The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond XXX

Amro Khaled
Hussein Mohiuddin, Teacher
Al-Qirwan, Al-Sabeen, Sana’a, Yemen
I had a traffic accident four years ago in the village, which led to my head
injury. I was treated for a period of time, but I lost the ability to speak well
because of a problem with stuttering due to a nerve injury. I went back
to school to continue my studies after I recovered, and the wound in my
forehead healed. I was studying in the fifth grade, but I found it very difficult
to cope given my health situation. I could no longer speak like the rest of
the students, so I had a great fear of entering the classroom and sitting with
classmates in school. I was even afraid that the teacher would talk to me.
What scared me the most was when the teacher asked me a question and
the students in the class told him that I was mute. I was feeling pain and
heartbreak. The scores of my oral tests were very low, although I had good
knowledge. Sometimes I got a score of zero due to my inability to answer for
fear of other students mocking me. Days passed, and the teachers stopped
giving me oral exams. After that I kept silent in school for fear of being
ridiculed by others.
One day the social worker called me and talked to me about my health
condition. He told me that I should have more courage and get used to
myself. He made me notice that at home I could speak, although with a little
difficulty and stuttering. I asked myself “Why don’t I try to speak at school?”
I remembered the words of the social worker and I went to school with strong
determination. I began to speak and began to accept myself. At first I was
embarrassed, but with time I got used to my situation and started to raise my
hand in class to answer, despite the difficulty I had. I asked my teachers to
deal with me like the rest of the students and to cancel the decision to exempt
me from oral exams. I felt comfortable psychologically. I started playing and
talking with classmates, and the teachers agreed to treat me like any student.
I started talking with everyone. One day I asked the teacher if I could have a
role in the school morning radio. I spoke, and the students clapped for me.
I now feel very comfortable despite my difficulty speaking. I have accepted
my situation, and the students have become more kind to me.
The Courage of Children: Boston and Beyond
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