Disability is not inability

Hello August. It’s been more than half a year. It’s almost the “BER” months. Jose Mari Chan is just sneaking down the loop in our playlists. How are you? Were the months good to you?

It’s been a whirlwind of political emotions – one that’s gripping you with drama and what-nots – some even hilarious, some stupid to a point and sometimes meme-worthy. Whatever the toxicity of mass media is, I hope you find something good to inspire you and keep you fighting for life.

July has ended with a bang especially for the National Disability Rights Week last July 17-23. Our local government unit starting with the Persons with Disability Affairs Office (PDAO) elegantly celebrated with much fervor and hope through a Mister and Miss NDRW Search, a communion or gala for persons with disabilities and fashion fest showcasing models from the PWD sector. In such a case, one asks – Are we making long term impacts and setting our priorities right for an inclusive society?

The fashion show steered the fierceness, grace and angst especially of our children with disabilities. It was a collaborative effort of Christopher Tabili, a fashion designer, with PDAO and the parents of the PWD children. Add up the PWD federation and all organizations who supported the event. The children have been training since January (I think) and it has given the participants and parents a tiring but fulfilling experience. Accordingly, it was worth it! I agree with a whole-hearted and capacitated mind. If you know what I mean!

At first, I was worried that inclusion and diversity as a fashion thing might face commercialization but I guess or hope it didn’t! What I saw were smiles and oozing confidence from the participants who persevered despite disability and discrimination. It also gave opportunities to show the world loud and proud that disability is not inability. That our children with disabilities have a greater future ahead of them where dreams can come true. It’s time that we talk and accept disabilities not for what they are not but rather for the true diverse persons we are.

Life may not be fair or cruel sometimes, but as long as there is life we keep trying and hoping good surprises will happen in the future whoever or whatever you are and whoever or whatever you want to be in the future.

Competition for the Mister and Miss NDRW is hardly a competition but a showcase of people’s diversity, blessedness and talent. The Miss NDRW winner is deaf but graced with beauty and the understanding of sign language that interprets communication as a creative tool despite the absence of words and sounds. Meanwhile, the Mister NDRW is a gentleman of Psychosocial Disability who is talented, poised and smart even under pressure. The two showed that looks, brain and heart go together even despite the discrimination stereotyped to disabilities.

The future is bright. A long-lasting impact is one made by creating lived experiences and unforgettable moments. Kudos to the hands and heads that worked and continues to work for our children with or without disability. Maybe then, inclusion is not too far off now! After all, as the Little Prince says, what matters most is not what can be seen by the naked eye but what can be felt by the heart.