Persons with disabilities (PWDs) in economically underdeveloped countries have to put up with all sorts of difficulties, from discrimination, poverty, lack of opportunities, to lack of accessibility, among other things. For most, one of the biggest challenges is the scarcity of opportunities that make it difficult to create a sustainable means of livelihood.
In the Philippines, where about 16 per thousand of the country’s population has a disability, the concept of equal opportunities remains a dream, frustration, and a continuing challenge.
In August 2020, months after the pandemic debuted and troubled the world, the QRX Mission team decided to take action to give support and relief operations to the Persons-with-Disabilities community in barangay Apas, Cebu City, Philippines.
Driven to create a platform to give the PWD community a voice and visibility for more widespread aid, we interviewed a couple of massage therapists with disabilities to share their perspectives. It was a very moving experience – an experience that opened our eyes to an already prevalent situation.
It struck us that the daily life of a person with a disability is undeniably different and difficult from the life of persons without. Living in rural, marginalized communities poses a great deal of discrimination, as well as, psychological traumas early on in their lives. The opportunities are very limited.
A Day in The Life of a Visually Impaired Massage Therapist
Like Mr. Paciano Silot, a 62-year-old visually impaired massage therapist, who took up the massage therapy learning opportunity because there were limited opportunities that were presented due to his condition. Being inclined to music, Mr. Paciano Silot could have been a musician. Unfortunately, there was no opportunity for him to hone his talent.
For Mr. Silot Paciano, and other persons with disabilities, the state of their wellbeing has been a long-accepted bygone. However, there is still a lot to accomplish to alleviate their situation.
The Quick Mission Team realized the need to drum up awareness to provide learning and employment opportunities for PWDs. Such efforts may help promote a sustainable life for them. Being able to earn for themselves by tapping on their talents and latent skills also gives them the human dignity of being productive members of society.
Until more opportunities are opened to them for them to live sustainably and as long as the pandemic persists, the PWDs greatly need support.
Because of this, we have dedicated our efforts to bridge the gap by providing modest solutions for their lack of resources.
Join us in helping uplift the PWD community of 126 families in barangay Apas. Help us sustain our mission, get involved, and be proactive in lifting communities that deserve better.
We created a fundraising campaign dedicated to the continuance of our support to them.
To learn more about our current mission, check out https://www.gofundme.com/f/Community-Visually-Impaired-Mission
