Thanh Xuan is a place for those who would normally be excluded from most areas of society and many opportunities. Disabled children and adults are placed together where the ridicule is reduced and people of many ages are placed in the same classrooms according to their adaptation and skill level. In this way there is a certain level of inclusion for everyone who can afford to send their kids to Thanh Xuan and have them be in a more comfortable environment than in the real world where discrimination and ridicule often affronts people with disabilities, seemingly especially in Vietnam. The surrounding walls hopefully provide some sort of solace and a more understanding and prepared environment for disabled learners than normal schools, which I believe is true of special learning schools globally.
This particular school, or village, also has its fair share of exclusion. The children and adult learners still act as normal school children do, so there is still some degree of bullying and teasing. There are a few children who are still smaller or more nervous than others who get picked on, but this is something I have seen in many different schools and at all ages. However, I have seen more people of different ages and abilities here place arms around each other or help each other down the stairs or direct each other than in any other school setting I’ve been in. Maybe its that these kids know each other’s pain more and want to somewhat relieve the frustration or just help their friends. Many of these kids live together so there must be a special bond that develops that causes a mutual desire for a better life. Of course, not all of these kids seem to want to make life easier (Det) but maybe that’s just to put a little life into a well-known routine.
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