Blind and multiple handicapped

There are times when you can count yourself lucky. You are reasonably healthy yourself and so is your family. This was going through my head when I visited the 'School for the blind with multiple disabilities' in Cha Am.

The buildings, far from civilization, only date from 2016. Realized on one and a half hectares of land, donated by a wealthy lady. Under the protection of the Thai royal family (especially the late King Bhumibol) and provided with the necessary monetary gifts.

The whole looks nice, but the current 40 young residents will not like it. Blindness is already a problem, but the additional handicaps make that problem almost insurmountable. That misery almost makes me emotionally incontinent…

We don't come empty-handed, even though the children don't see it. Some Thai partners of members of the Dutch Hua Hin and Cha am Association have conceived the plan to provide the school with the necessary relief supplies. The collected amount has been supplemented by the Dutch Lions from IJsselmonde, so that a pick-up can be loaded with diapers, drinking water, cleaning products, food and so on. And bandages, because some children hurt themselves on purpose. As usual in Thailand, these are displayed on tables on the stage. How come I somehow feel uncomfortable with that?

A handful of children sit against the back wall. The boy behind the keyboard tries to get Jingle Bells out of the device Later it turns out that they are going to perform for us. Now they stare blindly into space, autistically repeating the same movements. Photographing and filming is no problem: the children won't notice anyway.

After speeches by the group leadership and the director, the performance was blown as a thank you for our gifts. Tears come to my eyes. How happy can we be with our (relative) health!

The school is unique in Thailand. Only two of the 40 children come from their own region. The rest come from all over Thailand and mostly from poverty-stricken families. Often they can only come and have a look once a year at the most. The maximum capacity of the school is 120 children.

Then they can eat. They do not attack like other children, but must be guided one by one to their seat. Because of our visit, they get fries, frankfurters and chicken nuggets, cut into pieces. I see the fingers sliding over the food. Some need to be fed, others drop what doesn't taste on the floor. I admire the patience and care of the guidance.

In the brochure of the school I read: “We will develop the blind in society with dignity, happy productive citizens, not a burden to society. Life begins with a chance. That chance increases with education.”

I have no idea what will happen to these children when they are about 15 years old and have to leave this school. I'd rather not think about it.

The Christian Foundation for the Blind in Thailand, Krungthai Bank Cha am Branch, 717-0-33051-2