Wei Lun's journal reflection 1

Monday, March 21, 2011 ♥ 10:47 AM

The pre-trip AWWA training really led to me learn a great deal more about disability. We may have learnt about what the different disabilities are and what disables people with disability through our managing disability module, but we never ever got to see the full picture. At AWWA, they taught us how to transfer wheelchair users from their wheelchair to another seat. This led to me to think that people with disability really have more sides than we see. Firstly, they are not only impaired, but it also led to them have many difficulties in doing daily tasks. But what sort of help or assistance do they really need? With the gradual improvement in technology and with proper training, certain difficulties can be overcome. However, the thing that will always stand in the way of the people with disability is the stigmatisation by the general public.

During the AWWA interaction session, initially, I have to admit that I was a little apprehensive towards how to interact with them. I did not know if I should offer them my assistance or not. But as we got along, I grew comfortable with them, and started speaking to them like a normal friend. The crucial point here is that I needed time and interaction with them for me to realise that they are "normal". But do other people have this chance like me? Not many people do i guess.

♥♥♥YEP Team♥♥♥