A PWD’s Delight

Some people may depict persons with disabilities (PWDs) as those full of agonies and plights.

While some PWDs might be really going through these, there are those who consider themselves blessed despite their condition.

In one of my coverages, I met Jennifer Garcia, 38. She is smart and eloquent.

Being orthopedically handicapped didn’t stop her to excel and be an achiever. Garcia is one of the nine Filipinos composing the Philippine team who will join the 9th International Abilympics (IA) slated from Tuesday to Sunday in Bordeaux, France.

Abilympics (Olympics of Abilities for Persons with Disabilities) is a skill competition for persons with disabilities (PWDs) which is being held every four years.

The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), together with the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD), National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) and Abilympics Philippines jointly coordinate and manage the country’s participation in the national event.

Garcia is the country’s bet for the Word Processing category.

In an exclusive interview with Philippines News Agency (PNA), Garcia said the contest category would test their typing speed and formatting skills within two hours.

A mother of three, Garcia graduated with the highest honor in Associate in Computer Secretarial. According to her, their professor trained them to type while blindfolded.

“I didn’t know I could use this skill in the future,” she said, adding that she worked as a chat support where there were times she was talking to 10 people at the same time.

In a separate interview with PNA, Cecilia Olfindo, OIC chief, TESDA’s Partnership and Networking Division, said provincial and regional competitions were held and open to all PWDs. It is where the government chooses who will vie for the international leg.

Garcia won the Word Processing contest in “Kakayahan 2014: National Skills Competition of Pesrons with Disabilities”.

She said TESDA is a big help for their trainings as it endorsed them to TESDA-accredited schools.

Olfindo told PNA that TESDA’s role was to provide further trainings for the participants. “TESDA coordinates with appropriate training centers (e.g. a center which could help the participant in flower arrangement category).

Moreover, TESDA also provides soft skills like personality development. She said TESDA had partnered with industry experts to serve as trainers.

How does Garcia prepare for the upcoming International Abilympics?

Aside from volunteering for encoding jobs in her office, Garcia said she went to Baguio to feel the effects of the cold weather.

“I wanted to find out how it would affect my performance. Having chills or cold hands, for instance, is something I need to overcome,” she cited.

Then she emphasized the importance of one’s physical aspect. “Because no matter how good you are (in your field), if you’re not physically okay, it would defeat the purpose,” she noted.

Tears welled up in her eyes when she was asked for her message to other PWDs.

“A disability, for me, is a gift from God. Because this pushes me to strive harder,” she remarked.

She continued, “To my fellow PWDs, don’t lose hope, and don’t treat yourself as a loss in the community.”

“Be confident and still be thankful,” Garcia noted.

The young woman affirmed that some PWDs ask themselves why are they in such situation. But Garcia is optimistic that their disabilities actually help other people.

“Our disabilities help other people realize their being complete and blessed,” she said.

Meanwhile, Garcia attended the pre-departure sessions that TESDA had organized for the 9th IA Philippine team last March 18-19.

At the sessions, participants were given tips on how they could boost confidence and combat nervousness. They were also given a glimpse of France, its architecture and culture through a video. Bonding with the trainers was also scheduled during the sessions.

I saw in Garcia how the trainings really contributed to her personality.

It was nice to meet someone who, instead of complaining about her disabilities, is able to feel happy, blessed and complete. (PNA)BNB/MCCA