School for The Differently Abled - Davao City , Philippines

What would you do if you were invisible ? What if you could not speak , could not hear and could not see? What if you lived in a land that did not acknowledge your existence ?

Heading out for this trip ,  I would not have known how to respond or react. This afternoon, I at least have an example to follow and people who could help me answer this question.

Today, we visited a school that we support as a part of I Care 4 Children and Blueagle Marketing as well. We met with friends at a school for ” Differently Abled ” students. Don’t you love that ? ” Differently Abled ” What a neat way to look at life. One person’s disability is another persons gift right? These students are all either visually , hearing or orthopedically impaired. But as I am learning, they do not let that slow them down.

We take so much for granted in the United States and really in most developed nations. A business or school in the U.S. , cannot open unless it has equal access for everyone whether they be walking or in a wheelchair. Many crosswalks in major cities have audible tones for the blind to discern when to cross and when to stop. There are ramps and restrooms designed to allow you to be mobile in your community. Equal opportunity exists at least in law and theory for all Americans.

Here in the Philippines and many other developing countries, this is not the case at all. Disabilities or handicaps truly limit where you go and what you do. There is no requirement here for equal access . So if you are in a wheelchair or cannot see or hear , there is a huge restriction on the education you receive and where you can work if at all.

Having the attitude that one may be “differently abled” as opposed to a disabled or handicapped is truly an attitude of victory and opportunity. We spoke with a group of people who view life, and where they are, as a chance to capitalize on who they are and what makes them unique.

We learned today that there is no provision in this entire country for differently abled children to go to school. They have no health care and are not even allowed to participate in current or planned state run health care. Very few employers will hire these people because it is nearly impossible for these citizens to move around the community, much less get to work. The government has no provision for them and it appears to be a fact that they ( the government ) does not even recognize the differently abled as citizens. These wonderful people live as outcasts in their own land.

I have rarely seen such determination and optimism in a group of young people. Hearing impaired students working and learning graphic arts and coding as well as other technical skills all being taught by volunteers. Blind students and students on crutches and in wheelchairs excited by using 10 year old computers and dated software to gain any edge on learning to carve a name and a niche for themselves and their families. It was truly inspiring !

We spoke with a young lady who lost her eyesight in an automobile accident. She had just graduated from the University and was primed to begin her career when this accident stole both her eyes. When she came into the room the first thing that got my attention was the smile on her face. She wore glasses that gave the impression she could see, but she lives in complete visual darkness. I say visual darkness because there is nothing ” dark” about her. She beams.

After her accident she was in the hospital for 4 months. Upon her release from the hospital , the first things she did was to learn Braille. She then sought out the school for ” differently abled” students and is now learning how to code and implement Search Engine Optimization strategies. Her teacher is a volunteer who works for Blueagle Marketing. We are so proud of both her and her teacher.

This young lady had every reason to relinquish her life to self pity and poverty. She cannot see what you and i see. She lives in a country that barely recognizes her as a citizen, much less subsidize her existence , yet she wasted no time in accepting her situation and moved ahead rapidly with confidence into an area that she could prosper. Simply meeting her made me want to be a better person. She may not be able to see, but her vision is such that I can only strive to achieve. This young woman is full of life and will succeed !

Thank you Darlito , Jackie and all of the students at the School for the Differently Abled for giving us all a great example of courage, determination and leadership!

Sam Fagan