On 31st of May 2024, Students of Children and Adolescents with Special Needs (CASN) course, a course where students learn about types of disabilities/disorders experienced by children and adolescents, recently had the incredible opportunity to visit Wahana Keluarga Cerebral Palsy (WKCP), a remarkable community dedicated to supporting individuals with cerebral palsy and their families. This visit was not just a learning experience but one filled with understanding and empathy.
The visit to WKCP offered a chance for students to learn firsthand about the concepts they learn in class from family members of children with cerebral palsy and the inspiring members of WKCP who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy themselves. They shared their strategies for coping, the hurdles they face daily, and the unwavering love and dedication that fuels their journey. From this experience, students get to gain new insights and knowledge, as well as building new connections from the local community that aims to provide a safe space for individuals with cerebral palsy and their families.
When asked about a short reflection of the whole trip, Faye Naya Santoso, one of the students from IUP Psychology 2023, gave a long and heartfelt testimony: “I am very grateful for the amazing chance we had to visit WKCP. It was really heartwarming to get to listen to the stories of the family members of children with cerebral palsy, as well as the inspiring stories of the WKCP members who are diagnosed with cerebral palsy themselves, sharing about their journey of living with cerebral palsy and overcoming their hardships, as well as their amazing accomplishments! We were very inspired by their stories that proved that their disabilities do not hinder them from achieving things in life such as building a family or graduating top of the class with a master’s degree! Overall, it was a very enlightening and inspiring visit, from which we hope will provide us with meaningful knowledge and insight for our own journeys!”
Author: Nabila