[SideB] "I Want to Become a Special Education Teacher Who Eliminates Disability Prejudice and Empathizes with Students"

Dreaming of Becoming a Special Education Teacher Like the One Who Made Me Laugh
Want to Create a Society Where People with and without Disabilities Communicate Together

Park Dohyun, a student at Gangwon Myeongjin School (Photo by the individual)

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] "Simply put, it's about having fun. I thought, what if people with disabilities and those without disabilities engage in leisure activities together? We could go to karaoke or the movies together. We've never really stepped outside special education. I think forming human relationships by socializing with non-disabled friends would be a great learning experience. Wouldn't that help create a society where people with and without disabilities live together harmoniously?"

Park Dohyun (19), a high school student at Gangwon Myeongjin School, was born with a congenitally small optic nerve. Although his field of vision is wide, he has difficulty distinguishing objects at a distance. He struggles to recognize faces or find signs.

"It was when I was in 4th or 5th grade in elementary school. It was the first time I took an intercity bus home from school. I didn't carry a white cane because I didn't want to appear like a visually impaired person. But the bus didn't stop at the terminal and dropped me off across the street. Since it was night, I suddenly didn't know where I was and felt very scared. I was used to riding in my mom's car, so I wandered alone for a long time. I didn't even have the courage to ask people for help. At that moment, I felt an inferiority complex, thinking that other kids my age freely take city and intercity buses, but I was the only one falling behind."

Dohyun, who started attending Myeongjin School at age six, has been there for 12 years. As the student council president, he has participated in various activities inside and outside school. He engaged in after-school activities such as Taekwondo, tuba, and trumpet. Although he started as a hobby, he soon excelled and even competed in contests. He confidently participated but fell into a slump when he didn't win any awards.

"I think my body couldn't keep up. I even suffered a knee injury, and the stress piled up a lot. That led to symptoms of depression."

At that time, his parents' support was a great help. He said, "'This kind of thing is an opportunity given to you,' and the words 'others can't do this' really resonated with me," adding, "From then on, the fruits of my efforts began to emerge."

Mr. Dohyun practicing skiing. (Photo by Dohyun)

In 2017, Dohyun won 2nd place in the brass solo category in the music division at the Gangwon Province Middle and High School Comprehensive Practical Skills Competition. In 2019, he earned a bronze medal in the men's 4 km classic blind cross-country skiing event at the National Winter Sports Festival for the Disabled.

Although awareness of people with disabilities has improved significantly, gaps still exist. Dohyun does not carry a cane but always tells people, "I'm visually impaired, but I can see a little," whenever he goes somewhere. He shared, "Once, when I was sitting in a restaurant and couldn't see the menu, I asked if they served a certain dish, and I was scolded with 'The menu is right there. Can't you see it?' It felt like they thought it was obvious and wondered why I couldn't see it."

Mr. Dohyun conducting a 'Career Experience Day' class (Photo by Dohyun)

Dohyun's future aspiration is to become a special education teacher. His goal this year is to enter a special education department in college, and he wants to double major in social welfare. His desire to become a special education teacher was greatly influenced by his teachers. He said, "The teachers bring smiles. They seemed happy while teaching us with a lot of empathy," adding, "When they had sincere conversations with us, they looked admirable."

He dreams of a daily life where people with and without disabilities communicate without barriers. It is a vision of living together regardless of disability. While spatial integration might not be difficult, preparation for emotional integration will be necessary.

"Since we are confined within the framework of special schools, sometimes we vaguely think that others outside might be better than us at everything or earn more money. I want to let non-disabled people know more about how we live our lives."