that society will treat slow-flying angels with greater kindness, supporting them as they grow up bravely.
Hsiao-Pao is five-year-old boy, was diagnosed with cancer before his first birthday. After recovering from six rounds of chemotherapy, he was found to have autistic tendencies. Two years ago, he briefly attended a regular preschool, but because he could not express his emotions or needs, he would cry at the school gate every morning. After being referred to the Chiayi Early Intervention Service Center, where he received guidance on eating using partitioned plates, physical movement training, and echolalia-based language therapy, he gradually learned to express his needs and interact with adults through simple gestures. His parents were deeply heartened to see such significant progress. This therapeutic journey is like gradually watering the garden of his life with trust and a sense of security, allowing his abilities to grow little by little.
Ms. Feng-Tsun Chou, Director of Eden Chiayi Early Intervention Service Center, shared that early intervention not only assist children progress but also provide warm support to caregivers.
In recent years, children laughing, playing, and running around in public spaces have easily become the focus of attention. For families with slow-flying angels, in the spotlight is just as an especially heavy burden. Hsiao-Pao’s father shared that because his child’s social interactions are not yet mature, his expressive abilities are limited, and his disability is not highly visible, they are often misunderstood when out in public—accused of intentionally pushing or touching others—and met with strange looks. As a result, the family often avoids crowded events. He hopes society will show understanding and tolerance, so that early intervention families do not have to withdraw from the world out of fear of judgmental stares, and so that children can explore freely and live with peace of mind in a welcoming environment.
Five-year-old Hsiao-Pao, a child with developmental delays, has seen significant improvement in his verbal skills after more than a year of early intervention services at Eden. He can now express his needs and is gradually integrating into school life.
Eden’s early intervention services are now in the 32nd year, assisting over 20,000 children with developmental delays and their families annually through a variety of services, including daycare, hourly sessions, and home-based care. We urge the public to support the “Service Programs for Underprivileged Children” and to accompany early intervention families on their journey with understanding and tolerance. For more details, please visit our official website at www.eden.org.tw or call 0800-025-885.
