My daughter, Evelyn (aged 3.5), suffers from brittle bones disease. Her bones break as easy as a fall or a hard bump. She is categorised as a physically-disabled child with mobility issues. Her intelligence is normal, hence she deserved a normal education.

She is currently walking independently. Due to her condition, she requires help at all times (at least at her age). This is to avoid accidents and to help her mobility.

It is sad that her condition is a cause of discrimination in our society.

In many developed countries, children with this condition are eligible to attend school with a medical aide provided by the authorities, not hired by the parents. The government will ensure that such children get a normal education, often supported by legislation and resources.

I spent some time explaining to some of the kindergartens. Two centres were willing to accept my idea, but with the terms and conditions that a medical aide must be hired to be with Evelyn at school.

I do not trust any of the medical aides here so I want to be the aide myself for my Evelyn. They declined my proposal right away because this may incur more problems to the centre when other children’s parents request the same too.

I have been home-schooling Evelyn for the past 2 years. Her intelligence is above her age level. So I thought of sending her to a kindergarten next year when she turns 4.
She is very eager to attend school.

Each time we pass by a kindergarten, she says she would love to go school like any other child. She is still too young to understand her condition. I have tried to explain to her the reason for not letting her to go school but she is very disappointed.

It is heart wrenching to learn about how our children with disabilities are struggling with "going to school". Just because they are "different" physically does not mean they do not deserve a quality and meaningful education like any other child.

All they want is to be accepted. – November 5, 2014.

* This letter is written on behalf of the Malaysian Partnership for Children with Disabilities.

My daughter, Evelyn (aged 3.5), suffers from brittle bones disease. Her bones break as easy as a fall or a hard bump. She is categorised as a physically-disabled child with mobility issues. Her intelligence is normal, hence she deserved a normal education.

She is currently walking independently. Due to her condition, she requires help at all times (at least at her age). This is to avoid accidents and to help her mobility.

It is sad that her condition is a cause of discrimination in our society.

In many developed countries, children with this condition are eligible to attend school with a medical aide provided by the authorities, not hired by the parents. The government will ensure that such children get a normal education, often supported by legislation and resources.

I spent some time explaining to some of the kindergartens. Two centres were willing to accept my idea, but with the terms and conditions that a medical aide must be hired to be with Evelyn at school.

I do not trust any of the medical aides here so I want to be the aide myself for my Evelyn. They declined my proposal right away because this may incur more problems to the centre when other children’s parents request the same too.

I have been home-schooling Evelyn for the past 2 years. Her intelligence is above her age level. So I thought of sending her to a kindergarten next year when she turns 4.
She is very eager to attend school.

Each time we pass by a kindergarten, she says she would love to go school like any other child. She is still too young to understand her condition. I have tried to explain to her the reason for not letting her to go school but she is very disappointed.

It is heart wrenching to learn about how our children with disabilities are struggling with "going to school". Just because they are "different" physically does not mean they do not deserve a quality and meaningful education like any other child.

All they want is to be accepted. – November 5, 2014.

* This letter is written on behalf of the Malaysian Partnership for Children with Disabilities.

My daughter, Evelyn (aged 3.5), suffers from brittle bones disease. Her bones break as easy as a fall or a hard bump. She is categorised as a physically-disabled child with mobility issues. Her intelligence is normal, hence she deserved a normal education.

She is currently walking independently. Due to her condition, she requires help at all times (at least at her age). This is to avoid accidents and to help her mobility.

It is sad that her condition is a cause of discrimination in our society.

In many developed countries, children with this condition are eligible to attend school with a medical aide provided by the authorities, not hired by the parents. The government will ensure that such children get a normal education, often supported by legislation and resources.

I spent some time explaining to some of the kindergartens. Two centres were willing to accept my idea, but with the terms and conditions that a medical aide must be hired to be with Evelyn at school.

I do not trust any of the medical aides here so I want to be the aide myself for my Evelyn. They declined my proposal right away because this may incur more problems to the centre when other children’s parents request the same too.

I have been home-schooling Evelyn for the past 2 years. Her intelligence is above her age level. So I thought of sending her to a kindergarten next year when she turns 4.
She is very eager to attend school.

Each time we pass by a kindergarten, she says she would love to go school like any other child. She is still too young to understand her condition. I have tried to explain to her the reason for not letting her to go school but she is very disappointed.

It is heart wrenching to learn about how our children with disabilities are struggling with "going to school". Just because they are "different" physically does not mean they do not deserve a quality and meaningful education like any other child.

All they want is to be accepted. – November 5, 2014.

* This letter is written on behalf of the Malaysian Partnership for Children with Disabilities.