December 17, 2005, 10:22pm

Went to Tacachale with the people from the New Hope Church this afternoon. Tacachale is a village for people with disabilities. We went to give Christmas gifts and sing the Christmas carols.

We went to see a group of men with mental disabilities. I don't know how people are classified but they seem to have quite severe problems.

I first volunteered to give services for people with mental problems when I was 16. Really a long time ago. It's a sports day for children with mental problems. I was leading the children to their destinated places for their sports activity: long jump, tracks etc.

Perhaps the kids were not as severe as these guys I met today. I remember I was very impressed by a boy doing really well in high jump. I'm never good at sports and right now, I'm physically challenged because of my knees. It's really bad today in the cold. And the storm looks like it's never going to end. And my front door is dripping.

The village house smells of urine. One guy has to wear a helmet. He continuously hits his own head with his hand. Well, the helmet protects his head but it may hurt his hand.

I read some neuroscience papers about how brain imaging tells us about development. I think there're always something that cannot be studied, I guess. They may be able to make a child with autism lie still for minutes. Just cannot think of how they can make these severely disabled guys stand still for a few seconds.

Well, research may never help them anyways.

BTW, my neighbor is going home. So, I will take care of her fish and a plant. :)