NEWS: CRS Community Development Day: Assess towards Communication Success
3:27 PM
by Franchesca Mae
Camangian
1SLP
Three months ago when I decided to enroll in the University
of Santo Tomas (UST) and take Speech-Language Pathology (SLP), I knew my
priorities would change and that the next five years of my life would be
dedicated to my future patients – dedicated in the sense that everything I will
encounter should contribute to my knowledge and skills on how I will help my
future patients with their struggles. The next five years will be dedicated to
make life more beautiful for others. Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “The
purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be
compassionate, and to have it make some difference that you have lived and
lived well.”
And that is what we are here for. We are SLPs because we
want to make a difference.
The Community Development Day of the College of
Rehabilitation Sciences (CRS) was held on October 7, 2014, Tuesday. At the same
time, the Speech-Language Pathology Society (SLP SOC) Community Development
Committee in collaboration with the Physical Therapy Society, Occupational
Therapy Society and CRS Rotaract spearheaded the libRehab: Assess towards Communication Success. It is a community
project which aims to aid the development of hearing, speech, language, and
communication skills through community assessment and evaluation. The said
program was held in the HOCCSCI Lecture and Lab room as well as in room 609 of
the St. Martin De Porres building in UST for the children and parents under the
care of the Ursuline Sisters.
To give a brief background, the Ursuline Sisters residing in
Fairview are dedicated to help children with Autism, Attention Deficit
Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD), Cerebral Palsy, Down syndrome, and Global
Developmental Delay (GDD). The sisters
are trained with basic Occupational Therapy skills and they also have the
assistance of a physical therapist to attend to the needs of their children.
To transport the children with their parents from Fairview
to UST and vice versa, a coaster was provided to ensure their safety and
comfort. When they arrived in the HOCCSCI Lab room, I observed that they were a
bit shy but very excited. They showcased their sweetness and friendliness as
they flaunted their gorgeous smiles towards us! To let the parents relax for a
while, they were led to room 127 to watch a movie. At the same time, OT and PT
students then handled and played with the children as they waited for their
turn for their speech and language evaluation by the fourth year SLP students.
In the HOCCSCI Lecture room and room 609, the fourth year SLP students – facilitated by Ma’am Joyce Ponciano, Ma’am Ma. Cynthia Quiason and some of the SLP interns – evaluated each of the children.
While waiting for
their turn, the kids ran around, played with their OT and PT Ates and Kuyas, danced,
sang, and listened to music. Soon enough, their confident and bibo selves went out of the shell. When
the clock struck 12, the children and their parents enjoyed their delicious
lunch.
After, the evaluation continued. I could see the conspicuous nervousness
from them when they were first asked questions by the SLPs but they soon became
comfortable as the evaluation guised as play went through.
Finally, the program
was capped-off with a prayer and then they were led back to the coaster.
I am very amazed with the OT and PT students who never
shoved a frowning face even though I could see that they were already tired of
running around, picking up toys, and carrying the kids. I can bet that this is
a foreshadowing of the scenario of when we finally become certified
professionals. Despite the physical exhaustion, once we see the smile from our
patients, our hearts get filled with joy because we know we have served, helped,
and touched lives.
Amongst all the kids running and playing around, who really got
my attention was Joven. Joven was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy. When he saw
that the person beside him didn’t have any chair to sit on, he searched the room
for a chair, got one and placed it beside him. He then grabbed the hand of the
person next to him, made her sit beside his chair, and finally hugged her. When
I saw Joven’s act of kindness, I almost got teary-eyed. I never expected him to
do that. He was very concerned with the people around him and the hug he gave
was to reaffirm that she’s important.
Even though I was just in the corner – observing things and
jotting them down – I realized that there might be chaos and disorder around
but kindness shines. Kindness is pure
regardless of our individual situations. Kindness can rekindle relationships,
it can reaffirm self-worth, and it can inspire you to go further. See how
powerful, talented, kind, and sweet these kids are? What perfect creations of
God! It motivated me to strive harder and go the extra mile in studying and
preparing to be an SLP.
I remember when I was about to enroll for my first semester
in UST, my parents said: “Oh ayan ah,
from now on, your priorities will change. Focus on your goal. Remember why you
chose this course and align your decisions well to accomplish it.” And now
I see the people who need a helping hand and the beautiful things inside them
waiting to be unlocked despite their situation. I can truly say they are worthy
of realigning my priorities. They are worth missing every birthday party of a
friend just to study, every all-nighters just to pass the practical test, and
the next five years just to be an SLP. Sometimes, the one whom we help is the
one who will teach us a lesson first. The road will not be smooth, but it will
all soon be worth it.
So if there will come a time (and I am sure there will be)
when you feel like giving up because of stress in academics, remember Joven
giving you a hug. He reaffirms you that you are important. You are important in
making a difference, one word at a time. Again, what will give you the
motivation to keep going on and going the extra mile? It is your goal. What is
your goal? To make a difference and make life more beautiful for your future
patients.
Because they are worth it.
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