They are Normal...

I was at Eastpoint yesterday running errands when I felt hungry. I decided to grab a bite at Banquet. It was around 4, and the place was relatively quiet; in fact, more quiet than usual. Yet there was a long queue at the chicken rice stall.  As I walked past, I began to understand the reason for the obvious 'silence'.

If one was in a hurry, and oblivious to the surroundings, the teenagers who stood in line would have passed off as ordinary secondary school kids.  They were clothed in their school uniform, and perhaps, no one would bother to give a cursory glance at the name of the school they bore.  But because of the 'looks' people were giving them; and the sideway glances, I took notice.

I recognised the name of the school - it was a place where students with special needs go to.  It takes in children who are severely autistic, and those who suffer from down syndrome. It became clear by the faces of some of these kids there that they look 'different'.

But as I sat there, a sense of deep respect and admiration grew.  They were so 'different' than some of the other teens who were there.  Maybe they realise that eyes were on them.  People were openly staring. These teens did not draw attention over any disorderly manner...in fact, they were the most well-mannered children.

Their 'disabilities' made them awkward and perhaps a little clumsy.  But they did not rush nor made a nuisance of themselves in public.  Under the teachers' watchful eyes, they helped each other with the heavy trays of food.  They ensured that everyone had their food first before proceeding to tuck in.  They passed out tissues, and politely told the ones who had shaky hands to be mindful and not dirty the tables.

There were conversations going on, but at a level which they did not need to scream nor yell. Some broke into a mini 'dance' upon hearing the upbeat music being played, but again, it was low-key fun.

Whoever says that these are not 'normal' children...think again.
They were definitely courageous, civic-minded , and everything you want some of the normal vulgarities-spewing, loud teens today to be.

Bravo...
You can hold your own in society.