Decades ago, persons with disabilities (PWDs) were often called “disabled,” misinterpreted as the lack of ability to do something. Nowadays this ancient term is no longer acceptable since most PWDs have discovered their potentials despite being physically-challenged. Furthermore, the government continuously supports them through programs that can enhance their abilities to earn a living.
During the celebration of 34th National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, I was given the opportunity to meet three PWDs whose fortitude to face the challenges in life is worth admiring.
“Gusto kong makapagbigay ng inspirasyon sa mga kagaya kong may kapansanan na hindi imposible ang magtagumpay sa buhay,”– George Wilson
George Wilson is a 50-year-old polio victim and now a father of three-successful children—a licensed civil engineer, a computer science graduate working in Singapore and a Certified Public Accountant.
He is one of the few PWDs who invaded YOUTUBE for his story of triumph. A five-minute interview, on how he was able to feed his family and send all of them to college regardless of being locked up in wheelchair, inspires many people. Together with his wife he sells meat products around the village. His determination to survive paved the way for many costumers or “suki”. His resolve was seen by her three children, making them more aggressive in their studies. Now Manong George attended the celebrations of NDPR Week all over the region to tell his tale of success. “Ayokong maranasan ng aking anak ang hirap na aking pinagdadaanan kaya gusto ko siyang makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,”– Ramir Yabut
Though not as successful as the Wilson, Ramir Yabut, a victim of muscular dystrophy, operates his own vulcanizing shop in Barangay San Nicolas, Masantol. Mang Ramir did not finish even elementary but knew his skills and used it wisely. He has a 10-year-old son who suffers the same disability. Mang Ramir knows how hard it is for his son, so he hopes to send him to school and finish college to have a white-collar job.
“Habang may mata akong nakakakita at kamay na nagagamit kahit wala akong mga paa alam ko na meron akong magagawa upang hindi maging pabigat sa aking pamilya,” –Fatima
I sensed a proud and strong willed youth in the person of Fatima Santos when I talked to her. She has congenital amputation, missing her lower legs. This girl wants to be an asset rather than a liability to her family and community. She believes that education is the passes she can use to achieve this dream. She did not consider disability as a hindrance for her to be a consistent honor student from elementary to high school. Fatima did not feel ashamed of her condition. She is determined to finish college and enter government service to help PWDs like her. Manong George, Tata Wilson and Fatima are no “super PWDs.” They are ordinary people with disabilities who want to show the world that they can do something—that nobody needs to feel sorry for them.
No matter how proud they are, however, the government has the obligation to support and assist them to have equal opportunities with the rest of the community. Everyone has the responsibility to guide them to maximize their potential and not to discriminate nor demean them.
This is also the heart of Gov. Lilia Pineda’s speech before them during the celebration. She encouraged them not to exclude themselves because like ordinary people they may have weaknesses yet their strength is limitless if only realized.
“Meron man kayong kakulangan, mas marami ang inyong magagawa. Huwag lang kayong mawawalan ng pag-asa dahil narito ang provincial government upang suportahan kayo upang makapamuhay ng marangal,” Nanay Gob stressed.
Based on this year’s theme of the NDPR Week celebration “Mainstreaming Persons with Disabilities in Economic Development,” the governor strengthened the skills training and education of PWDs. She instructed the Provincial Manpower Training Center (PMTC) to design training modules according to the abilities of differently-abled persons.
According to Francis Maslog, officer-in-charge of PMTC, they have trained PWDs in welding fabrication. They will be grouped to form a cooperative who will handle manufacturing of wheelchairs, crutches and other assistive devices. “Sa kooperatiba nila tayo magpapagawa ng mga wheelchair at crutches na ipinamimigay ng gobyerno para magkaroon sila ng tiyak na pagbebentahan ng kanilang produkto,” he said. Some of them will undergo cosmetology, massage therapy and computer literacy trainings. Others will receive food carts to start a business. Since education is also a request from Mang Ramir and Fatima, the governor decided to support Fatima’s college education and, for Mang Ramir and the rest of PWDs, she will send a child of each family from elementary to high school. Moreover, they are the priority in the family health access cards of the provincial government. They will receive a gold card for a one hundred percent free hospitalization of the whole family in all provincial and district hospitals.
In Pampanga, PWDs are not pitied, they are supported. They are not taken for granted, they are assisted. Because the heart of a mother like Gov. Lilia Pineda is always ready to embrace and take them to the discovery of their hidden abilities and potentials.
(Jenna V. Lumbang, PIO – Pampanga)
