Disabled with abilities: The ultimate test

Debbie A. Lubis, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Disabled people face denial and discrimination daily from their families, society and even the government. They must also deal with a lack of public facilities, public services and opportunities. Most people would buckle under the pressure.

But for Nine Rahma, who is blind; Mita, who is deaf; and Opy who is a paraplegic -- their high spirits and bright ideas have enabled them to overcome their limitations.

Nine, has had blurred vision since she was born 26 years ago and is currently an active campaigner for the prevention of drug use and a volunteer counselor for young people with HIV/AIDS. She has to get in and out of buses for her work though she has trouble recognizing which bus to take.

"I often have to ask someone near me to read the bus number and route as the conductor rarely shouts out the route and they are never patient enough to wait for me to read it," she grumbled.

A graduate of Jakarta Teacher's Training College (IKIP), Nine is eager to offer her assistance in the rehabilitation of drugs users and to counsel HIV infected people in Jakarta.

"What these young people need is someone to listen to them and share their stories with. They never mock me or look down on me. They accept me the way I am," she said.

Nine is known for her cheerful and humorous nature and she provides counseling through music. During her sessions, she asks drug users or HIV infected people to close their eyes and express their feelings when they listen to the music.

"Sometimes they scream or cry but I encourage them to let it out. It makes them more relaxed and open in sharing their problems," she said.

Her physical condition has inspired her session participants to be grateful for their physical condition and to make use of their potential in a productive way.

Nine works as a volunteer. She never expects any payment for her assistance.

"I'm sure someday there will be a school or institute that will hire me due to my ability," she said.

Nine has been turned down many times to teach at regular schools as the school authorities were afraid she would not be able to handle the students.

She is now contemplating an offer from a noted psychologist to work as a counselor in his office.

As for 31-year-old Mita, she has had no trouble getting a good job and is currently a lecturer at several private universities. Her hearing impairment did not impede her pursuit of a masters degree from the Bogor Institute of Agriculture.

Mita is able to communicate by lip reading and her pretty face belies her disability.

"You know, I'm actually looking for a soul mate. I wish I could marry a normal, healthy man. Is it possible?," she said, smiling.

Things are rather different for 26-year-old Opy. She has just broken up with her boyfriend as his family could not accept her limitations.

"His parents and siblings were shocked seeing me in a wheelchair. They told him to stay away from me as he would be burdened by me for the rest of his life," she said.

Opy, however, can deal with the situation; she is used to people feeling sorry for her. Opy was paralyzed from the waist down following a car accident six years ago.

"Actually, it wasn't the accident that caused the paralysis. I could have saved them if I had trusted the doctors. Instead, I went to a traditional healer who kicked my lower back to straighten the nerves in my leg. All the nerves in my legs were damaged," she said.

Opy has spent most of her time since then in a shelter for paraplegics in East Jakarta.

Her small house is located in an alley where the pavement is bumpy. Inside her house, she has to ask someone to hold her if she wants to use the bathroom. She has no access to any public transportation from her house.

"I can't stand being looked upon with pity. I decided to stay here (in the shelter) until I get a good job," Opy said.

The shelter enables paraplegics to be independent. Every room and bathroom is designed for wheelchair access. The shelter also provides occupational therapy and trains paraplegics to make greeting cards and to knit, among other things.

Opy used to work at Gambir train station in Central Jakarta. But her Rp 300,000 salary was not enough for transportation -- she had to go by taxi -- and diapers, which cost her Rp 5,000 each.

"I had to wear diapers because no one would help me go to the bathroom. I couldn't enter the bathroom alone because it's too narrow for my wheelchair," she said.

Nine, Mita and Opy are just a few of the disabled who have managed to develop their skills despite their limitations. In Indonesia, there are still millions of willing, capable disabled people who are waiting for the chance to contribute to society.

Perhaps someday, they will get that chance.