A feedback session

I was quite nervous by Tuesday morning and preparations started early. I cycled to town to get money to pay the sign language interpreter then helped the staff and skills centre girls to put up the gazebo (this reminded me of Hope House church back home), set out chairs for the meeting and make sure there was a ramp for wheelchair access. Guests and participants gradually arrived and we started only half an hour late. I was pleased that the Honourable district council representative for people with disability came on his trike and was keen to participate, along with other notables, disability activists and community leaders and some of the Global Care team. Tom helped me present the results. However the highlights were undoubtedly the moving and dignified testimonies from the research subjects I invited to speak. I introduced a young woman, saying I wanted them to hear from her, because her disability is visible, but her spirit was not. She spoke of how much abuse she suffered from her peers, how she had to fight to get her family to support her education and training, how girls with disability were treated by boys, and how even health care providers discriminated against people like her. She was asked by another person with disability in the audience; what were her ambitions? They encouraged her to pursue her dreams. She was followed by the mother of a child with severe multiple disabilities who is caring for him unsupported by anyone since the child’s father died when the baby was a week old. He can only make slight movements of his head and hands, and does not speak, but his eyes tell you that he likes to see people and try to interact. How she survives is a mystery, remember social security is practically non-existent. Again some of the influential people there had good advice and promises of support for her, but they got the message that people in these circumstances need a lot more help than they are getting. I had planned to highlight key messages at the end, but those present contributed a series of rousing speeches which made this unnecessary. After the meeting ended, several guests said how good and helpful it had been and that they thought that changes could result. I really hope so, and it is largely up to those people present to create the environment in which change can happen. I have some odd feelings about this situation which I am still trying to understand. I think it is to do with handing over control of something I have lived with for quite some time.

After the meeting and a short time to relax over lunch with some guests, I tried to settle down to write up my thoughts on the day. However instead I ended up driving to town taking the daughter of a staff member to the doctor as everyone was worried about her health. At least I could go shopping in the market while we waited for the test results. One of the stall holders asked me “where is Madame?” as it is so odd to have a man doing the food shopping. I will have to make sure she is with me next time. I ended the day writing my notes and blog as a thunderstorm grew and rain started, while the power went off and on.