Discovering Jewels

This was an assignment for OT 100.
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The Filipino society has always been perturbed whenever the word “disability” slithers into conversations. The uneasiness brought by the word disability escalates to the 89th power when Filipinos see disability’s twin, “disabled” going across Ped Xing in crutches or worse, sharing a few laughs with Rajah Soliman’s statue at Luneta.

A great number of Filipinos (I didn’t generalize since not every citizen with Filipino nationality stamped on their birth certificates has the same twisted notion about disability) view persons with physical dysfunctions as pathetic, incapacitated, and all synonyms in between, individuals who are the less, if at all, productive members of the society. The society is even more unforgiving to persons with psychological dysfunctions, carelessly and heartlessly stereotyping them all together as deranged and should be locked up anywhere but near the comfort zone of the self-righteous-typically-developed sector of the Filipino society. On the other hand, caregivers of PWDs are often pitied for being martyrs. Normal people usually offer unsolicited sympathy to the caregivers because they think of all caregivers as the shorter and darker version of Atlas and the PWDs is the globe they are carrying.

Before I entered CAMP, I have a passive attitude towards PWDs. It was like, they were just there then I would pass by, feel sorry for their hapless state, and a few minutes later forget about the whole thing. Also, with physical dysfunctions, I admit that I used to look at, and we mean really stare at the PWD especially if the dysfunction is really noticeable. I was not able to help it because it was second nature to me, especially growing up in a society quite insensitive and condescending. With psychological dysfunction, most of my pre-CAMP encounters were with schizophrenics and I would just react if I felt threatened that they would attack me, but aside from that I really didn’t care about them at all. In a nutshell, I was apathetic. Furthermore, I had no idea about other psychological problems that’s why whenever someone is acting atypically but still short of being insane by society’s standard, I would dismiss it as a mere case of weirdness. And like the majority, I can’t help but feel sorry for the caregivers. I knew even then that it was no joke to take care of someone with special needs.

But barely after four months into this semester, I felt ashamed of my actions, or lack of it in most cases, towards PWDs and their caregivers. Aside from the new appreciation of the realization that I am normal and I should really be thankful of that, I’ve also learned to look at PWD more positively. I now know how to care, genuine caring that is…one that is not fleeting but for keeps.

I feel really happy that there is a profession focused on reaching out to PWDs, with physical dysfunctions and psychiatric problems alike, with a human touch willing to help and to radiate warmth into their icy orb that has been alienated from the rest of society. With the help of OT, these individuals are flown back in to the main stream of society after a hibernation epoch of wading helplessly in creeks. I personally think, bias aside, that OT is one of the world’s most noble professions... helping individuals, that were once looked down because they hardly contribute to the society, to engage in occupations to support participation in their respective contexts. Molding or rehabilitating, whichever is applicable, a seemingly unproductive individual into someone that can contribute something to the society despite being atypical is one tough job and a very satisfying one too.

It feels great to be a part of the OT team. And it feels good not to look down on PWDs but rather think of them as gems, uncut, yet to be polished, and potentials still untapped. And OTs are nearby willing to discover the jewel within.
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Sometimes, I need reminders like this to keep me going in OT. There are times that the college demands A LOT from us that I just want to give up and get a life. But assignments like this make me feel guilty. I'm too self-centered and preoccupied with my college-caused miseries that I often forget that there are a lot of special people waiting for my help in the finish line.

PWDs stands for Persons With Disabilities