The world of Tzu Chi March-April 2022 (Vol.140)

2022 • 04 36 eople tears. At every gathering, she received hurtful comments and could only lick her wounds in private. She questioned, “Why do people treat children with different needs like aliens?” Being a tough person, she did not admit defeat easily. She began building a thick emotional wall, and would stare back when others had their eyeballs on her and Zoey. Like a hedgehog with quills, she kept others away and did her best to protect herself and her family. She promised herself, “So long as I treat my child as a normal kid, I will be able to raise her up well into a good person.” In order to assure Zoey that she was no different from other kids, she brought her up the way she brought up her eldest daughter. Every week, the family would go out. Once, when Zoey was about four, they hung out at a furniture store. Lian See dropped the two kids off at the store’s designated play area for kids, which was open to each child for a limited duration. When Lian See came back to pick Zoey up, she was faced with a challenge— Zoey refused to leave and ignored everyone no matter how much her mother or the staff around coaxed her. At her wit’s end, Lian See began pulling and even beating Zoey. Loud cries filled the room. Time came to a standstill. People stopped to look at them but no one could be of any help. Lian See broke into tears. Sobbing, she hugged Zoey tightly, “Child, one day, you will be able to understand Mum. You will be able to communicate with me. You will understand what I say.” She strongly believed that things would be better and that her daughter would get better. Looking back at the unbearable past, Lian See recounted, “I had been living in fear. When we went swimming and it started to rain, Zoey refused to leave. When I took her to the island, I lost her at the pier. When we attended gatherings, she took the elevator and slipped away. Thankfully, we found her safe and sound each time, but I was scared. I was terrified that she would get hurt or abducted. The psychological pressure was tremendous but there was nothing I could do. Fortunately, I met Tzu Chi.” Gratefully, I met Tzu Chi Lian See was introduced to Tzu Chi by Elsie Lee, a Tzu Chi volunteer who was her roommate at a training course. Whenever an opportunity arose, Elsie would tell her about Tzu Chi. Lian See laughed, “I had never heard of Tzu Chi then, and I was not interested at all!” It was not until Elsie asked her, “Do you want your child to become better? Do you want your child to be a good person?” that she was awakened and replied, “Yes, absolutely!” She then enrolled for the Tzu Chi’s Parent- child Bonding Class (PCBC). Initially, her husband, who is a Christian, resisted and was reluctant to participate. However, eventually, he went along with Lian See and accompanied their children to the session. On their first class, the family of four were flattered to see the volunteers standing in two rows, clapping and singing, welcoming the parents and kids. Lian See vaguely remembered that the session was about filial piety. She was so moved that she burst into tears. What surprised her was how friendly the volunteers were. They led the session enthusiastically and most of all, treated Zoey impartially. The volunteers even encouraged her to let her child interact freely, when they saw her