Fr. Ray School for Blind Children
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Family History and General Information
Pam is 125 cm tall, weighs 23 kilos and came to us through a recommendation of the Chanthaburi Provincial Education Centre for Students Requiring Special Care. Pam’s blindness is further complicated by the fact that he has muscle problems with his legs. He is assigned to the Third Level Entry and is under observation to see if he is suitable for formal schooling.
Pam is 125 cm tall, weighs 23 kilos and came to us through a recommendation of the Chanthaburi Provincial Education Centre for Students Requiring Special Care. Pam’s blindness is further complicated by the fact that he has muscle problems with his legs. He is assigned to the Third Level Entry and is under observation to see if he is suitable for formal schooling.
June, 2004
Pam is now 31 kilograms in weight and 131 centimeters in height. He is being assigned to the third entry level – especially designed for those children who may not be able to enter formal schooling but may be trained to do vocational work instead. Pam also had some motor movement problems with his legs. His case is also included in the report to POT London. Although he is classified to be one of the students assigned to the 3rd entry level – special, Pam is somewhat slow but he is communicable. He is also capable of attending to his daily routine personal needs. His family continues to keep close contact with him as well as with the school. (NS)
September, 2005
Pam continues to remain in his 3rd entry level where he belongs together with his friends in the same age range and with the same mental capability. Pam’s weight remains pretty much the same as that of last year, however, he is growing and is now 142 centimeters in height as compared to 131 of last year. Pam is now receiving required medical attention for the deformity of his legs and the muscles in that area of his body. The treatment appears to be working as he has made some noticeably improvement. Although Pam can be involved in meaningful conversation, it is difficult for him due to his mental condition. Unfortunately it would be too difficult and too complicated for Pam to be involved in formal schooling at this time. Pam’s family continues to keep in close contact with him and with the School (NS)
April, 2006
The improvement in his leg muscle brings joy to his family as well as to his teacher. To help him further, Pam is being encouraged to take part in walk competitions. Pam also shows interest in becoming a goal-ball player. Both walking and goal-ball really help him to improve his leg muscles and to be able to walk better. Other than that Pam appears to be enjoying good health. He is now 47 kilograms in weight and 150 centimeters in height. He returned home to be with his family during the long summer holiday. (NS)
October, 2006
Pam continues to make some slight improvement in his leg muscle through being more involved in sports, especially in goal-ball. He is enjoying general good health. He is 49 kilograms in weight while his height remains the same. Pam also shows interest in singing. Being in the same group of students with the same age range with similar mental capability, Pam does light daily house chores. He is fortunate to have his family and his home to return to during the School’s long holiday. He is expected to return to resume his training when the next term starts in the early part of November of this year. (NS)
April, 2007
The School is off for the long year-end summer holiday scheduled to re-open once again in the middle part of this coming May. In the meantime, Pam is enjoying his quality time with his family. It is hoped that he will be able to remember what he has learned during the past year before returning home to be with his family. Upon his return to School, he will continue with his training in walking to help him developing his weak leg muscle. He will also continue on with the training he was receiving in attending to his daily self-care especially those relative to his personal hygienic needs. Before returning to his home, he was 49 kilograms in weight and 150 centimeters in height. With the exception of his leg muscle, he was strong and healthy. He was encouraged to participate in goal-ball, straight walking, as well as in singing. The School’s annual traditional sports day, February 8, was a grand event in which all students participated, Pam included, even those students with multiple sufferings in addition to being blind. The competing sports for all students included football, volleyball, goal ball, swimming, and other contests classified to be under track and field events. This year the school was honoured as the event was chaired by the head of the local authorities led by the Chonburi Provincial Vice-Governor, and attended by many foreign as well as local Thai dignitaries who are the School’s regular guests and sponsors. The grand event ended with the award presentation to all athletes and a fabulous luncheon was attended by all. In Honouring H.R.H. Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn’s Royal visit, on February 15th, the full band accoutrement of 24 girls and boys consisting of 7 pieces of our Thai classical music group, 7 pieces of our Ankhlong Thai woodwind music group, 7 pieces of our Thai classical musical percussion section, and 3 girl students performing Thai classical dancing, performed for the Princess. 10 of our girl and boy students took part in the presentation of many varieties of our manual handicraft work which is achieved under the close supervision and monitoring of 7 of our teachers. Samples of these handicraft productions were presented to Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, as souvenirs of her visit. There were 3 girl and boy students participating in a display of Braille reading, writing, and typing also under the close supervision of 3 teachers. The remaining students lined both sides of the walkway, waving flags welcoming Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to their School. A highlight of the visit was when Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn humbly and graciously sat to play the bass gamelan together with the blind Thai student classical musical players. The Grand Ceremony, after awarding a group of those local people who have rendered great service and support, and giving generous sponsorships to the School as well as to the blind students, ended with the Crown Princess honouring the School and its staff, by laying the foundation stone for a new 6 story building scheduled to be completed in 2 years, which will be devoted to Vocational Training for blind students. The School is scheduled to start the next school year in the middle part of May. Pam will remain in the same class undergoing vocational training and doing light house chores as before. (NS)
October, 2007
As anticipated, Pam remains in the same class, 3rd Entry Level – group 2, for another year. His weight and his height remains to be pretty much the same as those previously measured. He is strong and healthy. Pam is capable of attending to all of his daily routine personal needs. He does need help in his walking and is under regular training and practices daily with the help of a walking metal stick. Yet, Pam likes to participate in playing goal-ball along with his group of friends. This seems to be to his advantage as it helps to improve his physical strength and muscle movements. Pam returned home to be with his family during the school’s holidays. While at school he participates well in all of our School’s activities, which include: 26th June 2007 - The annual Wai Kroo is a traditional ceremony where the students pay respects to their teachers. The event starts with the presentation of floral decorations, each one designed and made by the students over many hours. Performances by the students in classical dancing and traditional songs entertained the teachers and the event closed with many students receiving awards for outstanding achievements during the school year. 12th August 2007 - The country celebrated the birthday of HM the Queen on August the 12th, which is also National Mothers Day. As a mark of respect to the Queen, several older students travelled to Somdej Hospital in nearby Sri-Racha to donate blood. The day came to an end with a candlelight ceremony, and the singing of the national anthem to honor HM the Queen. 16th August 2007 - On the fourth anniversary of the passing of the School’s founder, Fr. Ray Brennan, the teachers and students joined together with the students and children of his other projects at a Memorial Mass. To remember the man who gave them a chance of an education they lit candles and laid flowers on his grave. Khun Aurora, Principal of the School, gave a short speech to the congregation praising the good deeds that Fr. Ray did for the blind of Thailand. (NS)
May, 2008
For his own benefit, it seems appropriate to keep Pam in the same class for yet another year. Although he seems to enjoy his good health, his problem with his walking persists. One of his legs limps and he needs the walking aid to help him in his movement. His academic study is also a bit slow. Trainings require repetitions. Pam can no longer be involved in sports as much as he used to and yet he continues to enjoy the company of his friends. He loves singing. Pam is very well liked by everyone, as he is always courteous and friendly. He returned home to be with his family during the long holiday. While at school he made every attempt to participate in all of our school’s activities, which included: 5th December – H.M. the King’s Birthday and National Father’s Day. The celebration took place in the morning of the 4th of December consisting of poem reading, singing and praising and pledging to do good deeds in honor of His Royal Majesty. The activities for the day ended with musical pieces being rendered by the School’s band. The celebration continued the following morning, the 5th of December, when students and teachers joined forces and met with the general public of Banglamung District. The idea was for the students, teachers and public to meet at the Somdej Hospital in Sriracha District to donate their blood. Students ranging in age from 17 years of age and upward and weighing at the minimum, 45 kilograms were allowed to donate. Then came the high light of the day when all students and teachers lit candles in honor of H.M. the King. 7th December - Miss Caulfield’s Memorial Day. Miss Genevive Caulfield, an American Lady, is highly regarded and respected as giving birth to the idea of giving education to the blind people in Thailand. The Memorial ceremony was held in the morning of the 7th of December. Christmas - It was another fun and games day for everyone. The principal of the School told the students about Christmas and it ended up with much praising and wishing well to one another. The students then enjoyed games and raffles and the activity ended with a special luncheon served for everyone. 12th of January 2008 - the 2nd Saturday of the Year – The Country’s Annual National Children’s Day. The day started quite early, before sunrise actually, with people gathering around the football field at our Children’s Home for the annual group picture taking. This consisted of all residents and personnel from all projects, followed by a hearty breakfast. The day consisted of a most fun-filled day for residents, personnel, and guests with sports, shows, exhibitions, etc. being the main part of the day. Food and beverages were available to all throughout the day. The event continued on until late in the evening with everyone having a great time but being completely exhausted! 15th January - School’s Anniversary. The cerebration started with a blessing and prayers and chanting of the Buddhist priests who had come from the nearby Thai Buddhist temple. A delightful lunch was held for the Monks and the attendees and finally ended with fun and games for all. School’s annual sport day - For this year the school’s sport days started on the 9th through the 15th of February. The opening ceremony was honored by the top government official of Nong Prue Sub-District while the closing on the last day was honored by the present Mayor of Pattaya City who was then one of the City Counsellor. The last day was a grand event attended by many prominent school’s visitors and supporters, both indigenous as well as foreign. March is usually a month filled with excitement for all students in their eagerness in preparation for the year-end final examination. This is also the time for students’ to be evaluated as well. Some may deem appropriate to remain in the same class while some may be rewarded for their intelligence and hard-work by advancing to the next higher grade. It is customary practice for the blind students to participate actively in the annual blood donation at Somdej Hospital in Sriracha District. Those students whose age exceeds 18 years carrying their own weight in excess of 48 kilograms may be legible for the blood donation. This March 2008, 10 of our blind students vigorously joined the event with pride. Songkran Day – Thai Traditional New Year Day or Water Festival. It is a big official holiday from the 13th through the 15th of April of each year, as it is observed as the traditional Thai New Year Day. The observation was abolished in the year B.E. 2482 (1939) by the then government cabinet and to observe the 1st of January as the New Year Day. Songkran Day is also well known as the country’s “Water Festival”. The actual ceremony is to bless one another by pouring fragrant or scented water on to the open palm of the receiver’s hands. It developed into splashing water in great quantities onto one another and was instigated by the younger generation. This became a favorite function, as during that time of the year, the surrounding atmosphere of the country is very hot as it is in the middle of the Country’s hot season. On the 19th of April of each year – It is observed as the traditional Songkran Day for Pattaya City. This year a big group of blind students under the leadership of the teachers and school’s personnel came to the Father Ray Foundation locating in the Pattaya Redemptorist Center to give blessings to Father Lawrence Patin, Father Worawut Saraphan, Father Apisit Kritsaralam, Brother Denis Gervais, and other prominent senior employees. The grand ceremony was held on the main ground in front of our CP department. (NS)
December, 2008
Pam continues to do fairly well in his training while remaining in the same 3rd Entry level. With the exception of his weakness in his leg, Pam appears to be otherwise healthy. Fortunately, Pam is able to attend to some of his daily routine personal needs with help from his teacher and others. Pam gets along with everyone. He returned home to be with his family during the School’s long holiday. While at school, he participates well in all of the school’s activities under his teacher’s strict guidance. (NS)
June, 2009
For his own benefit, it has been deemed appropriate to retain Pam in the same class, 3rd Entry Level – group 3, for yet another year. In the meantime, Pam enjoys good health, weighs 60 kilograms and is 160 centimetres tall. Pam continues to do well attending to his daily personal routine needs, inclusive of those relative to his personal hygienic requirements. To help Pam with his mobility problems, he was sent to see the specialist at Sirikit Hospital which is close to our Royal Naval Base in Sattahip. It is a well known fact that medication and treatment in Pam’s case takes time. Pam likes to sing while, at the same time, he enjoys the company of his friends with whom he likes to play goal-bal, whenever they have free time after classes. Pam participates despite the fact he has a limp. Pam can memorize and recite the Thai alphabet. He is fortunate to have a good family to whom he returns to enjoy their company during the school’s long holiday. (NS)
January, 2010
It appears that the big obstacle for Pam is his difficulty in mobility. With his heavy weight, it is even causing even more problems to him. Nevertheless, Pam tries to improve his overall mobility through sports as he is now active in playing goal-ball with the school’s team. Pam likes singing and he has a good voice. He also has an exceptional and amazingly good memory, which is of benefit to him as it can be put into good use in his academic study. This is what his teacher is aiming for. In the meantime, more emphasis is being put into his training in walking and the use of a walking cane. His teacher is trying to put him on a diet with the hope that when he is lighter he may be able to move around better. Pam returned home to be with his family during the school’s holiday. While at school he participates in all of our school’s activities. (NS)
July, 2010
We have done everything we can for Pam. He has been with the school for seven years. In fact, he is considered to be one of the long time students. Pam also has reached the required point in his life where it is deemed appropriate to keep him with the family as they may be able to help him more than we possibly can. His records have been removed from our active files accordingly. (NS)
