Speech-impaired student finally graduates from HS

KIDAPAWAN CITY—A 32-year-old man with a speech impairment found out here on March 28 that perseverance really pays.

After 17 years of on-and-off schooling, partly due to bullying by classmates for his difficulties in communicating due to an impaired speech, Guilbert Guitara was finally graduated from high school.

As he climbed up the stage to receive his diploma from officials of Kidapawan City National High School (KCNHS) here, the crowd chanted and clapped their hands.

There was no more indication of bullying or disrespect for the school’s oldest graduate among the 999 outgoing seniors but just admiration for him on his graduation day.

All Guitara could do was smile but even from afar, a sparkle could be seen in his eyes. It could be from tears of joy but no one seemed to have noticed as their eyes were glued to the stage to witness him receive the rolled paper, a symbol of a diploma, from school authorities.

First days

In an interview after the graduation rites, Guitara recalled his first days at KCNHS 17 years ago.

He said that at 15, he could still not communicate well and often stammered due to a speech motor disorder. But his exact condition has never been known due to his family’s lack of financial capability.

Dr. Leonisa Abasolo, a pediatrician at Madonna General Hospital here, said, Guitara’s health condition might have been caused by a tic problem.

She explained that the repetition of words and the facial expression of Guitara’s when speaking were indicative of tic symptoms.

Abasolo explained that a tic is a habitual spasmodic contraction of the muscles that  commonly affects the face.

But, she said, a visit to a neurologist could determine what Guitara’s exact problem is.

Guitara said that aside from a speech impairment, he also had difficulty moving around as one of his legs was shorter than the other.

This made him the object of ridicule and bullying by classmates, Guitara said.

His sad experience with classmates would drive him away from school but even then, he would return the next school year only to drop out again.

“They would call me abnormal,” he said.

Guitara said that when he finally learned to bear the pain of ridicule, he concentrated on his studies with the aim of finishing high school.

He ignored the taunts and learned to turn a deaf ear to labels such as “abnoy.”

Guitara said what also made his resolve to finish high school stronger was the encouragement his teachers had provided. They also became his “protectors” against school bullies.

For the past three years, teacher Lilibeth Canda guided him in his lessons.

Guitara said Canda and a few classmates made him study hard and perform well in class, which opened for him the chance to be promoted to fourth year.

The teacher said that when Guitara was first introduced to her, “I saw a potential in him if he was guided well.”

Canda, who was in tears during Guitara’s graduation day, recalled how her student tried so hard to thank her for the help.

She said that during the prom, Guitara picked her as his partner.

“Of course, I also shed tears. It’s good to note that your kindness was being recognized, especially by a person with disability like Guilbert,” she said.

Guidance

Canda said she only did what was expected of her and that was to provide guidance to the needy.

Guitara said that after high school, he would look for a job to finance his college education.

“If someone pities me, I can go to college,” he said.

What course does he have in mind?

Guitara said he wanted to become a chef and that he wished to enroll in a culinary arts course.