On May 9th, the American Chinese Women’s Association will host the sixth annual “Outstanding Mothers and Respect for the Elderly Gala” at the New York Overseas Chinese Education Center. During a press conference held on April 19th, a disabled woman who was once diagnosed by doctors as being unable to speak or walk for the rest of her life amazed the audience by eloquently expressing in clear and standard Mandarin, “Mother’s Day is a special day. Every year, on Mother’s Day, the American Chinese Women’s Association treats our mothers to a feast and gives them red envelopes.”
This remarkable woman is Jingrong Bao, known as the “Taiwanese Helen Keller.” Born with severe cerebral palsy due to lack of oxygen during a difficult birth, doctors initially predicted that she would never talk or walk. However, Bao’s achievements have not only disproved the doctors’ prognosis but have also surpassed many expectations. She is fluent in basic language expression, has published three books and art albums, studied at the Queensborough Community College in New York City’s Art Department, excelling in oil painting and still life. Bao has also held a solo exhibition at the Huai En Art Gallery in Taipei’s Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in 2005, received the 22nd Outstanding Young Woman Award in Taiwan in 2013, and won the gold medal for best achievement in swimming at the New York Special Olympics in 2010.
At the press event, Bao expressed gratitude to the organizers in clear language, stating, “Thank you for preparing such wonderful gifts for us. They make our mothers happy and bring warmth to them. Their love warms our hearts, allowing us to showcase different talents. Their applause is our greatest encouragement. Our mothers are filled with joy on this day. I hope in the future more Chinese organizations can care for families with disabilities so that we no longer feel the weight of curious eyes but receive respect.” Her words brought admiration from all present, including parents of other disabled individuals.
Taking over her daughter’s speech, Bao’s mother, Ruoyu Zhu, said, “She has spoken our minds. When our children are young and unable to speak or walk, why is she speaking so clearly now? I feel it is because many societies give applause and provide a stage for disabled children.”
Reflecting on her daughter’s transformation, Zhu shared in an interview that despite the doctor’s devastating conclusion at the time, she refused to believe it. Recalling Helen Keller’s story, she applied similar methods, such as using touch to evoke sensations, which eventually led Bao to speak. Art therapy significantly improved her concentration and hand-eye coordination. Jingrong’s engagement in art, piano, and dance played a crucial role in her physical development, boosting her confidence and receiving applause for her artwork, providing her with immense encouragement.
From a young age, Bao received training in speech using reading aloud as a prominent method. Despite initial struggles with speech therapy in hospitals, the method of emphasizing strong intonation during recitations led to significant progress, allowing Bao to speak and improve her articulation steadily as she got older.
Zhu further introduced the specific practice of “reading aloud”: “By selecting a poem that resonated with her emotions, reading it slowly while incorporating feelings allows her to express those emotions. It is not as dry as the hospital’s training method of word by word. Choosing a short poem, reading it slowly so she can feel it deeply with expressions and actions, guiding her through recitation with intense intonation helps her speak clearly.”
Offering advice to parents with disabled children, Zhu highlighted three key points:
Firstly, early intervention is crucial for healing. Some parents assume that their children will naturally improve as they grow older, but proactive early intervention is necessary.
Secondly, it is essential to advocate for disability welfare services actively.
Lastly, parents should maintain an optimistic outlook, share experiences with others, and be open to learning from one another. Sharing stories and offering support can lead to mutual growth and understanding among families facing similar challenges.