Sharing 0700 – Family Interpreter, 13-year-old Min-gyu’s episode will be broadcast on EBS1TV at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, November 2.
13-year-old Mingyu is the family’s interpreter.
Min-gyu, who is 13 years old this year, is a good son who helps his parents and takes care of his younger siblings, and is a bright and cheerful friend who even serves as the vice president of the school. However, when Mingyu talks to his parents, his hands move busily instead of speaking. Min-gyu’s parents have congenital hearing impairment, so they have difficulty hearing and speaking, and communication with others is also difficult. When Mingyu was young, he learned to speak from his grandmother and sign language from his parents looking over their shoulders. Now, I am using handwriting and sign language to convey stories about the world to my parents. Not only his parents, but his four younger siblings also need Mingyu’s help. He washes and takes care of his younger siblings in the morning, and learns how to cook himself from the lower grades of elementary school, trying to be a source of strength to his struggling parents. Mom Eun-ju (36) is grateful and reassuring that Min-gyu is such a deep and affectionate person, but she cannot hide her feelings of regret for making her shoulder a heavy responsibility for her age.
Younger siblings in need of urgent treatment due to delayed language development
Recently, Min-gyu’s family has had a big problem. This is because the third child, Seohee (5), was diagnosed with hearing impairment. It is difficult for me to hear and talk with my mom and dad, so I wear a hearing aid, but I can only hear minimal sounds. In addition, the second child, Rahee (6), and the fourth child, Kangmin (3), also have language development that lags behind their peers. My parents are worried that Taemin, who is only 8 months old, will no longer be able to speak. Min-gyu, the only one in the family who can speak well, reads books to his younger siblings, who are lagging behind in language development, and constantly tries to communicate with them to help them hear more sounds. However, the younger siblings are unable to express their thoughts unless they receive consistent speech therapy. They say it can cause difficulties and make it difficult to adapt to society. The person who suffers the most in this situation is Minwoo, the father of the Oh siblings. He has difficulty communicating due to hearing impairment and also suffers from diabetes complications, making it difficult for him to find stable work. I try cleaning jobs to earn even a penny, but it is not enough to cover the living expenses of a family of seven, the overdue rent, and speech therapy costs of over 1 million won every month. Dad’s sighs are increasing.
Don’t let the responsibility Minkyu carries take away his dreams and hopes.
Please give us your love
Min-gyu, who grew up strong and strong, loved his family and helped his parents and took care of his younger siblings without anyone telling him. Mingyu is still at an age where he needs a lot of care, but I have been suppressing my difficult feelings only because of the sense of responsibility I have to protect my family. His parents, who are busy taking care of their four younger siblings amid the long hardships of life, cannot hide their regrets because they cannot provide enough care for Min-gyu… Min-gyu is relieving the heavy responsibility he carries on his shoulders by drawing pictures, and is being comforted. I love expressing my thoughts and feelings through paintings, and I have a dream of one day holding an exhibition of my own works. We ask for your interest and love so that Mingyu does not give up on his dreams and hopes for painting and that his younger siblings’ speech therapy expenses can also be covered.
EBS’ representative social contribution program that supports neighbors in need by collecting donations of 3,000 won per currency. . Episode 738 to be broadcast at 11:25 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024 The episode tells the story of 13-year-old Min-gyu, who serves as an ear for his hearing-impaired parents and takes care of his four younger siblings.
Photo EBS ‘Nanum0700’
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Interview Between Time.news Editor and Child Development Expert, Dr. Han
Time.news Editor (TE): Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Han. We’re here to discuss the touching story of 13-year-old Min-gyu, whose role as both a student and a family interpreter deeply impacts his family’s dynamic. What struck you most about Min-gyu’s story?
Dr. Han (DH): Thank you for having me. Min-gyu’s situation is incredibly poignant. It highlights not only the challenges faced by families with hearing impairments but also the immense responsibility placed on a child at such a young age. His ability to bridge communication gaps for his parents and siblings is admirable but also alarming, given that he’s only 13.
TE: Indeed! He has grown up quickly, taking on duties that typically belong to an adult. What are some of the psychological impacts this might have on Min-gyu and his siblings as they grow older?
DH: Min-gyu’s early onset of caregiving responsibilities could lead to feelings of stress and anxiety. This phenomenon, often referred to as “parentification,” can stifle a child’s emotional development and lead to resentment later in life. As for his younger siblings, the pressures of delayed language development combined with the familial expectations could result in social challenges and even learning difficulties in the future.
TE: And what can we say about the parents in this situation? It seems that this burden is also weighing heavily on them.
DH: That’s right. The parents, particularly Min-gyu’s mother, Eun-ju, display understandable feelings of guilt and helplessness. It’s vital to acknowledge that while they are dealing with their own hearing impairments, they are also facing the challenge of ensuring their children receive essential therapies. Support and resources for these parents are crucial, as they too need help navigating the complexities of their children’s needs.
TE: The article mentions Min-gyu’s difficulty in keeping up with his school responsibilities while balancing his familial roles. How can schools better support children like him?
DH: Schools must be proactive in offering emotional and academic support. Implementing flexible scheduling for children who might need to miss school or offering access to counseling services can significantly help. Additionally, training teachers to understand the dynamics of families with special needs can foster a more inclusive environment, allowing children like Min-gyu to thrive academically without compromising their home responsibilities.
TE: With the additional pressures families like Min-gyu’s are facing—such as financial strains and medical services—what suggestions do you have for the community to support such families?
DH: Community resources are essential. I suggest initiatives that focus on offering financial assistance for medical costs and providing free or low-cost speech therapy programs. Moreover, creating local support groups for families with similar challenges can foster a sense of community and shared understanding, which is incredibly beneficial for emotional well-being.
TE: Dr. Han, what message would you want to convey to readers about the importance of awareness regarding families like Min-gyu’s?
DH: Awareness is the first step towards action. It’s important to recognize that every family has unique challenges, and behind many cheerful faces like Min-gyu’s lies a complex web of struggles. Empathy and support can make a world of difference; whether that’s through advocacy for better resources, volunteering, or simply being a listening ear, every small action counts.
TE: Thank you, Dr. Han, for your insightful thoughts on this heartwarming yet challenging story. It’s vital that we carry these messages forward to foster understanding and support for families like the Oh family.
DH: Thank you for having me. It’s conversations like this that pave the way for change.