Born Towards the Sun

"Looking at the children realizing their dreams on different platforms, our cultural and creative incubation base is also at the forefront, even attracting special education schools from Hong Kong to come and visit. This job is of great significance, and the sense of accomplishment is always with me."

One of the students (on the left), Mr. Su (on the right)

In January 2021, in the Urban Living Room on Wuyi Road, the Special Youth Cultural and Creative Incubation Base was officially established. Public welfare organizations such as Shangfu, Yanwujie, Wanhe Farm, and East China Normal University all lent their support. From the mouse pad with hydrangea patterns to the A4 document bags, the children's calligraphy and painting works have all been transformed into exquisite derivative products. What's more surprising is that the meticulous brushwork paintings and calligraphy works of a child with autism were auctioned off by Yang Lan for 150,000 yuan at the Special Olympics Charity Dinner, contributing to the charity cause. In fact, all these achievements are inseparable from this lady named Cui.

Sitting in the classroom filled with students' cultural, creative works, Ms. Cui, with a gentle and firm glimmer in her eyes, shared her deep connection with special education in a soft and engaging voice.

When we first met Ms. Cui, she was dressed in a simple beige knitted sweater. Her short hair, reaching the ears, made her look capable and amiable. A warm smile always lingered on her lips, making people involuntarily want to get close to her.

This time, the special education school where Ms. Cui works has jointly hosted an event in collaboration with Zhongshan Park.

"We are jointly hosting this event with Zhongshan Park. In addition to the garden tour activity, our Special Youth Cultural and Creative Incubation Base is also involved. Our base is located in a special education school in the Huayang area of Wuyi Road," Ms. Cui introduced while pointing at the students' paintings on the wall.

"The students in the school mainly fall into three categories: autism, intellectual disability, and cerebral palsy. Here, vocational and technical education courses such as cooking, pastry making, horticulture, and housekeeping services are paving the way for the children to become self-reliant and integrate into social life in the future."

When we started to talk about the Special Youth Cultural and Creative Incubation Base, a look of pride spread across Ms. Cui's face.

"The Special Youth Cultural and Creative Incubation Base has produced a large number of cultural and creative products based on the children's paintings. For example, there are handicraft works made of twisty sticks, as well as intangible cultural heritage course works like Chinese frog buttons and sachet bags. Even the logo of the base, 'Love Waves, Dreams Come True,' is the work of the children."

Then she proudly introduced the co-branded "Born Towards the Sun" series in cooperation with the Shanghai Garment Group. This series embodies the earnest expectations of Ms. Cui and her colleagues for the children: "The 'Born Towards the Sun' series of products implies the hope that the children will grow up happily facing the sun."

The zodiac-themed bags are updated every year. The canvas bags that embody the creativity of six children with autism have been launched in three generations. The solar terms series skillfully combines food and flowers.

When asked why she dedicated herself to the special education cause, Ms. Cui sank into memories: "In 1999, I applied for the Special Education major at East China Normal University. At that time, I didn't really know what this major was about. But after studying it, I thought I should apply what I had learned. There were 20 classmates in my class, and only 4 were from Shanghai. I was the only one who stayed in Shanghai and engaged in front-line special education work after graduating from undergraduate studies."

Gently caressing the sachet made by the students, she said, "The children are lovely and kind-hearted, and the parents also desperately need our help and guidance. I hope to accompany them to 'live a life towards the sun'."

On the path of special education, Ms. Cui is not just a teacher; she is a modern-day alchemist, turning the raw materials of challenge and difference into golden threads of hope. With her love and professionalism, she built a strong and bright bridge towards the dreams of her students. Each step she takes, each lesson she imparts, is like a brushstroke on the canvas of their lives, creating a masterpiece of possibility.