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Vlogger with celebral palsy inspires sick children at halfway house
Against all odds: Disability activist and woman with cerebral palsy Aisyah Cahyu Cintya (left) puts makeup on a woman at Rumah Harapan Indonesia
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gainst all odds: Disability activist and woman with cerebral palsy Aisyah Cahyu Cintya (left) puts makeup on a woman at Rumah Harapan Indonesia. She paid a visit to motivate children and parents in the shelter to stay optimistic despite their disabilities and illnesses. (JP/Vela Andapita)
Aisyah “Icha” Cahyu Cintya has had cerebral palsy since she was 6 days old, but has not let it get in the way of her dream to do good in the world. Despite her difficulties in talking and walking due to the condition, the 20-year-old is more active in many ways than others her age.
On Sunday afternoon, Icha sat in the living room of Rumah Harapan Indonesia (House of Hope Indonesia; RHI) in Tebet, South Jakarta, and readied for a talk and demonstration on make-up for its residents. Rumah Harapan Indonesia is a halfway house for disadvantaged children who have been referred to hospitals in Jakarta for treating their various illnesses. RHI provides them with shelter, along with their parents.
“There’s no use being rich and famous if you can’t do something for others,” Icha said carefully, and then laughed. She then got up to climb the stairs to the room where the sharing session would be held.
“Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Icha and I have cerebral palsy. Are you ready to learn make-up basics with me?” she greeted her audience cheerfully.
Icha works at Yayasan Sayap Ibu Jakarta in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta, a foundation that takes a holistic, integrated and sustainable approach to child welfare for orphans and abandoned children. On weekends, she participates in a variety of community activities with different organizations. She also manages an Instagram account, @aisyahcahyucintya, which had 1,630 followers by February.
“I also vlog,” she said, showing her “Icha Dis abality” YouTube account, which she set up on Jan. 3, 2019.
She has uploaded two videos, one a make-up tutorial and the other on living with cerebral palsy. She has 93 subscribers so far, and her make up tutorial video has been watched by nearly 2,300 viewers and has 816 likes.
Icha’s make-up video provides a step-by-step demonstration, from foundation to powder, eyeshadow and to mascara, just like she demonstrated for the residents at RHI. She even shares a favorite make-up trick.
“Did you know that we can also use lipstick as blush? Check this out,” she told her audience as she applied lipstick to her cheeks and blended it.
“My favorite beauty guru is Rachel Goddard. I like her because she is funny,” she quipped.
Icha lives on her own in Palmerah, Jakarta, and commutes by ojek (motorcycle taxi) and the Commuter Line train services. She rarely takes the Transjakarta busway because, as she said, it was exhausting. The Transjakarta facilities and services are not equipped with disability access.
“I’m grateful that my mother insisted on teaching me how to be independent, regardless. I hope the mothers in this room will also be like [her]. Let your children grow,” she said.
Cerebral palsy is a developmental disorder that can cause permanent physical disabilities that affect movement and posture. People with the condition can have difficulty moving or speaking, such as walking and using their hands. Some people with more severe conditions require 24-hour care, because they have difficulties in swallowing, breathing and muscle control, as well as with their bladder and bowel movements.
Cerebral palsy is caused by damage to the part of the brain that controls motor function and coordination while the brain is still developing. Some people develop the condition from a brain injury that they sustain while in their mother’s uterus, or within a month after their birth. Other people develop cerebral palsy from an injury to the brain that they sustain during a stroke that arises from surgical or heart complications.
The disorder primarily affects young children, and although the condition does not deteriorate as the child gets older, some difficulties could become more noticeable.
Among the audience was 35-year-old Santi, the mother of 3-year-old Syahdan, who has a lung disease. Syahdan has a hole in his neck because he has problems breathing through his nose. The condition has limited Syahdan’s activities, and Santi worries constantly about her son.
However, Santi said, she was inspired by Icha’s independence.
“I hope that Syahdan will grow into a strong, independent person just like Icha. I should also be strong in letting him be himself and treating him like a normal child, regardless of his condition,” she said.
Yayasan Budaya Mandiri arranged the event through its Kelas Mimpi Kecil (little dream class) program. Budaya Mandiri representative Max Andrew said the program aimed to connect less fortunates children with motivational people.
“Today, I brought Icha to meet the people at Rumah Harapan Indonesia so the parents here would become aware that if they have the patience and strength to raise their children regardless of their disabilities, their children will grow up well and happy, just like Icha,” he said.
