Love @ Po Leung Kuk

高韻雯（KoKo）在9個月大的時候，因發燒而患上大腦麻痺症，自此嚴重影響其身體協調和語言能力，需要長期坐輪椅，但無損她對藝術的熱誠。Koko花了許多時間和毅力執起畫筆，透過畫作與世界連接，成立屬於自己的畫廊，更當上了香港展能藝術家。   KoKo自小已很喜歡拿各種顏料來玩，十多年前才正式跟隨老師學畫畫，從此就沉醉在繪畫世界。KoKo的畫畫過程，一點都不容易，因為她的肌肉張力異常，四肢間中出現不協調和痙攣，以致影響活動能力，於是她便從較易控制的塑膠彩學起。她每天用上許多時間和毅力握著手上的畫筆，開始在畫布上畫畫的日子，表達心裡面的情感和意念，讓她的「生命畫布」增添豐富的色彩。   保良局嚴重肢體傷殘人士綜合支援服務物理治療師左棟樑（Alex）分享，「其實畫畫的動作非常複雜，需要大小肌肉的協調，Koko的手指和手腕的關節僵硬，容易脫臼，需要持續接受物理治療，故我們會定期上門為她進行拉筋訓練，希望減少關節攣縮，維持其四肢活動能力，助她繼續拿起畫筆。」   即使Koko四肢嚴重攣縮，其身體的限制沒有阻礙Koko對藝術創作的渴求。「每一次訓練，KoKo都總是面帶微笑，即使有時身體狀況不佳，手部的肌肉和筋鍵特別繃緊，她都會樂觀地嘗試和練習，只因這是她與世界連接的重要媒介之一。記得剛認識Koko時，由於她難以用語言表達，所以每次訓練時只能作簡單交流或是透過照顧者了解她的感受，後來我就從她的畫作打開話匣子，從中也能了解她的內心世界和想法。」   KoKo喜歡創作各類型畫作，家中亦擺放了不少作品。在這十多年來的藝術創作路上，她成為了香港展能藝術家，更成立屬於自己的「思情畫意畫廊」，希望帶出「畫畫人及看畫人要用心思考畫」的意思。KoKo又將畫畫心路歷程和作品結集成書，藉此告訴大家，即使遇上任何問題也不用害怕，只要肯堅持，總有解決的辦法，正如書中所言：「一幅畫布，既是張白布，同時也是個有待發現、有待創造的新世界。畫布是她與世界溝通的重要媒介之一，也是記錄生活上喜怒哀樂的寒暑表。」

(Chinese Only)關於「生死」似遠又近，此刻我們可能健康快活，下一刻可能病患纏身，誰也無法預料將來會過得怎樣。「保良局華永會生命號」流動生命教育中心專車走入學校和社區，希望透過互動的形式，讓參與者認識不同人生階段的苦與樂，反思生命的價值和意義，學習以正面樂觀的思維面對人生的挑戰，做到感恩知足，活在當下。   與課堂式的生命教育課不同，「生命號」每次出隊總給人一種辦嘉年華會的感覺，大大小小的攤位各有主題。「幸福自拍照相館」讓參與者拿着打氣卡牌及道具，跟自己拍照留影，藉此學習欣賞自己、感謝自己；「老是這樣的一回事」體驗活動讓參加者戴上眼罩、耳罩，穿上負重背心，在看不清、聽不見、走不動的情況下完成一系列的任務，藉此體驗長者及殘疾人士在日常生活中的困難，學習體諒他們的需要。而「生命號」流動專車則化身成「生命靜思體驗館」，在車上播放生命教育短片，讓參與者反思與家人朋友的相處，傳達「愛要及時」的訊息。   每次出隊總會看見長者義工的身影，他們親力親為，協助中心職員營運攤位，與參加者訴說人生，引導他們反思人生。保良局華永會「生命號」計劃負責主任張銘森表示，「生命號」是一個助人助己的計劃，長者義工人生經驗豐富，是一本活的「故事書」，他們的經驗分享讓年輕人學習如何從容地面對生活的壓力與挑戰，同時讓長者在人生下半場發展新的興趣， 為晚年賦上新意義。   生命教育是一個漫長的過程，一次的巡迴或許未必可以讓人懂得活在當下，但就如張主任所言，「生命號」走入社區，為公眾提供空間討論生與死，拉近人與人之間的距離。或許這只是萍水相逢的相遇，但長者義工的分享、遊戲的體驗早已在參與者心中埋下了種子，讓他們邁向感恩知足的幸福人生。

For every mother, feeling her baby growing inside of her during the 10 months of pregnancy is one of life’s most incredible journeys. Ms. Yiu, soon to be the mother of Laam Laam, could not wait to welcome her little one and start their small family, Born prematurely at just 26 weeks, Laam Laam’s tiny organs were not yet ready for the world. He spent crucial months in the hospital fighting to survive and he requires round-the-clock care – a ventilator breathes for him at all times.   Laam Laam couldn’t run and jump like other kids in the past 6 years because he had to go to the hospital for various treatments. His ventilator must be monitored constantly. As such, Ms. Yiu had no choice but to leave her job to be Laam Laam’s full-time caregiver. While the financial, physical, and emotional demands soon became overwhelming, money grew tight as the income of Ms. Yiu’s husband alone could not cover Laam Laam’s expensive medical costs.   Professional team of Po Leung Kuk Chao King Lin Early Learning Centre is helping Laam Laam on his muscle training     Thankfully, she heard about the Po Leung Kuk Chao King Lin Early Learning Centre-Special Child Center. When the professionals of the center heard about Laam Laam’s circumstances, a dedicated team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists, childcare workers and social workers were fully geared up to provide holistic support for Laam Laam and his family. His performance on his speech, muscles and eating abilities were weaker than other children of his age at the beginning of training; however after 3 years of time at the center, Laam Laam made tremendous strides in developing his overall abilities.   Ms Yiu feels immensely grateful to Po Leung Kuk and the center for providing her family with comprehensive support She cherishes how their care gave her strength and courage to face each hurdle along this difficult journey. “Because if I did not hang in there with courage, who else could Laam Laam count on?” While uncertainty remains about the future of Yiu’s family, Po Leung Kuk will continue to support children with special needs and their families like Yiu’s family through the Kuk’s full backing in fostering children development and meeting their family needs.   With the assistance of Po Leung Kuk’s resources and generous contributions from donors, we are able to provide adequate and comprehensive training services for underprivileged children and families, safeguarding the children's growth and offering holistic support to families.