Our little fighter

When I first set my eyes on her, I know she is special. Every session, she will sit by the side quietly, watching the class and listening earnestly to what the coach is saying. Last week, I noticed she was doing chest pass with her teacher. That day, I know I am right. She is indeed a special girl.

Today, I finally plucked up my courage, walked over and said "Hi".

Our little fighter's name is Emma. She is wheelchair bound, don't really speak clearly, wears a pair of spec with thick lens and have relatively stiff fingers. But beyond all these physical disadvantages, I saw great determination and extraordinary courage in this little girl.

I am not sure what came over me but I said to Emma, "Today, I am going to teach you how to shoot. Are you ready?" She instantly straighten up, eyes brighten, smile at me sweetly and nod her head. I explained the movements involved to her, and she started executing the movements. She struggled to get into position but as we go along, I corrected her movements and constantly remind her the key points, she was ready to proceed with the ball. When she was finally holding the ball, her face beam with excitement to release the ball and when she did, the ball was going towards the wrong direction and we both had a good laugh before trying a few more times.

We took a short break and came back again to challenge the shortest goalpost (which is up to my eye level). After several attempts, none got it. I saw a dishearten look on Emma's face and I felt a pinch in my heart. I paused the activity immediately, thought for a while, took a hula hoop, place it at my chest level and told Emma,"Now, try this instead!". Seeing the significant decrease in height, Emma got motivated and she regained the determination and courage I saw earlier. The next thing I know, within seconds, the ball traveled from her hands into the hoop I was holding. The teacher nearby and I was cheering for her! I can still remember the look of her face, it is the same happiness every child gets knowing they have put the ball through the goalpost. But for Emma, I know it meant so much more... knowing that she can do something her classmates could too.

It didn't stop there. Wanting our little fighter to be involve in the decision making, I squat down and asked her: "You will get 1 point each time the ball goes through the hoop. How much points do you want to achieve?" Our little fighter answered: "10!" I stood up quietly, noticed that her eyes are still fixed on me, I replied: "okay... Let's do 10!" and she gave me her million dollar smile.

You probably guessed it... YES... our little fighter did put in 10 shots. On top of that, I set up an aiming activity for her where she have to knock down 3 cones that is placed 3 feet away from her wheelchair. She knocked all of them down. By the end of the session, she was smiling, perspiring and that tells me that she gave her 100% into the activities. Before she leave, I whispered this into her ear: "Well done Emma, you did it all by yourself. I'm so proud of you." and Emma whispered back to me: "Thank you Ms Goh."

Little Emma amazed her teachers and me with her extraordinary will power and fighting spirit beyond our imaginations. She is my inspiration. She is a blessing, a gift of God. She is full of grace.

~May the Lord keep her, bless her, protect her and lead her today and everyday. Amen.~

By the way, Emma is only a P2 kid.

If the Lord can bless a little girl with physical disadvantages, how much more will He bless one who is physically well? Question is, do you believe He is with you, for you and will never forsake you?