Sincere empathy for the disabled?<\/p>\n
From Warta Kota<\/p>\n
The May 6 issue of Kompas featured an ad on page 16 titled
\nTheir contribution to the world is so great, which presented
\ninfluential physically disabled people like Franklin D.
\nRoosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Taha Husen, Abdurrahman Wahid,
\nBeethoven and Stephen Hawking.<\/p>\n
These distinguished people were brought to the public's notice
\napparently as a reminder that physical limitations or
\ndisabilities should not prevent anybody from pursuing high ideals
\nand accomplishing great things to change the world.<\/p>\n
In the context of empathy for those who are physically
\ndisabled but are still able to lead others, the Indonesian
\nAssociation for the Disabled (PPCI) wishes to express gratitude
\nfor the ad.<\/p>\n
However, we deeply regret that this publicity has appeared
\nonly lately while the nation is dealing with the question of
\nwhether a vision-impaired politician can run for president. Was
\nthe ad sincerely expressing the interests of the disabled or was
\nit a mere trick meant as some kind of political ploy?<\/p>\n
The PPCI has for a long time been struggling for the interests
\nof the disabled, but there has only ever been the smallest of
\nresponses from the government, politicians and social
\norganizations. Now when just one person with impaired vision is
\ninvolved, everyone emerges with a hostile attitude.<\/p>\n
We welcome any help from society but we are not pursuing any
\npolitical goals. Our struggle is based on the rights of the
\nhandicapped. We only want equal opportunities in all areas of
\nlife, as stipulated in Law No. 4\/1997.<\/p>\n
HEPY SEBAYANG
\nChairman
\nIndonesian Institute of Advocacy and Protection for the Disabled
\nJakarta<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/sincere-empathy-for-the-disabled-1447893297",
"image": ""
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
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