不要害怕，我們都一樣
在人的一生中會遇到許多困難，我們可以選擇抗爭，爭取應有的權利；也能選擇屈服，默默的承受；而有些人，會選擇用溫和、堅定的方式過自己想要的生活，即使自己遭遇許多挫折，仍然選擇為有相同境遇的人加油。
在台灣，有一位再平凡不過的DLD高中生－阿偉，在我們認為稀鬆平常的日子、成長的過程中，默默地接受許多的挑戰。
在他的日常中，最大的挑戰是說話的聲音、語速以及別人有沒有辦法聽懂他說的話，儘管如此，他和同學的相處多數是快樂的。如果有想要和朋友分享的事情，他則是抱持「想要趕快去學校跟他聊天」的想法。據筆者觀察，即便障礙為生活帶來許多不便，阿偉依然對生活抱持著堅毅不拔的態度。
國小–最純粹的惡作劇帶來最深刻的傷害
在阿偉國小的時候，會和同學聊天、打球，相處起來也算和樂，對於他有DLD的這件事情，他則表示會當作秘密和朋友分享。但由於他的性格害羞，所以會有同學故意欺負他，如阿偉曾表示「他們一直来吵我，然後亂用我的東西。」或者故意在電腦課時將他的電腦關機，阿偉說明當下的反應是「我就一直把他們的手移開，然後他們就一直故意用亂」，所以即使阿偉有制止同學，但依然沒有解決這樣的問題。所幸阿偉回家之後告訴他的父母才得以解決問題。
國中–苦難與感恩的並存
在國中剛開學時，阿偉正如同其他新生一般要融入班上的同學時，就有學生會嘲笑他的聲音，即便當時阿偉已經試圖制止同學，但這樣的情況一直沒有改善，一直到他受不了，才向家人以及師長尋求協助。這樣的情形才得以解決。
有了兩段不高興的回憶，阿偉表示「氣自己聲音變成這樣」還有「氣別人會一直聽不懂」。一直到現在都是如此，雖然阿偉說「就有時候想把它（不好的回憶）甩到一邊去。」，但如果出現別人又聽不懂的時候，即便會再一次重複他要表達的內容，還是會擔心當時的事情又重新上演。
值得高興的事情是，雖然有這麼大的困境，阿偉也在這個時期交到了要好的朋友，一直到高中時期都持續地保持聯絡。
高中–珍惜現在並展望未來
現在阿偉在自己的科系中努力的實踐，平時雖然給自己「高冷」的人設，也很少主動找同學聊天，但阿偉也表示「他們會主動來找我要不要玩。」可見在高中的社交生活中，阿偉並沒有遇到太大的問題。在需要進行小組活動時，阿偉也都可以得到公平的工作分配。
對於未來，除了學校有社福團體的協助進行職涯規畫之外，阿偉雖然也會擔心自己因為害羞而不敢主動與他人互動，但也努力地在自己的科系中學習，希望可以在之後一展長才。
家人所打造的避風港
在阿偉的人生中，他的家庭絕對占很重要的一部分。阿偉的家庭成員眾多，每個人都用各自的方式守護阿偉。有陪伴他玩遊戲的哥哥、時刻關心他的祖父母、支持著阿偉母親的爸爸，還有無論何時都給予阿偉支持的母親。
母親是最先觀察到阿偉情況的人，也主動帶著阿偉去做治療、早療課程，除課程之外，在家會和阿偉練習說話、固定出席阿偉的家長日、解決阿偉在學校遇到的所有問題。因此母親也成為阿偉在生活中最信任的人。
對於DLD，母親則表示「沒有從小去糾正他的發音去做治療，你就錯過那個黃金治療期。 所以這也是一件很可怕的事情」，呼籲家長不要在錯過最佳治療期，也因為母親有時刻關注阿偉並及早做治療，才能在之後的溝通方面更加地順利。
「不要害怕，我們都一樣」
在訪談的最後，我們了解到阿偉雖然內向、害羞，但一直是個善良與樂於助人的青少年。因為當筆者問起當如果遇到和他一樣的人時，他會怎麼做，他則說「會給他一點鼓勵」以及「說我們都一樣，不要害怕」。鼓勵其他DLD的人成為積極、主動的人。
我認為在阿偉因為DLD遭遇到許多挑戰的情況下，但仍然選擇善良、勇敢，是一件難能可貴的事情。也因為阿偉母親沒有忽視阿偉的狀況，及早帶他去做早療，才能讓阿偉在溝通上越來越順利。
希望這篇文章，能讓其他正在面臨DLD挑戰或正在認識DLD的人可以知道，這世界上有著一群這麼棒又這麼努力的人，用自己的力量使自己能夠被看見、為自己發聲。
In the course of a lifetime, we encounter many difficulties. We can choose to fight and struggle for our rights, or we can choose to submit and suffer in silence. Then there are those who choose to live the life they want in a gentle yet firm manner; even when faced with setbacks, they still choose to cheer on others who are in similar circumstances.
In Taiwan, there is an ordinary high school student with DLD named A-Wei. During the days that we take for granted and throughout his growth, he has silently accepted many challenges. In his daily life, his greatest challenges are the sound of his voice, the speed of his speech, and whether others can understand him. Despite this, his interactions with classmates are mostly happy. If he has something to share with friends, he simply holds onto the thought, “I want to get to school quickly and chat with them.” As the author has observed, even though his disability brings many inconveniences to his daily life, A-Wei maintains an unyielding attitude toward life.
Elementary School: The Purest Mischief Brings the Deepest Hurt
When A-Wei was in elementary school, he would chat and play ball with his classmates, and life was relatively harmonious. He treated his DLD as a secret to be shared only with friends. However, because of his shy nature, some classmates bullied him on purpose. A-Wei once recalled, “They would keep pestering me, and messing with my things,” or intentionally turn off his computer during computer class. A-Wei explained that his immediate reaction was to “just keep moving their hands away, but they would keep messing things up.” Even though A-Wei tried to stop them, the problem remained unresolved. Fortunately, the issue was only resolved after A-Wei went home and told his parents.
Junior High School: The Coexistence of Suffering and Gratitude
At the beginning of junior high, when A-Wei was trying to integrate into the class like any other freshman, some students mocked his voice. Even though A-Wei tried to confront them at the time, the situation did not improve until it became unbearable, forcing him to seek help from his family and teachers. Only then was the situation resolved. Having endured two unpleasant memories, A-Wei expressed, “I was angry that my voice became like this,” and “I was angry that people couldn’t understand me.” This remains true even now. Although A-Wei says, “Sometimes I want to cast those (bad memories) aside,” he worries that if others fail to understand him again, even if he repeats what he wants to express, the past might repeat itself. The bright side is that despite such significant obstacles, A-Wei made close friends during this period, and he has continued to stay in touch with them through high school.
High School: Cherishing the Present and Looking to the Future
Now, A-Wei is working hard in his field of study. Although he usually adopts a “cool and aloof” persona and rarely takes the initiative to chat with classmates, A-Wei notes, “They still come to ask me if I want to join them.” This shows that in his high school social life, A-Wei has not encountered significant problems. When group activities are required, A-Wei receives a fair distribution of work. Regarding his future, beyond the career planning assistance provided by social welfare groups at his school, A-Wei—though worried that his shyness might hold him back from interacting with others—is working hard in his studies, hoping to showcase his talents in the future.
The Safe Harbor Built by Family
In A-Wei’s life, his family plays an absolutely crucial role. A-Wei comes from a large family, and each member protects him in their own way: an older brother who plays games with him, grandparents who are always concerned about him, a father who supports his mother, and a mother who gives A-Wei support at all times.
His mother was the first to observe A-Wei’s condition and proactively took him to therapy and early intervention programs. Beyond these programs, she practiced speaking with him at home, attended every parent-teacher conference, and resolved every problem he encountered at school. As a result, his mother has become the person A-Wei trusts most in his life. Regarding DLD, his mother said, “If you don’t correct his pronunciation and seek therapy from an early age, you miss the golden window for treatment. That is a truly terrifying thing.” She urges parents not to miss the optimal time for treatment. Because his mother kept a constant watch on A-Wei and ensured early treatment, his communication has become much smoother.
“Do Not Be Afraid, We Are All the Same”
At the end of the interview, we learned that although A-Wei is introverted and shy, he has always been a kind and helpful teenager. When asked what he would do if he met someone like him, he said, “I would give them some encouragement,” and “Tell them that we are all the same, do not be afraid.” He encourages other people with DLD to be active and proactive.
I believe that even while encountering many challenges due to DLD, A-Wei’s choice to remain kind and brave is a rare and precious quality. It is also because his mother did not ignore his condition and brought him to early intervention that A-Wei has become increasingly fluent in his communication.
I hope this article lets others who are facing DLD challenges or learning about DLD know that there is a group of wonderful and hardworking people in this world, using their own strength to make themselves seen and to speak up for themselves.
Authors: JrYu Hu & Yuchun Chen.