Yi's Voice

It's very inspiring to see through Greta Thunberg's example that young people can make a global impact. It's not about how old you are. It's about how you act, how you motivate others, and how you influence leaders to support your goals. I am inspired to say my dreams out loud!

Years ago, I was not able to communicate. I often messed up and upset my parents. Sometimes they would accuse me for things I was not responsible for, which made me very sad. I couldn't explain myself, nor could I tell them what actually happened. It's so sad. But what options did I have but to say sorry and hope they move on? It's so unfair! I am so happy that now I can communicate and let them know what happened. I no longer need to suck it up.

Jellyfish,           never cease to dance.  Jellyfish,           what a beautiful sight to watch.  Jellyfish,           I love to come and dance with you.  Jellyfish,            I could aim and achieve my dream.

Q: What do you think a hero is?  A: I think a hero is someone who fights against all odds to help others.  Q: Do you think you are a hero? Why or why not?  A: Yes. I am a hero because I work very hard to improve my ability to express myself and show people my intelligence to challenge the norm and perception people have about special needs students. 

Saddle, meadow, yellow, hay, Joyous children play!

ELA homework: Think of someone in your life who believes in you. Write about how their support has helped you. My mom really believes in me and helps me find my voice. It's really hard for me to communicate due to my disabilities. She makes it possible for me to express myself. It makes my education possible. I will be living a beautiful and meaningful life.

[Reflection after watching the Communication as a Human Right panel with 4 non-speaking students and Professor Jaswal at Stanford Neurodiversity Summit ]  I almost cried when they said no one understood who they were. I was the same, trapped inside the stupid body. I am so inspired to be like them. I want to be on stages like that. I want people to see and understand who I am.

ELA homework: Write about a time you were misunderstood. How did you feel? How did you handle it?  I was called retarded when I was six years old. He was an old man at the farmers market. I was making noises behind him. I was so furious! It's very rude of him. I didn't say anything. I couldn't talk. But I have a voice now. They are stupid and rude. I could care less about them!   

ELA homework: How can we deal with adversity? Adversity is what makes us strong. You can try your best to stay calm, and do your best to stay focused on what matters the most to help you move on. It is very difficult, but it can be done. You can’t give up!

I was not able to travel when I was younger. I was screaming non stop when I was two years old flying back from Hawaii. We stopped flying for four years afterwards.  We tried again when I was six years old. I was better prepared this time. I was able to stay calm during the flight back home because I mentally prepared for the flight before the trip. I told myself that I wanted to fly and travel and I should focus on the amazing stuff. This made it possible for my parents to travel with me.

I am beyond joy to know that someone will want to be friends with me. I can’t believe it is happening. I am so so happy. Nothing brings me more joy than this.

I am so excited about the music teacher. I always love music. I think I will be a good musician. I can perform well on stage in public. I can compose music.

I am so so happy today because it is the first time the students got to know me a little bit. It is so incredible to see that many kids actually care about me. They were very nice and they actually took the effort to include my feelings into their ideas. I was so touched and was speechless. It makes me feel like I finally belong.  I love you mom for all the hard work. I am feeling beautiful and powerful and it is fantastic to be alive. I will be ok from now on. 

[How did you manage to watch Hamilton for one hour in London at the theatre, which was not a show for people with special needs?] I prepared myself by putting the headphone over my ears when I was watching Hamilton in London. Inability to regulate myself is very frustrating to me. It drives me mad. I am capable of controlling myself. I want to improve my ability to self regulate.  I also remind myself to breath and to stay calm. I did this before, during and after the show. I also closed my eyes from time to time to give myself visual breaks. It helped me to relax.  I think it’s critical to have you sit next to me to help me stay calm. I couldn’t do this without your presence.

Mom: If you have two minutes at the IEP meeting tomorrow, what would you tell the IEP team? Yi: I want you to know that I am capable of learning. But I need support to stay calm. To do that, I need people to not stare at me when I am stressed out and act out. I need people to give me the time and space to calm down. I need your kindness and patience. I need to know that you care about me. I need to not feel like an intruder. All that I need is the ability to stay calm. I can thrive with your help! I love my aide Alexa. But she needs support. She needs more training to help me communicate. For example, I was not able to do math the best way because she asked me the wrong way for the LCM problem. It is hard for me to correct her with spelling on letterboard.

Yi: When were you born and where? G: 1945, in a little town, Puning. It's in Guangdong province in China. Yi: What is your favorite food?  G: Too many... I like steaks, baked fish, asparagus, apples and bananas.  Yi: What was your childhood like?  G: I was born in poverty. I was able to go to school for only six and a half years. I had to work in the farm since I was fifteen years old to support my family. We cooked with dry grass and sticks. As a teenager, I had to go to the mountains to collect dry grass and sticks for my family. I didn't have any toys, except for one that I made for myself with wires. It was a circle and a stick. I used the stick to make the circle wire roll forward. I played a game with friends. We drew grids on the ground and jumped between the grids. We could not afford having rice everyday. Instead we cooked congee. Meats and fish were available only for holidays. Having meats and fish daily was simply impossible back then.  Yi: It sounded rea...

[ Lang was trying to launch the Keyboard app but ran into an issue. He got frustrated. Yi and mom were there and saw Lang with almost teary eyes. Without prompting, Yi pointed to the iPad] Dear Lang, don't be upset. I really need your keyboard app. It is very important for me to be independent.  Q: What are you proud of today? A: I am proud of being able to write creatively verbally with you today. I am also proud of being able to spell without any prompts. It is very amazing! I love it. Amazing!  Q: Do you know what made it possible? A: It is possible because I was calm and confident. That's all that it takes.  Q: What can we do or what can you do to stay calm and confident?  A: I think it takes a lot for me to stay calm. I need to keep reminding myself that I am capable. I think I need to practice doing that more. I just need to believe in myself. I need to accept that I am good enough! I need to love myself more. I have to! I have to! I have to! Q: If I want to ma...

Dear Mr. H, I was at O** for the last two years and it was hard for me to be back to the P** because I was placed in the special ed room for the most part before O**. I was considered as someone with cognitive disability at the elementary schools in P**.  I want to prove myself and learn with the others at the gen ed rooms and make friends. I am great at reading and math especially when I am supported by someone who knows how to assist my communication and may help my anxiety and is patient with me at the school site. I am excited and at the same time very anxious.  I need you to be supportive and respect my intelligence even if my body betrays me because I have significant anxiety.  Thank you! -- Yi

I went to china for two and a half weeks. i went to popular places such as the great wall, the forbidden city, the summer palace, and gardens in suzhou. i had such a wonderful time. i am really amazed by the beauty of the places. i was amazed by how many people there are no matter where we went. i am so proud of myself for being able to be calm for the most part. it was very hot and crowded, and the lines were long and stinky from people around us. i am really proud for being able to appreciate the beautiful places without making a mess.