If I could...

If I could walk without assistance…

I would have gone to a place I wish.

If I could speak fluently…

I would be a lawyer or deejay.

If I could run…

I would have left.

If I could fight…

I would have won in every battle.

If I could choose…

I would be the happiest woman in this world.

Why is the ATM machine so high?

My friend and I went to shopping at Gurney Plaza today. I arrived there about 12pm. As I reached there, my friend wanted to withdraw some cash from ATM Machine. Consequently, we went down to basement 1 where the ATM Machines are located. There was no long queue at any of the ATM Machine there. My friend pushed herself close to one of them. Unfortunately, she could not able to see neither the screen nor press the button on the ATM Machine. I had to go near to tell her what was displayed on the screen and help her to press the buttons.

Accessibility is an essential aspect to made people with disabilities to live independently. Steep ramps, narrow aisles and toilets, high mounted public telephones and ATM Machine and inaccessibility public transportation stop people with disabilities going out from house.

Frankly speaking, I still don’t understand the feelings of a wheelchair bound truly even I do use a wheelchair in some occasion. I am able to stand up to reach things which are located at higher position and I am able to walk to reach the destination when the aisle is too narrow for a wheelchair. But I still have accessibility barrier when there are only squat toilets and staircase. Why not to have Universal Design in our environment to ease all the people.

Education is for everyone

When it comes to education, women with disabilities are likely to have obtained less opportunity than other. There are few issues that stop them to go to mainstream or even special schools.

Experienced, trained and understanding teachers are the main issue. I remembered there were teachers who ignored me when I was in my secondary. This was my main distraction in my studies. I did not have good support from teachers.

The second issue is accessibility. Despite many universities and colleges are designed disabled-friendly, there are still many issues need to be improved. For instances, toilets and ramps’ measurements are still inappropriate and classrooms don’t have proper seats for them. This problem may stop them to further studies in universities and colleges.

Awareness among course mates is essential. Lots of people with disabilities study in segregation from their course mate. Discussing, participating and cooperating among course mates should be practiced in order completing course projects.

With limited education and knowledge, women with disabilities difficult to get ideal jobs and income. They will never be able to earn enough to fulfill their daily needs. Discrimination in society against them will be widespread.

Women with disabilities’ confidence come from various aspects such as career, outlook, education, wealth, freedom and love life. Thus, education plays an important role to build their confidence.

Parents vs Love life

Today, I chatted with my two best friends on Skype about various topics including relationship, sexuality and how our parents see our love and sexual life. As I mentioned in my earlier posts, women with disabilities wish to have a man who loves and cares us.

Unfortunately, there are numerous obstacles to conquer in order to get true and comfortable love. One of the biggest challenges is to prove and convey to our parents that we have grown up and dare to go into “love battle”.

I have experienced tremendous times of failure. I failed to date the guy I like, I failed to pursue my parents that the relationship I really want to have and I failed to make the guy to be with me. I really felt the world is going to end when I encountered these all.

After several relationships, my parents started to understand that I also need love life and I wish to being loved. Sometimes, my mother gives me advices how to deal with a guy. I feel happy about that because my mother has understood what I need in life. However, my parents would never wish to see me heartbreak again, especially my mother. No matter what, all I need is support and understanding from my parents.