About Ming Ting
Interview conducted October 2020
Location: Philadelphia
Ming Ting is the proud mother of two boys. Dennis, 10, is on the autism spectrum; Lucas, 6, also requires special education. During COVID-19, Ming Ting learned to coexist with the pandemic and make the best of the situation. It reminds her that to Dennis, autism is a lifelong reality that he has to learn to "get along" with.
我的名字是陈明婷，我有两个儿子 大儿子Dennis 他10岁，是一个自闭症孩子 。Lucas 6岁 他也需要特殊教育 。在covid 我学习怎么跟covid 相处 ，covid 给我的感觉就像坐着过山车一样的 ，让我再次体会到自闭症对Dennis来说是一辈子的事 ，让我更好体会到“着怎么跟自闭症相处
Ming Ting's Story: English
INTERVIEWER
Describe a typical day in your life before COVID-Describe your day now. What has changed?
MING TING
Before COVID-19, days were centered on our two sons' schools, homework, doctor's appointments and various activities. My 4th grader Dennis is on the Autism spectrum, so we got him involved with music therapy, swimming and karate. On the weekends we went to church and Chinese school. Since the schools closed in March, we have been home everyday, with me trying to stay positive, being the teacher and caretaker, and containing my sons' excess energy. I sit with them during on-line instructions and struggle with the language and technical issues.
INTERVIEWER
Describe the challenges you are experiencing due to COVID-19.
MING TING
As much as I treasure the quality time I spend with my kids, it has been challenging to be their only resource, especially with Dennis, who used to receive special support and therapies at school. I also see some regressions in his social and communication skills. While going back to school will definitely benefit Dennis, I worry about sending my first grader, Lucas, to school without a vaccine. Lucas has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic autoimmune disease that puts him at greater risk of all infectious diseases
It's also been difficult navigating the on-line learning platforms and the great number of web-based communications from schools and service providers with my limited English. And adequate translation is not provided. I often feel helpless and anxious about not being able to advocate for my children when needed.
畅所欲言 / Ming Ting's Story: Mandarin
1.请描述在COVID-19 之前你典型的一天。描述你目前的一天.
在疫情之前，我们每天的时间都是围绕着两个孩子的学校，作业，看病，或是课外活动等等。我们四年级的兒子Dennis 有自闭症，所以我们送他去学游泳，空手道，和音乐治疗。周末我们全家去教会，孩子也去上中文学校。三月学校停学之后，我们基本上每天待在家里。我尽我所能的保持乐观的态度照顾孩子，做他们的老师，尽量用健康和平的方式帮助他消耗过度的精力。他们上网络学习时，我和他们一起适应这些新的学习方式。
2 因为COVID-19, 请描述你所经历的挑战。
我很珍惜这段时间，但是作为孩子们唯一的支柱与资源是非常吃力的，特别是Dennis。他过去在学校有得到特殊教育和各种治疗。在过去几𠆤月里，他的沟通能力和社交技能很明显的退步了。开学后如果能面对面学习对于他会是好的，但是在疫苖发明前去学校对於我的小兒子又有亟大的风险。Lucas今年上一年级，本来是多么开心的一件事！但是他有JRA，儿童类风湿关节炎，是一种慢性免疫系统疾病，使他对于被各种疾病传染的风险大大提高。此事让我的内心十分纠结。
The Chinatown Disability Advocacy Project (CDAP)
The Chinatown Disability Advocacy Project is a grassroots group of parents and community members who educate and advocate for inclusion in education, healthcare, and social life. We hold monthly workshops, education sessions and community activities, so people have information to best plan for themselves and their families. You can follow the Chinatown Disability Advocacy Project on Facebook to find out about our activities.
华阜残障倡导会是一个由家长与社区成员共同组成的团体。我们的使命是运用教学和拥护的方式，提倡在教育，医疗保健，和社交生活的社会融入。我们每个月提供讲座，教育培训，和社区活动，以期提供资源，帮助大家和家人更好的计划未来。请您在臉書上跟随Chinatown Disability Advocacy Project 来参与我们的活动。
About the Project
This project was made possible with generous support from the Independence Public Media Foundation.
For more information
Contact us at iod@temple.edu.