Activity Report from Philippines

Activity Report from Philippines

Life Haven’s Activity Report
APNIL Meeting
June 17, 2009

Last April, Life Haven assisted Mr. Edwin De Villa in organizing the
first Independent Living and Peer Counseling Seminar Workshop at San
Juan, province of Batangas. The workshop is the first major activity in
the municipality to organize and mobilize persons with disabilities. The
seminar workshop provides a venue for the participants to talk about
their own life experience and to learn from their fellows as well. For
the first time, persons with disabilities in San Juan assembled together
for the purpose of organizing them into a self-help group. On the same
month, Mr. Abner Manlapaz flew to Norway to study the personal assistant
system in ULOBA. The study trip is both informative and fun as I travel
with my personal assistant to visit the peer counselors of ULOBA at
their home office. The IL center model in Norway is very much different
compared to the Japanese model. In Norway, there is only one center
(ULOBA) who provides the personal assistant services throughout the
country. ULOBA’s services, which is based on the philosophy of IL is
limited in providing assistance services to persons with disabilities.
Their cooperative cannot provide the full range of services of an IL
center because their by-laws prohibit them to do more than what is
written in the by-laws. More information will be provided after Mr.
Manlapaz finished his report. In collaboration with APCD and SCIF, we
translated the DVD video about Nakhonpathom IL Center into Tagalog
version so that Filipinos can understand the video more easily. Last May
30, 2009 Life Haven and the Association of People with Disabilities of
Santa Rosa organized the fund raising concert dubbed “Live Free” with
collaboration of the Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled in
Malaysia. The Beautiful Gate Performance Art Troupe is the main
performer of the event. The concert itself was great. Unfortunately, we
fall short of the target funds to be raised. Nonetheless, the media
mileage is great by itself. Aside from promotion and plugging of the
concert by different TV and radio stations, Life Haven’s activities and
services was highlighted by a major talk show program (Mel & Joey.) The
project “Empowering Persons with Disabilities thru Community Organizing”
has started. The funds for the project came from APNIL. Life Haven
printed its brochures. We started the survey to identify persons with
disabilities in four barangays. We have identified 158 persons with
different types of disabilities. Most of the persons with disabilities
we have identified are interested to be visited by our organization. The
next step now is to visit them to formally introduce Life Haven.

Edwin De Villa’s Report
Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and Life Haven, Inc. conducted a 3 day
Independent Living and Peer Counseling Workshop at Village Plaza Hotel,
Barangay Maraykit, Municipality of San Juan, a first class municipality
located in the Province of Batangas last April 2-4, 2009 for the United
Disabled Citizens of San Juan, an organization of people with
disability. This was approved and supported by Mayor Danilo S. Mindanao
through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office. It was
attended by 17 participants. Most of the participants are not severely
disabled but they are having their own struggles. After seeing severely
disabled people leading such an activity, most of them realized their
potentials, increased hope for a better life and learned the possibility
of severely disabled people to live in the community. The United
Disabled Citizens of San Juan intends to share the Philosophy of
Independent Living to the other people with disability in the
municipality and expand their membership.
Community Based Rehabilitation has been present in San Juan, Batangas
since 2007. Volunteer doctors and therapists from the University of the
Philippines regularly conduct activities in the area. They learned
about our activities in the area and they had a representative attend
the First day of the previous IL workshop. They have expressed their
interest in collaborating with the NGOs and the Municipal Social
Welfare and Development Office to improve the quality of life in San
Juan, Batangas.
I will be working for the Municipal Social Welfare Development Office of
San Juan, Batangas soon. Some of my objectives will be research and
proposal of programs and services for People with Disabilities. Through
the cooperation of local people with disabilities and the existing
organization, it will be an advantage to promote IL and provide the
services, though the economic status of the town may still set issues.
The Association of People with Disabilities ? Santa Rosa, An associate
organization of SCIF and Life Haven, Inc. in collaboration with
Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled from Malaysia held a fund
raising and an IL awareness concert titled “Live Free” on May 30. Main
performers were from Beautiful Gate Performance Art Troupe. The
performers were great though we did not reach our expectations in terms
of audience and income. It triggered the interest of the people present
during the concert, and earned positive comments from friends and
relatives.

Activity report from Philippines

Spinal Cord Injury Foundation and Life Haven, Inc. conducted a 3 day Independent Living and Peer Counseling Workshop at Village Plaza Hotel, Barangay Maraykit, Municipality of San Juan, a first class municipality located in the Province of Batangas last April 2 ? 4, 2009 for the United Disabled Citizens of San Juan, an organization of people with disability. This was approved and supported by Mayor Danilo S. Mindanao through the Municipal Social Welfare and Development Office.

It was attended by 17 participants. Most of the participants are not severely disabled but they are having their own struggles. After seeing severely disabled people leading such an activity, most of them realized their potentials, increased hope for a better life and learned the possibility of severely disabled people to live in the community.

The United Disabled Citizens of San Juan intends to share the Philosophy of Independent Living to the other people with disability in the municipality and expand their membership.

Activity Report from Philippines, August 2008

Activity Report from Philippines, August 2008
(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on August 1, 2008)

PCIL Report for August
Date: August 1, 2008

Attendance:
Dr. Ike Ampo – Haci de Oro
Johnny Cacanindin – HACI Cebu
Edwin de Villa – SCIF
Mark Espesor – ADP – Iloilo
Sheryl Jane Uy – Iloilo
Virginia Montilla – Tahanan Walang Hagdanan (TWH Home without Stairs)

We had 3 new members who joined this meeting, Virginia Montilla is from TWH who joined the Advanced Philippine IL workshop, Mark Espesor, a Daskin trainee and Sheryl Jane Uy, a former military officer who got across IL in Hawaii. Most of the organizations were busy for the 30th National Disability Prevention and rehabilitation week.

Report from Haci de Oro:
We have Identified a PWD in need of a PA and the City Federation of PWDs in Cagayan de Oro submitted a Php100,000.00 budget proposal for the remaining months to be used in their trainings for IL and PA honorarium.

Report from HACI:
We will have an orientation in IL for the Association of the Deaf in Cebu on August 10, other activities are to be discussed further.

Report from TWH:
I am now preparing a proposal for an IL workshop to be conducted this coming December for the residents of TWH, and seek the support of resource persons namely Abner, Edwin, Jun and Joon. I am also looking forward into having a meeting with the Barangay Captain to have a dialogue with the owners of the apartments within the vicinity of TWH to be accessible for PWDs

Report from SCIF:
July 30, I went to the Barangay Hall and the Barangay Captain personally identified 21 PWDs in the area. We are also seeking help from the Barangay to conduct an orientation in IL and our basic rights and privileges.

Update August 20, 2008
We intended to visit one PWD, 54 years old, male. We found out that his house is not accessible for us at the moment since road improvements are on going near of his place. We will have to pass a single plank about 12 inches wide and 2 meters long and it was raining. Though I was able to talk to his wife, he can still walk with an assistive device for short distances.

I also found out that majority on the list given by the Barangay Captain are also senior citizens, but we are starting to reach out to the younger ones.

The proposal I sent (please see attachment) to the Barangay will be approved if the majority of the PWDs within the community are interested.

Activity Report from Philippines, May 2008

Activity Report from Philippines, May 2008
(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on May 27, 2008)

Date: May 27, 2008
Time: 8:00 pm – 10:20 pm

Attendance:
Mr. Abner Manlapaz
Mr. Edwin de Villa
Dr. Enrique “Ike” Ampo
Mr. Patrick “Johnny” Cacanindin Jr.
Ms. Teresa O. Chua

I. Monthly Report.
(1) Cebu HACI IL Team
Patrick “Johnny” Cacanindin Jr.
We will be training this Thursday, May 29 a male applicant for our PA pool. It is really not a training but an exposure to different cases of PWDs within our team. He will be affiliated to one PWD every 15 days among the team. Once he is skillful enough, we will make him our resident PA, to be utilized by the members of our team who needs PA. He will be compensated from our funds given by the Redemptorist fathers.

Teresa “Tess” O. Chua
We have a new member, Nelbert Lasquites. Johnny and I made our first visit and introduced IL to Nelbert and Jane on December 29, 2007. We endorsed Nelbert to Joey since both of them reside in Talisay City. Joey is currently working in the Person with Disability Affair’s Office (PDAO) in Talisay city. Joey paid him a visit for a talk with Nelbert and his wife, Jane. Then Nelbert went to visit Joey in his office at Talisay city hall. He spent almost a day doing planning with Joey on his IL activities.
We had one female PA trainee but she has to leave due to health reason. We are scouting female PA at this time.

(2) HACI de Oro
Dr. Enrique “Ike” Ampo
- The City Social Welfare Office of Cagayan de Oro will initially print 1,000 pieces. of new ID Card discount for PWDs. The City Federation President will also sign the ID and the phrase “at least 20% discount” will also be printed.
- I will appear in tomorrow’s local morning show of ABS-CBN Network called “Pamahaw Especial” means “Breakfast Special” from 6:30am to 7:00am to be inserted in the “Umagang Kay Ganda” means ” Beautiful Morning ” which is the national broadcast of ABS-CBN Network. It can be seen over ABS-CBN website. The Akap-Pinoy Seminar coverage will also be shown.
- Ongoing identification and submission of requirements for the Oro Habitat for Humanity Housing Program for PWDs
- May 21 to 24, 2008. Visayas and Mindanao AKAP-Pinoy Trainers’ Training was held in Cagayan de Oro.
- Included the probable construction of the IL Center in the planning workshop of AKAP PINOY.

On going preparation for the 30th NDPR week Celebration for the early release of the solicitation letters.
Included in the coming June 5, 2008 Social Development Committee meeting of the Regional Development Council the agenda for the presentation of the CRPD.
I just had a hearing at the Land Transportation office for my complaint of refusal to convey this afternoon. Present on the hearing were the operator and driver. The driver was penalized and must attend Drivers’ Seminar again.

(3) Life Haven, Inc.
Abner Manlapaz
Life Haven continues to participate in the formulation of the National Health Program for persons with disabilities. One of the programs we are lobbying is IL peer counseling program. It was noted that 32% of the government employees suffers from different forms of psychological disorder after the survey conducted by the Department of Health (DOH) last 2006. Hence, the health department believes that the psychological empower is needed by persons with disabilities including those who are still in the hospitals to address their total well-being.
One doctor also suggested that DOH should create a halfway program using the strategy of the IL concept to address the needs of persons with newly acquired disability to facilitate their reintegration in the community. Another point we raised is the mandatory issuance of health cards for all persons with disabilities. Of course, the health department is quite hesitant to discuss this matter further since it involves a big amount of budget to be implemented. Nonetheless, we are receiving a lot of support from disabled people’s organization and other non-government organizations. The formulation is going to continue and we could only hope that all will goes well to ensure that proper support is given to persons with disabilities.
By the way, during the last workshop, SCIF joined us in making the IL concept more acceptable to the group.
Life Haven is beginning to be recognized by National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) as a result of our accidental participation during the international celebration of the entry into force of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The celebration was held last May 12 and participated by numerous persons with disabilities to show unity and support for each other. As a result, we can represent the IL movement in the national sub-committee which is also known as NCDA-Sub-Committee on IDC.
We were also lucky to attend the consultation facilitated by the Commission on Human Rights to create the Philippines Action Plan and Program for the next 5 years. We successfully included the new convention on the rights of persons with disabilities as part of the core treaties that the government needs to respect, protect and fulfill. We will also be part of the committee as the formulation of the action plans and programs are developed.
AKAP-PINOY, the national federation of organization of persons with disabilities whose mission is to lead the advocacy considers me to be one of the trainers for advocacy training workshops carried by Akap-Pinoy. This is a good chance for us to incorporate the IL concept in the workshop I will handle.

(4) SCI Foundation
Edwin de Villa
In my report last month, I mentioned that we have a local ordinance for Office for Person with Disabilitity (OPDA). We also have a local ordinance in support Republic Act No. 9442 and cswd (???) started issuing Identification Cards though they do not comply with the guidelines issued by NCDA (National Council on disability Affair).

Minutes taken by:
Teresa O. Chua

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008
(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on April 22, 2008)

DATE: April 22, 2008
TIME: 8:00 PM to 10: PM

ATTENDANCE:
Mr. Abner Manlapaz , LHI
Mr. Edwin de Villa , SCI Foundation
Dr. Enrique ‘Ike’ Ampo, HACI DE ORO
Ms. Teresa ‘Tess’ Chua, HACI Cebu

1. Activity Report
(1) Activity Report by Ike for HACI de Oro.
(a) HACI de Oro submitted three names for the Internship Program.
(b) Regular Radio Program for updates, issues and concerns on Persons with Disability 9PWDs) every Sunday now moved to a new time slot from 5:00pm to 5:30pm.
(c) Lions Club, a civic organization, and Oro Habitat for Humanity in partnership with the City Government launched the Housing Program for PWDs that provides lot for persons with disabilities. The PWDs were in full force and had a brief sweat equity by passing over piles of hallow blocks on April 5, 2008 at 9am
(d) The City Federation of PWDs in our City which I am the President, gave a letter to the Mayor’s Office for possible lot donation for our IL Center. We still have to get response from the Mayor’s Office. The infrastructure funds will come from the 2 Congressmen of our city.
(e) Monitoring of the Accessibility Law Implementation for new buildings and public transport is conducted regularly.
(f) On March 19,2008, I visited a new friend who has SCI for two years now. His house is located in the municipality of Salay, Misamis Oriental that is 2-1/2hours away from Cagayan de Oro City. My PA, Joel Pabia accompanied me in this visit.
- He newly married to his girl friend before the accident happened. He used to be a fire fighter and now doing office work at their Fire Department. He is living near his work place.
- I showed him the CD of APCD and stories of PWDs in Thailand undergoing IL Program. He was curious to find out how do I attend to my personal needs such as put on my clothes, shoes and others. In his case, he is always assisted either by his wife or mother.

Interaction:
Abner: Ike, did you show him how you put on your clothes, shoes and etc.?
Ike: I showed him how I wear my shoes. He said he can not cross his legs and I told him that he can do it. Its just that he gained weight.
Abner: That’s nice for him to learn from you.
Ike: I described to him how I put on my clothes.
Abner: Sometimes, they need to see how it is being done more than describing it to them so that they will have the idea
Ike: He watched intensely on how I made my transfer from my wheelchair to the car. I also shared with him how I urinate because I notice he is using diaper.

(2) Activity Report by Edwin of SCI Foundation.
(a) Our negotiation with Local Government Unit (LGU) somehow paid off, we have a local legislation adopting the Republic Act (R.A. 7277) The Accessibility Law and support for Office of Person with Disability Affairs (OPDA). Please check the attached files.
(b) Though we will be under the supervision of the government, we will be able to provide services of an IL center through OPDA. We can still be a movement and act as a separate organization if necessary.

(3) Activity Report by Tess of HACI CEBU.
(a) We did not have activities outside HACI members. HACI Cebu is undergoing sad experiences these days. Atty. Gaboya, one of the co founder of HACI had a stroke in February, and he is paralyzed. We introduced PA to his wife in order to assist Atty. Gaboya when he is being discharged from the hospital.
(b) We lost a member 2 weeks ago, he is a quadriplegic, due to frailty of health.
(c) We have 2 members diagnosed with Stage 4 Cancer.
(d) HACI CEBU will continue to strengthen its activities even after the dissolution process. Meantime, we will lodged ourselves with the Avila foundation. They will be the custodian of our funds, Cebu IL team will have the decision on the funds. We have to write Letter of Intent to the Avila Foundation to formalize it.
(e) We will continue to evaluate the Cebu IL Team as we continue our activities and if we think we are ready to take the big step. We will put up a Center.

(4) Activity Report by Abner of LHI.
(a) In March, 2006 Life Haven joined the workshop organized by DOH to formulate the National Health Program for PWDs. IL Peer Counseling is recognized by DOH, in fact, when they distributed their guidelines for formulating the program, Peer Counseling is within the framework. Many participants showed support to IL philosophy, such as peer counseling and personal assistant (support system). We are also pushing for mandatory issuance of philhealth card for all Persons with disability and increase its coverage.
(b) Life Haven is also invited by Department of Transportation and Communication (DOTC) for the Transportation Accessibility Summit, which was held last March. HACI also attended this summit. Today, Abner was informed that this coming march, the plan will be finalized based on the output of the summit. The DOTC will invite LHI again for the final plan.
(c) Cristoffel Blind Mission (CBM), a non government organization, is very interested with our Peer Counseling Program. As a show of support, Dr. Istvan invited me to the Healthy Mind Summit 2008 held on April 21, 2008 at SMX Convention Ceter. Dr. Istvan is the head of the Community Mental Health Program of CBM. They would like to increase cooperation with us. The Philippine Psychiatric Association is pushing for a Mental Health Act which was supported by Secretary Duque of Department of Health (DOH). It is alarming to note that 32% of Filipinos suffer from some form of mental disorder, according to DOH research study conducted in 2006.
(e) Abner went to Department of foreign Affair’s office (DFA) today and attended the Sub-Committee of International disability Caucus (IDN) under the office of National Council on Disability’s Affair (NCDA) regarding the CRPD. The President ratified the CRPD thru an Executive Order and United Nation accepted it. Philippines is the 23rd country to ratify it. On May 12, UN office in New York will be having a celebration for the landmark convention. Philippines is planning to join the celebration by gathering a large assembly and invite the President in the celebration so we could express our appreciation for her commitment to the PWD sector.
(f) The PWD group is planning to have a march or walk to create impact and some suggested that groups of PWDs from provinces join us in this celebration on May 12.
(g) The I.D. for the 20% discount was already finalized. Issuance of this I.D. can come from NCDA, LGU (Mayor, Barangay). I think the I.D. form can be downloaded from the website of NCDA for easier reproduction. It has to be signed by the City Mayor or municipality mayor. Please remember there is limit for purchases on grocery items and no limit for transportation, movie houses, motels and medicines. That means the PWDs must have a booklet to monitor the purchases of his grocery items. We can copy the booklet which the senior citizens are using.

2. Upcoming Training:
Report from Edwin.
Human Care Association (HCA) has approved on the request of HACI Cebu and HACI de Oro for additional personal assistant of 1 each. HCA is interested with Bayview Park Hotel, they will confirm it within the week.
The first quotation we received for the venue and accommodation is P396,000.00. I was able to talk with a travel agency whose offer for the same venue is at a lower price, it is something like P365,000.00. Under that circumstance, we are thinking of asking HCA if we can add trainee but I have to confirm whether price on meals are same.

Interaction:
Abner: Edwin please check if we get to have a complimentary room for the secretariat.

3. Other Matters:
(1) Internship program.
Who sent their application for the internship program?
- Ike of HACI de oro sent 3 applications including himself.
- Abner applied for the internship program for the reason that the original applicants backed out due to the duration of the internship and their counterpart on the expenses to be incurred.
- The only HACI Cebu member who is qualified for the internship program is Johnny because he is the only member who is below 40.

Since there are no other matters, the meeting adjourned at 10:00 P.M.

Minutes taken by: Teresa ‘Tess’ Chua

Activity Report from Philippines for March 2008

(From Regular PCIL On-line Meeting on March 10, 2008)

HACI – Cebu
HACI is undergoing the dissolution process. There will be board meeting tomorrow. I cannot give you much at this time. On Wednesday, we will have IL meeting to discuss on how do you carry the IL in the future after HACI’s dissolution. HACI IL team will meet on Wednesday, March 12. Johnny and I will make a follow up visit with Therese and Nelbert (both SCI) whom we visited last year. We will find out if our Cebu Velez General hospital will allow us to have an office inside their campus after the international convention this March 27 to 29. Their contact, Dr. Jorgen Lim is still busy on their convention. The Cebu IL Team is not yet resolved whether they will form a new organization or will attach themselves to existing organization.
(Tess Chua and Johnny Cacanindin)

HACI – Cagayan De Oro
We just had a successful IL and PC one-day seminar here with the help of mam TESS. I had given my report and financial expenses, pictures to HUMAN CARE. We had an audience with our Misamis Oriental Governor Oscar Moreno fora lot since our Cong. Rufus Rodriguez promise for the infra but the Gov. declined our request…we will look for another donor will be our next move. This is the construction of an Independent Living Center-our version of OSCA. We donated a wheelchair form the 7th day Adventist to a gunshot SCI patient at the German Doctors’. The housing program of Habitat for PWDs will be launched this April. That’s all for now.
(Ike Ampo)

Life Haven & SCI Foundation
We (SCIF & LHI) are still looking for funds to conduct another peer counseling workshop. The original plan is to do the seminar workshop this March, however, due to budget constraints, we will move it to another date if we can raise the necessary funds. We visited a CP person (a quadriplegic on wheelchair who can barely move his limbs) in jail last March 4, 2008. He is in prison for about 5 years already for raping a young girl. They vehemently deny the accusation despite the court of appeal reaffirms the decision of the lower court. The case is now in the Supreme Court. It is being handled by the Department of Justice and was referred to the Public Attorney’s Office. We visited him to let him know that there are group of persons with disabilities who cares and empathize for him. We also wanted to see his condition inside the prison. He was so happy to see us and he narrated his story to the group. I met with Dr. Istvan Patkai and Violeta Bayato of CBM, they are in-charge of CBM’s Community Mental Health Program. I found out that they are now doing a lot of awareness campaign to help persons with mental illnesses including those with epilepsy. Information disseminated are substitute low-cost medicine, how to treat people with this kind of disability, etc. The program is geared towards community support, thus, making the community aware of their condition and therefore making them to respond better with their needs. Dr. Istvan is interested with what we are doing in the IL movement, particularly peer counseling among other services and activities we are doing. In the end, we can work together to bring this benefits to people with mental illnesses. They recognize us as a cross-disability group and they are very happy to know this.
(Edwin De Villa and Abner Manlapaz)

Activity Report from Philippines for Feb 2008

Report per organization as follows:

- Report of SCI Foundation by Edwin de Villa
The success of the recent Independent Living and Peer Counseling training conducted by Life Haven in partnership with SCI Foundation boosted the initiatives of persons with disabilities in the City of Santa Rosa, Province of Laguna. Three citizens with disabilities from the city of Santa Rosa who received the training, wholeheartedly embraced the concept and philosophy of IL. As a result, the three trainees are helping Edwin to initiate and to start a group in Santa Rosa that would be recognized by the LGU and will be part of the City Social Welfare Department’s initiative to form a Federation of PWD groups within the community.
This coming March 14 – 19, SCI Foundation intend to conduct another Independent Living and Peer Counseling training at The Richville Hotel, EDSA, Mandaluyong City. Target participants will be from Tagaytay City, Province of Cavite and Metro Manila.

Interactions:
Question: Who will fund the Independent Living and Peer Counseling Seminar workshop on March 14-19? (Ike)
Answer: We are looking for sponsors from government offices and private companies. (Edwin)

- Report of HACI de oro by Dr. Ike Anpo
1. HACI Cagayan De Oro is finalizing the preparation for the Independent Living Program and Peer Counseling Training and Workshop with close coordination with Tess of HACI Cebu. It will be held on February 21, 2008.
2. Mr. Renan Abas, an SCI individual with cervical level joined their fellowship with Canadian Missionaries. Ike is inviting Renan to attend on February 21 ILP/PC Training and Workshop.
3. Ike helped a friend who suffered spinal cord injury due to gun shot wound 2 months ago to avail of a wheelchair from the 7th Day Adventist (a Religious organization).
4. Usual Radio program every Sunday with new time slot from 5:00 to 5:30 pm.

- Report of HACI Cebu by Teresa “Tess” O. Chua
1. HACI is in the process of Dissolution. They had meeting with their partner, the Redemptorist Fathers and HACI IL team members, 4 out of 9 HACI IL team members were present. Present were Johnny, Dario, Gigi and Tess.
2. Redemptorist Fathers will continue their support to the IL movement in Cebu. They are now thinking whether they will form a new organization for IL Team or they will attach to one of the existing organizations for IL or other organization that will adopt IL program. Nonetheless, they are exploring the idea of inviting PARM doctor to be part of the new association or organization. Everything is sketchy at this time but the IL activities continue.
3. At this time, they have submitted ILP material to Dr. Velez of Cebu Velez General Hospital with the hope that they will have an office inside their compound to make them more visible to the community. Velez Hospital caters to Class BCD.
4. Tess hopes to have more time on ILP starting March as she have tendered her resignation to work as part time accountant. She is looking forward to learn from each other.
5. Tess and Irah visited an 8 year old boy, a banker friend of Tess referred him to the group. The group wanted to refer the boy to Leliani Fund. He was contracted with Meningitis when he was 4 months old. He underwent surgery when he was 8 months old to have a tube connected to drain the fluid from his brain. His father takes care of him since then. Irah is now working her way to document his case so the group can make referral to other organization who can help him.

- Report of Life Haven by Abner Manlapaz
1. On January 13-17, Life Haven and SCI Foundation conducted the IL peer counseling seminar workshop in Jalajala, Rizal. It was funded by DOH thru NAPC-PWD. Participants came from Nueva Ecija, Sta. Rosa, Rizal, Batangas and National Capital Region (NCR). The workshop generates positive feedback from the participants. Increased activities are expected from their areas especially that each of the 3 provinces intends to replicate the seminar in their place.
2. SCI Foundation & Life Haven is looking for funds to conduct another peer counseling workshop this come March, 2008.
3. The Sub-committee on Independent Living under the National Anti-Poverty Commission – Persons with Disabilities Sector (NAPC-PWD) is writing a report about the IL movement in the Philippines. I hope that your organization can provide some reports which have been successful from the past years.

Interactions:
- Tess and Johnny expressed their intention to send their testimony and activity report to include in the reports being prepared by the Sub-committee on IL of NAPC-PWD. They expressed how their life was change since they attended their first IL seminar.
- Abner reported the updates in APNIL meeting. Discussed were the activities and agreements in Global IL Network, updates on IL movement in Thailand which Shoji reported during his visit in Nakhonpathom last December 2007. Abner also informed the group that APNIL website is now very informative. The website will be linked to other IL networks from around the world. Local websites of APNIL members shall also be linked to APNIL. Abner encourage the group to send to APNIL their website as this is good promotions for all.

HCA Plan to conduct seminar in the Philippines anytime around early June. They wanted to know what Philippines need so HCA could prepare to increase Philippines capacity. Peer counseling, IL Program or Personal Assistant service are example that Philippines might be interested. The group could not decide at the moment and suggested that the group will set a meeting with Shoji to assist on the assessment of the group as to what is needed by Philippines to increase the capacity.

Beautiful Gate Foundation’s Proposal:
Beautiful gate foundation of Malaysia is proposing for partnership to hold here in the Philippines one of their performance tour. They are 28 persons (performers and necessary staffs) in the tour and seeking assistance for accommodation and domestic transportation. The proposal is still being translated from local language to English. Once finished, they will send us the copy for our reference. Partner organization can raise funds thru their performance.
Ike requested for a video clips showing their performances.
All agreed to discuss this matter further after receiving enough information regarding the performance tour.

The Latter Day Saints thru AKAP-PINOY will be donating wheelchairs across the country. Requirements are social case study and picture of the recipient. It is expected to arrive sometime March this year.
Ike would like to follow-up on the 2nd hand wheelchairs and accessible vehicle from Japan.

Abner informed the group about the home-based work opportunity. Requirements are: 1) Must be a person with disability; 2) proficient in English; and 3) can use internet effectively. Interested applicants should send their complete name, mailing address, email address, and telephone numbers.

Minutes were kindly taken by Tess Chua.

Activity Report from Philippines for Jan 2008

January 5, 2008

- HACI Cebu by Patrick Cacanidin Jr.

December 29, 2007, Tess Chua and Johnny Cacanindin visited NL, 35 years old, a computer engineer, married with three children and had a vehicular accident on December 19, 2006. He has had Spinal cord injury and now a quadriplegic.

We have a meeting scheduled next week to talk about having an IL office in Cebu Velez General Hospital.

Last December 9, 2007, HACI had a general meeting and majority of their members proposed to dissolve HACI. However, those who are involved in IL are intact and intend to continue our activities

- HACI De Oro by Dr. Ike Anpo

We requested COA (Commission on Audit) to sponsor the venue of the proposed IL and PC training but unfortunately denied for the facilities would have been occupied then. The scheduled IL and PC orientation was rescheduled to be conducted this January since the funds and the venue were not available at the time. HCA sent the money order last December 20 and we received confirmation from Postal Office yesterday (Jan 4, 2007) that the funds have arrived. We have coordinated with Ms. Tess Chua for the activity to be conducted on January 24, 2008 and expect an attendance of 20 persons more or less.

We do a regular promotion of IL and PC program through a radio show at RMN – DCXX every Sunday, 2:30 – 3:00pm called “Kumusta Ka, Igsoon” (How are you, my friend). The program solely tackles issues, concerns and updates of Persons With Disability. We are also promoting the continuous registration of PWDS

We held Christmas parties for children with disabilities with STAC (Stimulation and Theraputic Activity Center project) – German Doctors sponsored by the MASONS and other parties with local and national offices.

Three days ago (Jan 2) a 9y.o. child with SCI level T4 due to gunshot was referred to us and now undergoing rehab at the STAC and I think he needs a body brace. We also referred him to an Adventist NGO who gives wheelchair to indigent PWDS. The Country Manager of German Doctors’, Mr. Dietmar Schug, informed me also of a 34yo. male who is now with SCI due to gunshot also and he promised to set a meeting for us

- Life Haven Inc. by Abner Manlapaz
We managed to prepare and submit a project proposal for Panibagong Paraan 2008. We are also preparing for the upcoming IL Peer Counseling Seminar Workshop to be held at Jalajala, Rizal this January 12-17, 2008. This seminar workshop is funded thru NAPC-PWD by DOH

- SCIF by Edwin de Villa

We will be joining the IL PC training conducted by LHI this Jan 12 -18.

IL Activity Report from HACI Cebu in Philippines

Report by: Teresa “Tess” Chua

1. During the 3rd week of September, I and Ella Clark, our VSO (Volunteer Service Organization – a Non Government Organization based in England) volunteer professional met with Dr. Jorgen Lim, a rehab medicine doctor for referrals on clients. We are referred to the chief of clinics of Vicente Sotto Memorial Hospital, the Provincial hospital of Cebu. We were not able to make an appointment yet. Will work on it next week.

2. On October 8, 2007 Johnny, Ella, Irah and I visited a client, TS, who underwent surgery on her spine. We will visit the family and discuss IL to the family once the father is available. She is a referral of Dr. Jorgen Lim. The father is working in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, a city outside Cebu City, thus he is available only during weekends.

Prior to our visit last October 8 in the hospital, I have met TS and her parents at Dr. Lim’s clinic. Dr. Lim introduced me to the family and told them about Independent Living program. The parents wanted to know more on the IL concept. Besides, Johnny had made few phone calls with TS.

3. On October 9, 2007 Johnny and I had a meeting with our partner, the Redemptorist Fathers, represented by Ms. Armi and Mr. Karl Quisumbing. The survey they conducted within their parish showed only one possible candidate for IL. Thus we are requesting the Redemptorist if we can use their fund for the city wide IL program instead of Parish based. Ms. Armi is the one to convey the request to Fr. Leo, the Parish Priest during their weekly meeting on Thursday.

4. We are preparing an article for newspaper release with Johnny as our success candidate on IL program. We have also asked the permission of the Redemptorist Parish to allow us to post the article of Johnny’s story in their bulletin and also asking for volunteer PA.
Please refer to the write up about Patrick “Johnny” Cacanindin Jr. below

5. There is another client, the person had swimming accident, similar case with Johnny. I need to call for visit.

My Name is Patrick Mutia Cacanindin Jr. “Johnny”

My name is Patrick Mutia Cacanindin, Jr., I was born on June 8, 1969 in Oroquieta City, Mindanao but I grew up with my parents in Cebu City where I had my elementary, high school and half of my college days. I am now 38 yrs. old, weighs around 165 pounds and with the height of 5 feet and 10 inches.

I had a very active life before my accident. I used to go to the gym and had my Progressive Resistance Training (PRT), play soccer and was a captain ball in our school soccer team and a YMCA trained swimmer. I basically aimed to stay in tiptop shape because I wanted to become a part of the US Navy Paramedical crew. I took up and finished Bachelor of Science in Nursing for the same reason.

All dreams and hopes ended when I met a diving accident February of 1991 at the age of 21 in Mindanao that dislocated my cervical four and five. A spinal cord injury which made me a quadriplegic, meaning, paralyzed from the upper chest going all the way down; my lower extremities can’t move while I got few movements left in my upper extremities but none on my fingers because they are almost clenched. My life took a 180 degree turn from a very active lifestyle into an inert and dependent existence. I was once a health buff and now a struggling health seeker, so, when you come right down to it, an energetic life which took an uncontrollable fierce turn and then hastily halted.

I live an extremely different life after the accident – it revolved and evolved inside my room for several years. I never bothered to get involved with the outside world for I was thinking that it would be awfully intricate for me to adjust knowing that I will be on a wheelchair and at times need to be carried, accessibility was also one of my immediate concerns During that time, I never talked to people aside from my parents and close relatives for I was still trying to get through the depression stage.

Though a lot of people like my parents, relatives, Nonoy Concha and Minda Zoriaga (HACI members) have tried to encourage me to go back to mainstream society, I never really bothered. Nonoy Concha and Minda Zoriaga introduced the HACI (Handicapped’s Anchor is Christ Incorporated) organization to me but I was never interested in becoming a member with the notion that there’s nothing I can do if I join in because I can barely move. Until the time came when Tess Chua (also a HACI member) invited me to a Peer Counseling Seminar conducted by trainers from Human Care Association. Though I only had a smidgen of confidence that I can finish the training, I still attended.

That was the first time I stayed over a week away from my parents and away from my comfort zone. I thought I’d never finish the seminar because I had a lot of concerns and apprehensions. It was not really that tough for me but I was not really that comfortable because of a pressure sore. But I learned lots of things that made me what I am now. It opened my then closed world to which heaps of people especially my parents really appreciated.

It was then that I became a member of HACI. Realizing that if I could’ve joined at an earlier time, I could’ve done so much with my life; given my life a purpose and live blissfully.

Fortified with the confidence that I gained from the seminar even though I know that situations will not be as easy as the first seminar workshop that I’ve attended, I accepted the immense opportunity offered by Asia Pacific Development Center on Disability (APCD) of Thailand in cooperation with the Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA) of Japan to undergo a training/seminar on Independent Living (IL) Program and Peer Counseling in Bangkok, Thailand last February 27 to March 18, 2006. It was my first trip abroad. I also had the same predicament this time like the first seminar I have attended, a pressure sore but a bit bigger yet I came home with two certificates at hand.

As I have expected, I learned, discovered and ascertained vast things for a (Person with Severe Disability) PWSD to pursue his life and live contentedly. I am very lucky that I have gone through that seminar workshop because it has empowered and endowed me the basics of Independent Living Program, how essential Peer Counseling is and the vital utilization of Personal Assistant (PA) Service. The latter has an enormous effect in my life because with the consequence that I am in presently, PAs serve as my arms and legs on carrying out my daily activities and other things that I want to do. Especially now that I am living alone with my PA because my parents moved back to Mindanao after we decided that I would try out living independently away from them and apply what I have learned from the training.

It has been over a year now since my parents moved back to Mindanao sometime April, 2006 that is about 3 weeks after I got back from my training in Bangkok, Thailand. So far, I am doing quite okay. I could say that I have taken off loads of burden off from my parents’ back since they do not have to worry too much on me for I can now manage my life alone. I owe so much gratitude to all the people behind the trainings and seminars, (the trainers, interpreters, personal assistants, staff and colleagues). I appreciate their efforts for reaching out to persons with severe disabilities (PWSDs) like me who’s struggling to go back to the community. I know they will be blessed exceedingly for touching and making other peoples lives a whole lot better.

Right now, our IL (Independent Living) team here in Cebu is trying our very best to propagate the IL program and its services locally. I hope and pray that we would be successful in our advocacies for I know that there are many PWDs out there that can still live a happy and meaningful life.

Peer Counseling Activity Report From The Philippines

3 Days IL Peer Counseling Seminar Workshop for Patients with Disabilities at Philippine Orthopedic Center in Manila, Philippines

Life Haven and SCI Foundation conducted Peer Counseling Seminar Workshop at Philippine Orthopedic Center last September 12 to 14, 2007. The seminar workshop, funded by Toyota Foundation of Japan, introduced Independent Living Philosophy and Peer Counseling to patients who are about to be discharged. 14 rehab patients participated during the first day. We were fortunate enough to have six participants finish the three-day course the others were unable to do so due to reasons beyond our control. The seminar workshop is geared towards formation of support group of peers to enable patients with disabilities to accept their new situation and face life with self-determination, thru self-choice and take self-responsibility.

We intend to continue this noteworthy project to contribute in the preparation of newly-disabled persons to live independently when they return to their families and live in the community.

IL Peer Counseling Program:
Day 1: Sep 12 Conducted by:
13:30 13:45 Reception
13:45 14:00 Opening & Orientation Abner Manlapaz
14:00 14:30 Self Introduction/Building relationship Joon Baltazar
14:30 14:45 Break
14:45 15:30 IL History Joon Baltazar/Abner Manlapaz
15:30 16:30 IL Philosophy Joon Baltazar/Abner Manlapaz

Day 2: Sep 13
13:30 15:15 What is Peer Counseling? Jun Bernandino/Abner Manlapaz
15:15 15:30 Break
15:30 16:30 Nature of Human Being Abner Manlapaz/ Jun Bernandino
16:30 17:30 Discharge of Emotion Jun Bernandino/Abner Manlapaz

Day 3: Sep 14
12:00 13:00 Hosted lunch party
13:00 14:00 What is Disability? Jun Bernandino/Abner Manlapaz
14:00 15:00 Support Group Abner Manlapaz/ Jun Bernandino
15:00 15:15 Break
15:15 16:00 IL Program Jun Bernandino/Abner Manlapaz
16:00 16:30 Appreciation Abner Manlapaz/ Jun Bernandino

Feedback from the Participants:

In the evaluation form that submitted by the six participants who were able to finish the whole workshop, the seminar topics were generally clear to them although there are some topics that the participants suggested that the leader should provide more explanation or example for better understanding.

In general, the participants commented that they gain confidence talking to other people and that the workshop help them on their self-confidence. It also helped them accept their disability and their rights as a person. One commented the value of living in the community and having good relationship in the community people. One participant commented that he value each day he joined the group because the workshop helped him value life as a human being.

When asked about their recommendations that we need to consider to improve our next conduct of seminar workshop, one suggested that we should give reading materials during lecture while one person suggest that we continue to conduct seminar workshop so that more persons will understand peer counseling.

Evaluation from the Seminar Leaders:

The philosophy of IL is fresh for the participants and most are very eager to have deeper knowledge of the concept. Resource person should also be flexible for more meaningful presentation. Since the participants are all patients of the hospital, their disability is new to them and their interest may still be about recovering their life back from their former life. The leaders should become the source of information about disability and how they can live independently in the community with dignity and contentment.

There are 14 participants during the first day and only 6 of them completed the seminar workshop. Because of several reasons, the group assessed that it may be too long for them to sit on their wheelchair developing the backache and therefore prohibits their full participation. In the final analysis, the group will take into consideration on the next seminar workshop about possibility to shorten the period of the seminar workshop and to provide a more convenient place like possibility of participants to stay in the bed during the seminar.