The will comes from the disabled person, his family and his trainers. The opportunity comes from society and prospective employers. On the eve of our 54th Merdeka Day celebration let us be mindful that even the disabled people in our midst long for independence as well, and to have it with dignity, not sympathy. At PBSNS we aim to provide both and hopefully to also set up a similar advocacy group for our clients to spur them forward.
Showing posts with label berdikari. Show all posts
Showing posts with label berdikari. Show all posts
Monday, August 29, 2011
Independence and Dignity
Please read this interesting article about how a learning disabled person, Johari Jamali, of United Voice, managed to climb the slope of slow learning and negative public perception to head the first self advocacy group to prove a point: that it is not impossible to cross into the realm of normal living if there is both a will and an opportunity.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Internalizing Our Vision
Happy Chinese New Year to those of you who are celebrating. I hope the symbol of the ox represents strength, wellness, perseverance and, especially pertinent this current year, ability to endure hardship. Believe it or not, hardship is part and parcel of our very existence. It is folly for anyone to wish for a good life every day of our lives. Rather it is wisdom to be wishing for strength to sustain hardship and inconveniences.
I was reflecting over the word BERDIKARI in our name. We said that we want to bring Berdikari or self reliance to our trainees. Then I asked myself this searching question:
Is it possible that we apply the same Vision to our society? Is it possible that we become self sustaining and self relying one day?
Hard thought and tough target to be addressing at the start of our 'life'. It is my belief that nothing is impossible (without pushing our desires beyond human possibilities and trying for the moon) and beginning to think, plan and do something about it can actually bring us to that place where vision starts becoming reality. It involves much work, many tears and frustrating moments as well as many partners to hold us up. It is possible, only if we believe it to be so. Do you agree with me?
I was reflecting over the word BERDIKARI in our name. We said that we want to bring Berdikari or self reliance to our trainees. Then I asked myself this searching question:
Is it possible that we apply the same Vision to our society? Is it possible that we become self sustaining and self relying one day?
Hard thought and tough target to be addressing at the start of our 'life'. It is my belief that nothing is impossible (without pushing our desires beyond human possibilities and trying for the moon) and beginning to think, plan and do something about it can actually bring us to that place where vision starts becoming reality. It involves much work, many tears and frustrating moments as well as many partners to hold us up. It is possible, only if we believe it to be so. Do you agree with me?
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