BY MICHAEL ANGELO DEJANDO
(This is the last installment of our four-part series of inspiring stories to mark the National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week 2018. – Ed.)
THERE are 138,000 persons with disabilities in Region 6, the 2010 Census of Population and Housing showed.
Disabilities have a purpose and that purpose is for each one of us to find out.
Finding that purpose is a beautiful and unique journey that results into a contented soul.
Having a disability is not a hindrance
Along with thousands of Filipinos living with disabilities, 41-year-old Arvin Fidel Sarabia wants to tell the world that people like him are also human — capable of feeling hurt and insulted when people treat them bad because they move and look different.
During peak hours, Arvin would find it difficult to secure himself a seat in public vehicles as hurried passengers dashed their way inside — overlooking the sign which says, “Reserve this Seat for PWDs, Senior Citizens, and Pregnant Women.”
There are also times when his boss at work would require him — a person with poliomyelitis — to do a job which is impossible for someone like him to accomplish. When other people joke around, he would sometimes feel insulted because they would make him as their “clown.”
Despite these hard times, Arvin tries to live by the “strive for happiness” dictum of the poem, “Desiderata” by fully accepting such challenges, having faith in God, and relying on the support of his family and friends.
Currently a senator of the Junior Chamber International (JCI), Arvin didn’t allow his orthopedic disability to stop him from reaching his dreams as he was able to finish his bachelor’s degree in Commerce at the University of Cebu. A computer layout artist, event planner and businessman, he was awarded by JCI as the Most Outstanding Member (Area IV) in 2011 and Most Outstanding President in the same area in 2012.
“I am the type of person who never stops dreaming for a good life for my family. As long as I can earn money to supply my family’s basic necessities, and pay bills, tuition fees, and medicines of my parents, I will grab every opportunity,” said Sarabia.
Learning about his disability in La Paz 1 Elementary School when his parents told him that he has polio after getting hospitalized due to high fever when he was just two months old, Arvin stated that one of the challenges people like him face is discrimination.
“Until now there are clients and employers who are still preferring physically fit employees over skillful disabled persons. In fact, in the past, working abroad was really hard for me because other countries discriminate against anyone in the workplace because of appearance,” he added.
In coping with these challenges, Arvin shared that he does things the best way he can, lives up to the expectation and impresses his clients or employer, and proves to them that people like him can be the best, and they are not disappointments to the society.
“Be positive. Having a disability is not a hindrance. Yes, it is a challenge; but not a hindrance to your dreams because as long as you have strong faith in God and supportive family and friends, everything will fall into place,” stressed Sarabia.
With disability – yet capable
Together with the plethora of narratives that give face to the plight of people with disability, the stories of Katchry, Hazel, Eleazar, and Arvin all have a common denominator– that is, they use their “broken self” to serve others, and inspire fellow people with disability and other individuals to pursue their own dreams and aspirations.
“Don’t think of yourself as disabled person. Think of yourself as another dreamer, another person who wants his life to be improved, another being who has hopes, dreams, aspirations and capabilities,” emphasized Katchry.
“Our disabilities have a purpose and that purpose is for each one of us to find out. Finding that purpose is a beautiful and unique journey that results into a contented soul,” highlighted Hazel.
“Inspire other people through leading them in their life. Connect to the communities. Inspire people to do well. To inspire, empower people (and yourself). Developing self-awareness, an understanding of your strengths and weaknesses – knowing your own limitations – is key to personal empowerment,” stressed Eleazar.
“Be strong. Be friendly and have faith in God. Work hard and be serious in your craft. Everything will fall into place,” underscored Arvin.
Their stories contend that, disabled or not – it is striving for improvement, carrying out your purpose, serving others, and having personal resilience and faith in God that make up the formula for living to reach for the stars and to find your niche in the universe./PN
