The recent Saturday of November 9th, 2019 was a special day. It was Amos' graduation from Rainbow Centre and it could not have been more meaningful and memorable.
Life is full of surprises. Double that at graduation. If you've checked out our latest post on Facebook you might have caught a glimpse of Amos' antics when he went on stage to receive his certificate. Well, here's another snippet. In case you were wondering what exactly he said that went with his dramatic dab-power-pose. It was this:
"TO INFINITY AND BEYOND!"
That's right. Buzz Lightyear has been his favourite character for months now and Toy Story 4 completely fortified it. The unexpected motto was also delightfully fitting to the graduation theme of Pixar, which the entire team at Rainbow pulled off tremendously well. What's more endearing to the occasion was the positivity it carried, and the reminder for us all to keep believing in the possibilities for kids like Amos all over the world.
Here we'd like to share something we shared at Amos' graduation.
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Today we celebrate a milestone, collectively as a very special community united by a bond that transcends race, nationalities and culture. It is a bond that does not discriminate and makes us equal and privileged in our own unique ways.
On March 17th 2013, two wonderful events took place: Singapore celebrated World Down Syndrome Day, and our second child, Amos, who has Down syndrome, was born.
In January 2014, Amos began his journey here at Rainbow Centre and in this remarkable community we found a second home. For countless times we were down and discouraged and were lifted each time in knowing that the Rainbow community is here for Amos. Along the way we have known many teachers and made many friends. Without whom I cannot imagine how much more difficult our journey would be.
The world has only begun to know Amos. Through the years we have received looks and stares; some might appear questioning, even disapproving. Yet we have also received smiles of delight, of amusement and compassion. We are heartened each time someone calls Amos by his name and welcomes him into Rainbow as a pupil, as a unique individual. We are inspired when a teacher goes the extra mile in helping Amos acquire a new skill or a new habit. Every little milestone is significant to us. They are, after all, tiny steps towards greater things.
Teachers of Rainbow, thank you for doing what you do. You saw a lack in society and went right for it, even though you could have chosen to be somewhere else. You have embraced a calling, entered the lives of our children and have made yourselves an indispensable part of their future.
This future may not be one of academic distinctions—one filled with grades, university degrees and Olympiads. It’s going to be a future of honest, humble skills which most of the world take for granted. By lovingly and patiently instructing your students in these skills you have given them purpose and made this future real.
Many of you have seen how Amos has grown; from a chubby, floppy little tube-fed toddler to a sprightly, cheerful six-year-old who yells out his teachers’ names and runs head-first into
them. Through your dedicated teaching we have acquired skills to help Amos at home. Amos loves going to school because of you; and because of you, parents like us have hope in our children’s future.
There are times when you might feel drained and hollowed. Don’t. Because without you this milestone will never be. And from the depths of our hearts we thank you.
For parents out there who resonate with us, take heart and do not be discouraged. Continue to enjoy your children and grow with them. In time the world will appreciate their beauty, because we believe the special needs community is here to shape a better society.
Rainbow Centre has been so closely a part of our lives. We, and our older son, Joel, have grown so accustomed to it, so comfortable. This graduation marks the end of a chapter—one that leaves a void in our lives not easily filled. Yet the ending of one chapter only marks the beginning of another. And it is in our choice to make it an even better one.
In closing, please allow me to encourage us all by the words of our late-teacher Kai Qin, whom we so sorely miss: “Dream big for Amos.” she told us.
And dream big we will, because the most wonderful realities began as dreams. So let us take heart and forge on towards these dreams; take them as far as we can for our children. Never stop hoping and never quit learning, for the best is yet to come.