Doing what I can do・・・・・
My way of living
Nobuko Matsumoto
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Congratulation, Yoyokaku, for the 10th anniversary of the web-site!
I am honored to be a writer for the new year issue.
First, I hesitated a little, but I cheered up myself to accept the offer
to write, because I have been doing whatever I can do, and this is my way
of living.
I was born in Karatsu in 1966, as the first child of my parents. I have
a sister and a brother.
I am born to be handicapped. My case is Osteogenesis Imperfecta, and at
that time, it was known as a difficult disease by unknown cause. Recently,
it is studied more and the cause is going to be identified, but I don't
know much about it.
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| Nobuko |
At my birth, the doctor said that this very small baby would not live long.
Because of my illness, my bones are easily broken, and I have never walked
on my legs in my life. I was always set in a cast in my childhood.
My house is near the sea, and in summer time, Mom, Auntie, my sister and
brother, my cousins, took me to the sea to swim. It was my greatest pleasure
to be in the Nature. I cannot swim, of course, but I can stay on the water
with the aid of a float, and being light in the water, I pretended to be
swimming with my arms splashing water.
When I was 5 years old, the city office advised my parents to put me in
an institution in Saga.
I had to go alone, and how terrifying it was to live away from
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| Nobuko's family |
my family. Only after a short time, I broke my bone again, and I was taken
back home. Since then I have always lived in my house.
When I was 6 years old, I found that I could not go to school like other
children. I learned how to read and write from my family, and spent most
of my time listening to music.
I was 8 years old, when the city office started to send me a retired school
teacher to teach me simple mother language and arithmetics. It was only
two hours in a week, but still I was so glad to receive EDUCATION!
After 4 years of studying with the visiting teacher, I was accepted by
a "Visiting Education System" of a newly founded school for the
handicapped in Imari City. I got in the 6th grade.
There I could experience many school events like Entrance Ceremony, Commencement,
Athletic Meeting, etc.
I could receive two or three lessons in a week at home by a visiting teacher.
I studied in this way until I finished my 3rd grade of Middle school, but
maybe I achieved only 1st or 2nd grader's
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| at Middle school with Mr. I. |
study even though I studied hard.
When I graduated from Middle school, my aunt suggested strongly to receive
a correspondence course education of a highschool in Saga. I hadn't studied
enough as a middle school student, then how could I become a highschool
student? I was afraid and felt uneasy. But I was supported by my middle
school 3rd grade's teacher, Mr. Hiroshi Inoue, who voluntarily tutored
me for a long time.
Correspondence course needs schooling twice a month, and it was so nice for me to go to school!
My parents, or my sister, took me to school.
School building was not easy for me, because there were many steps and
bumps, but friends helped me and pushed my wheelchair. On my way from school,
I even went for a bite, or to some place to play with my friends, and these
are all my treasured memories.
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| Highschool graduation day |
Thanks to Mr. Inoue, I could graduate from the highschool after 4 years.
I am so glad that I could go to that school.
After graduation, Mr. Inoue advised me to join a Sign Language circle.
After a while, I started to ride on an electric wheelchair. It was a late
start, but I at last began moving by myself.
In my circle, I was chosen to be a board member, and I could join the meetings
in other cities.
I even went on a journey as far as Miyazaki Prefecture. I met many people
through my circle activity, and Mrs. Okochi of Yoyokaku even made me speak
at a primary school.
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| challenged friends |
Two years ago, I started to work part time in the City Office to help communication.
I, a girl who always easily broke bones and could not go to school properly,
am now independent, thanks to many wonderful meetings with wonderful people.
I would like to express my deep gratitude to my family, teachers and friends
who always gave me warm hands to help.
From now on too, I will continue my challenge.
Thank you for reading my story.
I wish you a very happy 2010.
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