Special Education Gifted Students Visit GEC

Operated by the Rare Disease Welfare Center (RDWC), the Gene Education Center (GEC) is open year-round to students of all ages. Through up-to-date medical knowledge and personal stories shared by patients, the GEC promotes greater public understanding and encourages a culture of empathy and respect for individual differences. On May 14, the RDWC welcomed a special education class from a junior high school in Taipei City—its first school group this year from outside the Taoyuan- Hsinchu-Miaoli region. During the visit, students and their parents took part in a gardening workshop led by a Rare Disease Professional. They eagerly painted ceramic plates and made small moss balls—activities thoughtfully designed to be inclusive for those with limited motor coordination, allowing both children and parents to enjoy the therapeutic joy of gardening.

Jiang Tong, an ALD patient and a new member of the RDWC Life Lecturers team, served as an interpreter during the event. Although he uses a wheelchair due to his condition, Jiang is a passionate traveler. He often rides his custom motorcycle around Taiwan, capturing breathtaking photos of the island’s landscapes. During the visit, he shared his photography portfolio with the students, who were deeply moved by the beauty and emotion in his work.

On May 22, the RDWC welcomed another group of bright young students from a local elementary school, with Jiang Tong once again serving as their guide. What made this visit special was the students’ curiosity about why “Uncle Jiang Tong” was different from them. Their honest questions led to a lively discussion and a fun, engaging Q&A session. At the Gene Education Center (GEC), the children explored wall-mounted exhibits introducing various rare diseases. These displays helped them better understand rare conditions, replacing their initial fear with curiosity, empathy, and respect.

Through these two recent school visits, it’s clear that the RDWC is steadily expanding the impact of its Gene Education Center (GEC). The initiative aims to raise public awareness of rare diseases while fostering greater understanding and empathy among both children and adults. The RDWC warmly encourages schools and organizations to get in touch and join us on this meaningful, day-long learning journey.

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)