RSA Stories

Success Story: Joylynn

Arney Jonas, RSA, Aimina Talley, RSA, Florina Sigrah, RSA

Joylynn is the first child fully included in Malem Elementary School on Kosrae. She is eight years old, and has been followed by the RSAs since she was three years old. She has mild cerebral palsy. She is now walking, writing, reading, and doing grade level academic work. She can use the phone and can talk. Her peers help her cooperatively when she needs it.

Success Story: Jesse

Paul Tapang, RSA

Jesse is a five-year old boy living with his family on Shark Island in Yap. He has been deaf since birth. After Paul Tapang’s RSA training in Pohnpei, he began working with Jesse at home. Jesse’s parents were worried because he was hitting other children, not obeying his parents, and running away from his Head Start classroom. Paul worked hard with Jesse and his family, teaching them signs so that Jesse could learn to communicate his needs. After learning more than 30 signs, Jesse now stays in Head Start and enjoys school. He does not hit other children any more and he has friends. The teacher at Head Start and all of his classmates have learned the signs also. Now Paul’s problem is learning enough signs to keep up with Jesse’s needs. He needs a TV and VCR and a set of training tapes to help himself and Jesse’s family to learn to communicate more functionally using signs.

Success Story: DK

DK is a six-year old boy in Chuuk. His family are from the Mortlock Islands, but have moved to Weno so that DK can be near medical care. He has cerebral palsy, and has a very difficult time moving, but is very smart. The RSAs and his homebound teachers are planning to include DK in regular school this year. They will be focusing on his academic skills because he can learn just like other children. He will need a lot of support to be in the regular classroom, such as a special seat to help him be upright and see, help to write and hold learning materials, and perhaps a communication system. He is able to talk, but it takes him a long time. Some of the benefits to DK of being in the regular classroom will include the opportunity to have friends, the opportunity to learn the same things as his peers, the opportunity to learn about the world outside of his home and family, and the opportunity to try new things. His peers in school will learn that helping others can be very rewarding, see that people with disabilities have strengths and skills and can be smart, and will become more tolerant of others with disabilities in the community through getting to know DK.

Success Story: Taylor

Taylor is a five-year old boy living on Pohpnei. He participated in the RSA training program in 2000. The RSAs continue to follow Taylor by providing consultation to his teachers, but Taylor has outgrown his need for home-based services. He is now in Head Start! Taylor is now sitting without any support. His head has stopped growing. He is talking fluently. Good for you Taylor!