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The foundation has 80 students—half with special needs—and 17 staff members. Children with autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities play harmoniously with nondisabled children.
Many schools separate the developmentally delayed, the mentally and physically challenged and the students with special needs from the rest of the pupils. But Maryknoll Father Brendan O'Connell loves and teaches them all—children with disabilities as well as nondisabled students—at his inclusive Bethlehem Foundation Preschool in southern Taiwan. All are the apple of his eye, but the 69-year-old missioner from Brooklyn, N.Y., admits that his heart melts whenever he walks into a room and sees a child who is disabled.
"The children don't need me to have a compassionate heart," he says. "They don't need charity. They need justice. They need education."
This need is as great today, he says, as it was 30 years ago, when O'Connell, with a newly acquired master's degree in special education, took over the administration of St. Raphael Opportunity Center, Taiwan's first school for children with mental and physical disabilities.
"At that time the center had been opened for only 14 months and we had to go looking for handicapped children," he recalls. "Parents didn't want anyone else to know they had mentally retarded children, so they kept them home."
By word of mouth and a bit of good press, the center became known and "people started coming out of the woodwork from all over Taiwan looking for help," says O'Connell.
The stigma attached to mental retardation has lessened considerably in Taiwan, thanks in part to O'Connell's efforts. "I've seen a great deal of progress and changes in attitude," he says. "Parents are getting involved and forming associations. The government has begun to provide services, and the legislature passed a law recognizing the right of every school-age child, with or without disabilities, to public education."
Grateful for the advances made on behalf of the children, O'Connell still has greater hopes. He wants them fully integrated into Taiwanese society. To that end in 1997, O'Connell founded the Bethlehem Foundation, an "inclusive educational" preschool for both disabled and nondisabled children. "I want the children to feel comfortable and accepted by other students before they begin primary school."
The foundation has 80 students—half with special needs—and 17 staff members. Children with autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities play harmoniously with nondisabled children.
Today Fr. O'Connell is anxious to review preparations for the upcoming graduation ceremony. All the children gather outside to rehearse the skits, songs and dances they will perform before proud parents.
Everyone participates, even 4-year-old Ling-ling, who suffers from Rhett syndrome, a severe degenerative disease marked by compulsive hand wringing and general irritability. Unable to walk or even hold herself up, Ling-ling is strapped into a chair that's mounted on a wagon.
Given the many awards O'Connell has received in recognition of his work and dedication, one could argue that he is one of the best things to happen to children with special needs in Taiwan. Chances are, he'd be the first to say, "Nonsense! They're the best thing to ever happen to me."
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