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Spinal Injuries Association helps differently-abled people realise
that life doesn’t end with paralysis but begins a new Thusitha has been paralysed knee downwards since a stage fell on him at a concert in 1994. Yet, that tragedy didn't stop him. Much of his athletic achievement has, in fact, come about as a result of this calamity. Some people believe life ends with paralysis. Others, like Thusitha, disagree. Thusitha is a member of the Spinal Injuries Association of Sri Lanka's outreach team. Since recovering from his accident, he has helped fellow patients come to terms with their situation and embrace their new life to the fullest. As an instructor in the S.I.A's Active Recovery Programme, Thusitha helps new users get to grips with their wheelchairs. The S.I.A was set up in 1997 by a group of patients who were undergoing treatment at the Ragama Rehabilitation Hospital. Headed by President Priyantha Peiris, the group took it upon themselves to help their fellow patients learn how to adapt to their new way of life. In 1998, the Motivation Charitable Trust, who inaugurated the maiden wheelchair project, began to fund the group. Although Motivation had originally planned to hand the project over to the Ministry of Health, the two parties jointly decided that the patient group was ready to undertake the project. Thus the S.I.A was registered as a non-profit organization in 2000, its first project being the wheelchair venture. Mr. Peiris spoke to The Sunday Times about the mission and vision of the S.I.A. "Getting a wheelchair itself doesn't fulfil your life as a differently-abled person," explains Mr. Peiris, who goes on to say that the S.I.A focuses heavily on post event counselling and preparing patients to face life again. One of the S.I.A's other aims is the manufacturing of wheelchairs and special seating for the differently-abled. While the wheelchair programme focuses on making wheelchairs for adults with paralysis problems, the Special Seating Programme looks at creating seating arrangements for children with disorders such as cerebral palsy. "So far we have produced around 160 special seating chairs," says Ruvini Weerasingha, the PR Officer for the S.I.A. "Many patients do not have the financial means to afford a wheelchair, and the Wheelchair Fund Association was set up to help such people," she adds, explaining that any one may contribute to the fund. Dr. Mrs. Lilani Panangala, Physician-in-Charge of the Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Hospital also stresses the fact that more funding for the wheelchair project is needed and requests the public to help in any way possible. Apart from the Special Seating Programme, the S.I.A also conducts various outreach and counselling programmes within the community. "One of the main problems is the fatalistic attitude of people," says Ruvini. It's hard to get patients to come to terms with what has happened in the prevailing climate of social stigma. The S.I.A also visits the homes of recovered patients, thus keeping the link between the association and its members strong. "Although Motivation is sponsoring our programmes at the moment, we will soon require local sponsorship as well," says Mr. Peiris, who goes on to explain that the Motivation project will end in the year in 2007. After the USAID funding via Motivation is withdrawn, the S.I.A will need local funding to continue its work. "So far the response from local donors has not been very promising," says Mr. Peiris, adding that many people are still unaware of the need for the S.I.A. "We hope more people will come forward to support our work." So, before you put down this article - stop, and think. What can you and I do for the differently-abled? They certainly don't need our pity - most, if not all of them are living their lives to the fullest and making the most of what life has offered them. They've embraced existence with more vigour than many of us can ever hope to. Perhaps, what they need is just a little support. Maybe a little volunteering at an outreach programme, or a small donation towards a wheelchair. Maybe just a phone call to say you appreciate what the S.I.A is doing for our community today. I watch as Thusitha zips around the training area on his wheelchair, deftly negotiates a bend and floats effortlessly down the steps. Out on the court, Thusitha dribbles a basketball with ease, circling the court and taking a wide-angle shot. It's in. He goes for the rebound, streaking across the court, cornering expertly - just in time for a second shot. In again. Looking at him, I feel ashamed - ashamed because I have done so little with what I've been given, while he has done so much. At the same time I feel a sense of hope, and thankfulness for the undying mystery we call the human spirit - the wonder of man's will. All over the world, people like Thusitha are helping others help themselves. All over Sri Lanka there are differently-abled people who are not willing to give up on life. People who have the will to succeed. Sri Lanka, both as a country and a society however, has been silent on this issue for too long. Both the authorities, along with the general public have conveniently ignored this aspect of social development for the past few years. The differently-abled have a right to enjoy every aspect of public life. It is their right - make no mistake about it. By ignoring this fact, we have failed not only as a society, but as a nation itself. It's time for things to change. It's time for us to make a difference. Remember,
life doesn't end with paralysis. It just begins in a whole new way. Model
Town - Ragama "Ragama is a town with a high density of differently-abled persons," says Mr. Peiris, explaining that the close proximity of both the Rehabilitation Hospital and the Ranaviru Sevana makes it the ideal place to start a project of this nature. The S.I.A also hopes that Parliament will pass an Act that stipulates that every public building should have an accessibility ramp installed. "The differently-abled are usually reluctant to get out of the house, because they need others' assistance to get around in public. We must change this," affirms Mr. Peiris. "Every differently-abled person has the right to access a public building." "We must first look at starting this project with the help of Sri Lankans. Only if we start in this manner will the government take it seriously enough to consider passing legislation," says Mr. Peiris. The first stages of this bold plan of making Ragama an accessible town for the differently-abled will unfold in August this year. |
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