Life not a bed of roses for Julius

For Julius, 21, his gold medal in track and field at the National Special Games last year meant nothing when it came to real life.

As a visually impaired child, Julius has lived with discrimination from "normal" people all his life.

"There was one time when I was standing for about 30 minutes on the curb in Pondok Labu trying to cross the busy road, and no one offered to help," he said. Instead of help, all he got was an insult from someone who accused him of only pretending to be blind.

Now Julius is in his third year of high school at the Resources Center for Children With Visual Impairment in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta.

Even though he is proceeding with his education and has acquired numerous skills, Julius -- as well as other students at the center -- is pessimistic about his future.

"I still have to think about what I'll do after I graduate. Will there be any jobs out there for people like me?"

There are, indeed, several companies offering jobs for the disabled.

A big American fast food chain restaurant in Tebet employs four disabled people who are hearing impaired or verbally challenged.

"The four can work as effectively and efficiently as other 'normal' employees here," said the restaurant manager, who asked to remain anonymous. -- JP