Persons with disabilities (PWDs) are the most excluded and left behind. To mobilize support for them this International Day of Disabled Persons, PWD-founded non-profit Alagang Akay, in partnership with the Sol Aragones Foundation, recently rolled out a total of 1,000 wheelchairs for PWDs and families in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Lucena City, Quezon Province.
Through the donation drive, former news reporter Aragones said they want to show love and affection through mobility aids such as wheelchairs and crutches, including a livelihood showcase.
“We have one goal, which is to inform and let the sector of PWDs feel that we are here for them; we are here to extend a helping hand the best way we can,” Aragones said. “We likewise hope to inspire them to have a positive outlook on life, to be happy in their lives.”
Uplifting the quality of life and promoting the dignity of PWDs and those of their families, Akay aims to tap medical and other professionals in assisting PWDs and make medical technologies and other innovations accessible to PWDs. Akay also encourages community leaders to help identify, screen, and prioritize those who will immediately benefit from specific assistance and interventions.
The foundation also aims to collaborate with organizations, both government and private, who are able to provide education, training and work opportunities for PWDs. This will afford them the dignity of a productive life — one that contributes to their families, communities, society, and humanity.
Leg-amputee Dwight Bayona, who stands as ambassador for Akay, has led the celebrations. For Bayona, it begins with uplifting the quality of life of PWDs with specific medical and technological interventions.
From there, Akay seeks livelihood, employment, and socio-civic involvement opportunities for PWDs who stand as equals to those without disabilities in terms of strengths, skills and creativity, he also said.
“Ultimately, it is about upholding the dignity of PWDs, who are as capable as anyone, to support their families, serve the community, and beyond that, help power the nation,” he added.
“PWDs innately possess or acquire some sort of superpower coming from a heart used to overcoming challenges, to triumph and to contribute to society,” added Bayona who lost his right leg in a motor racing accident in 2008.
Seeing the impact resulting from his accident, he already knew it would be amputated. “When I learned there was no hope anymore, despite the operations, it will never be restored; I have accepted it.”
The traumatic incident didn’t change Bayona, but challenged him more and made him even stronger. “I didn’t feel sorry about myself in the accident nor blame myself as it might be God’s will.”
“All I could say is, my family, my friends, my colleagues, and everyone around me, they inspired me to do something out of this,” he said.
In the coping process to transition from normal to PWD, “it is where the family comes into the picture, including friends and everyone around you,” he pointed out. “Everyone should be there to help you.”
Bayona gave an inspiring message to fellow PWDs, saying that “life doesn’t end just because of the loss of a body part.” As individuals, “we have our weaknesses and strengths; well-bodied people and PWDs are the same.”
“Do not engage in self-pity (because of our misfortunes). We can surely do what others can,” he stressed. “We should never lose hope because we can still do more especially if we are together.”
Bayona got inspired when he heard about the Akay Foundation that helps fellow PWDs deal with their misfortune in a positive way. “I wanted to be part of this foundation so I can also really help people as I know how tough it is to adjust and accept physical changes.”
For her part, “Chef with No Hands” Maricel Apatan said that whatever stumbling blocks come their way, “we will overcome them with the help of God.”
Apatan lost her hands, but not her spirit. It didn’t hinder her from finishing her hotel and restaurant management course at Lourdes College, eventually becoming a pastry chef at a prominent Manila hotel.
At present, she keeps on giving inspiration to many people as another Akay ambassador.
Model, vlogger, dancer and another Akay ambassador Sean Lester Beltran, meanwhile, lost his left arm due to bone cancer. He also gives inspiration to people through his posts on Tiktok with millions of views.
“These PWDs chose to be happy rather than be sad; chose to go out and be with us rather than isolate and make themselves feel melancholic; chose to strengthen themselves and live rather than forgetting that there is hope for a better tomorrow,” Aragones shared.
