For a Maryknoll priest in Taiwan, mission echoes Jesus' blessing: 'Let the children come to me'

Many schools separate the developmentally delayed, the mentally and physically challenged and the students with special needs from the rest of the pupils. But Maryknoll Father Brendan O’Connell loves and teaches them all—children with disabilities as well as nondisabled students—at his inclusive Bethlehem Foundation Preschool in southern Taiwan. All are the apple of his eye, but the 69-year-old missioner from Brooklyn, N.Y., admits that his heart melts whenever he walks into a room and sees a child who is disabled. He insists he's not sentimental.

"The children don't need me to have a compassionate heart," he says. "They don't need charity. They need justice. They need education."

This need is as great today, he says, as it was 30 years ago, when O'Connell, with a newly acquired master's degree in special education, took over the administration of St. Raphael Opportunity Center, Taiwan’s first school for children with mental and physical disabilities.

"At that time the center had been opened for only 14 months and we had to go looking for handicapped children," he recalls. "Parents didn't want anyone else to know they had mentally retarded children, so they kept them home."

By word of mouth and a bit of good press, the center became known and "people started coming out of the woodwork from all over Taiwan looking for help," says O'Connell, who resisted requests to start up a residential facility for the children.  "That might have been convenient for the parents, but I didn't think it would benefit the children. What I wanted to do was to show that if parents loved and accepted their children at home, we would be there to help."

Over the past few decades, the stigma attached to mental retardation has lessened considerably in Taiwan, thanks in part to O'Connell's efforts. "I've seen a great deal of progress and changes in attitude," he says. "Parents are getting involved and forming associations. The government has begun to provide services, and the legislature passed a law recognizing the right of every school-age child, with or without disabilities, to public education." Grateful for the advances made on behalf of the children, O'Connell still has greater hopes. He wants them fully integrated into Taiwanese society. To that end in 1997, O'Connell founded the Bethlehem Foundation, an "inclusive educational" preschool for both disabled and nondisabled children. "It's kind of like a 'Head Start' program,” says the silver-haired missioner, who previously founded two other schools catering exclusively to children with special needs. "I want the children to feel comfortable and accepted by other students before they begin primary school." It was rough going at first, O'Connell says. "We placed the special-needs children, some with severe handicaps, with the regular children. It didn't work out and the teachers sort of revolted." So, O'Connell changed his all-inclusive preschool into a semi-inclusive one. "We formed two special education classes for the more severely handicapped, and two regular classes," he says. "Kids with minor disabilities are placed with the regular children. But all the children have snacks and lunch together. They also play and go on outings together." The foundation has 80 students—half with special needs—and 17 staff members. Children with autism, cerebral palsy and other disabilities play harmoniously with nondisabled children. "If there's any abuse or teasing going on, I haven't seen it," says O'Connell. "And if it happens, we wouldn't make a big thing out of it. We would explain that's not the way to behave."

Taiwan at a glance Population: Almost 23 million People: Native Taiwanese, 84 percent; mainland Chinese, 14 percent; aborigine, 2 percent. Religion: Mixture of Buddhist, Confucian and Taoist, 93 percent; Christian, 4.5 percent; other 2.5 percent. Language: Mandarin Chinese (official), Taiwanese, aboriginal dialects. Area: 13,892 square miles, slightly larger than the combined areas of Massachusetts and Connecticut. History: China took control of Taiwan in 1683. Following China's defeat in the Sino-Japanese War in 1895, Taiwan became the property of Japan but reverted to China after World War II. After the communist takeover of China in 1949, Chiang Kai-shek led 2 million Nationalists to Taiwan, establishing the Republic of China. In 2000 Taiwan transferred power from the Nationalist to the Democratic Progressive Party with the election of President Chen Shui-bian, who was re-elected in 2004. China vows to reunite with Taiwan and opposes movements for independence. Economy: Per capita income of $23,400 is one of the highest in Asia.

After sitting through an interview, O'Connell is anxious to review preparations for the upcoming graduation ceremony. All the children gather outside to rehearse the skits, songs and dances they will perform before proud parents. Everyone participates, even 4-year-old Ling-ling, who suffers from Rhett syndrome, a severe degenerative disease marked by compulsive hand wringing and general irritability. Unable to walk or even hold herself up, Ling-ling is strapped into a chair that's mounted on a wagon. It's a wedding carriage and she's the blushing bride. A red, gauzy veil covers her face, and for a brief moment—one would like to think—she forgets her sorrow as she's whisked away to meet her beloved, a 6-year-old boy with cerebral palsy named Dzwei.

After rehearsal, the children gather around O'Connell and giggle when the missioner—who's really just a big kid at heart—scrunches up his face and wiggles his nose.

O'Connell's love for children with special needs began at an early age. When he was 11, his sister Helen was born with Down syndrome.

"I remember hearing (on TV) the U.S. surgeon general asking a mother of a handicapped child what was the worst thing to ever happen to her.  The mother said, 'Having this handicapped child.' And then he asked, 'What was the best thing to ever happen to you?' She answered, 'Having this handicapped child.' Well, I'm sure my mother would have said the same thing. Helen was the best thing to ever happen to our family."

Given the many awards O'Connell has received in recognition of his work and dedication, one could argue that he is one of the best things to happen to children with special needs in Taiwan. Chances are, he'd be the first to say, "Nonsense! They're the best thing to ever happen to me."