Paving the Way Through Training: Creating a Stage of Challenge for Special Education Students

Since late 2023, the Special Education Resource Center of Cheng Shiu University (CSU) has launched a seven-month training program to form its first dragon boat team, preparing to compete in the Kaohsiung Dragon Boat Festival & Championship. The program integrated physical conditioning, skill development, and teamwork coordination, while arranging four on-water practices at Lotus Pond, where students honed their endurance and refined their paddling techniques in real conditions.

The participating athletes came from different colleges and departments, starting from scratch to learn paddling, rhythm control, and posture adjustment. Through repeated practice, they built rapport and fostered a moving spirit of solidarity and mutual support.

Debut Success: Third Place in Their First Competition

On race day, CSU’s Special Education Dragon Boat Team faced strong opponents in the preliminaries, yet advanced to the semifinals by securing second place in their group. They then topped their group in the semifinals and ultimately claimed third place in the “Small Folk Dragon Boat Self-Strengthening Division” in the finals.

This achievement was more than just a sports victory—it was a journey of confidence rebuilding and self-realization. Every stroke symbolized the students’ challenge to their own limits, and every distance covered marked their resilience in overcoming obstacles.

Inclusive Education: A Platform for Every Student to Dream

President Jui-Chang Kung emphasized that the competition not only showcased the students’ perseverance and determination but also embodied CSU’s educational philosophy—personalized teaching and holistic care. With the strong support of the university and the Special Education Resource Center, students gained more than physical strength: they learned communication, cooperation, persistence, and trust through teamwork.

The Special Education Resource Center has also pledged to continue expanding diverse activity platforms, enabling every student to discover their own path of learning and achievement, and to draw confidence and motivation from education.

Student Voices: Every Stroke Is a Commitment to the Future

Mr. Tsai, a student from the Department of Information Management, shared his journey: born with a physical disability, he initially doubted whether he could participate. Yet, with the encouragement of teammates and coaches, each training session helped him find rhythm and confidence. “Every paddle stroke is a breakthrough for me,” he said. “It proves that with determination, we can change our destiny.”

This heartfelt testimony strengthens CSU’s resolve to keep building a friendlier and richer developmental environment for students with special needs, ensuring that every learner can shine in their own way.