T

he disabled are differently abled '€” anonymous

'€œYou'€™re not disabled; having cerebral palsy just means that you do what '€˜normal'€™ people do differently.'€ That is what my sister always says whenever I voice doubts about myself. Cerebral palsy (CP) is a disorder that affects muscle tone, movement and motor skills. When damage is incurred to the brain during pregnancy or birth, one outcome is for the baby to suffer from CP. CP cannot be generalized as each patient is different case.

I am fortunate enough to be one of the patients whose cognitive skills are still intact. My motor skills are also only mildly affected. I am still able to walk on my own, even though in a bended knee position (most patients are not able to walk or if they do, they need assistance).

However, I am not able to walk or stand for a long period. This is why I need someone to support me or a wheelchair to sit on if I have long periods of engagement.

Unfortunately, Jakarta severely lacks disabled-friendly facilities for the wheelchair-bound, senior citizens or generally those in need. Most of these kinds of facilities are only available at the airport and some shopping malls.
I have been fortunate enough to be able to travel overseas (Singapore, the US and Australia, to name a few), and in those countries, wheelchair and motor scooter lanes are available anywhere, from the streets to shopping malls to even amusement parks.

Growing up, I realized that I was different from an early age. The turning of heads whenever I walk past, the quick glances or scrutinizing stares and sympathetic sighs are the normal things I encounter in my everyday life. I know that the reason behind their actions is my walk being not '€œideal'€ or my inability to participate in sports, and I am all the more convinced that I am different. I am not going to lie and say, '€œI am not bitter or angry,'€ because there are moments that I do feel like ripping the world apart. For the better though, I have accepted who I am and I want to help people, which is the rationale behind this letter.

Currently, I am studying mass communications at the School of Communication LSPR (STIKOM-LSPR), Jakarta. I am one of the lucky ones who have the chance to study in a '€œnormal'€ school. There are CP patients who have difficulty in talking and living independently, let alone gaining access to normal study environments, so I am grateful to have the opportunity to study properly.

I know that usually people get jobs after finishing college. However, I honestly feel that in Indonesia (Jakarta), many people still look down upon those who are disabled.

This displays a stark contrast compared to many overseas communities that are generous in giving chances and opportunities to those who are like me, because they count more on functionality rather than aesthetics.

I certainly hope that with the incoming government, attention will not only be given on the clichés, such as flooding and the poor, but also the quality of life and security of the disabled.

Romario Kosasih
Jakarta