Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Let's Get Together - the ability of disability


Park areas and other green zones in the city are usually associated with children and their moms (children play, moms watch) , senior citizens who stop  by to sit on a bench  for some rest, young couples hugging under a tree, joggers and bike riders that practice their favorite sports..

There's also this category of  elderly people bound to wheel-chairs, and their caregivers ; they come here to breath some fresh air, escape loneliness, and interact with other people in the same situation. The green spot is ideal,  as it both relaxes and revitalizes, provides a pleasant setting for chatting and  fun.  One meets these people, especially in the late afternoon or early evening hours.


Most of the caregivers are foreigners, epecially filipinos (the latter are considered more tendered hearted than the israelis - which may be true ,but equally true is that welfare makes  local people lazy ,spoilt, and selective about work -  hence the need to import workers to help with the disabled people).

Though not physically disabled, these  foreign helpers are also in some way 'disabled' , for they are far away from their families, facing language barrier, hard work. and sometimes sexual harassment. They look forward to meet their compatriots in order to share  experiences and information in their native language. Sometimes, they get deep in their small talk, forget about the person in the wheel-chair, and suddenly one hears someone shouting something like :"Look, his head has dropped down...".


(The above photos were taken in the early evening hours ,from distance, as  I didn't want to embarass  or irritate anyone of my intended  'camera objects'.).

28 comments:

  1. This "disability" of the Filipinos can lead to insecurity & imminent danger for the real "disabled"

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  2. You always tell the most interesting stories Miss Duta. It's wonderful that the park has a place for the elderly and handicapped. I also think it good that the workers can fellowship with their own there.

    Although they must take heed at the job on hand so the handicapped are not injured.

    Beautiful shots of your green zones sweetie!

    Don't even get me started on welfare...it make folks 'lazy, spiilt and selective 'bout work' no matter what country!

    That said, I have no problem with those who TRULY need it to get assistance. 'Nuff said!!

    God bless ya sweet lady and have yourself an awesome day!!! :o)

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  3. I think the factors you mention that encourage importing foreign workers are universal, or at least universally mentioned. We in the US also experience conflict because of foreign workers, and in addition to locals being unwilling to do the work, there is also the perception among the foreigners that "there" (wherever they go for work) is better than "here" (wherever they are living). Otherwise they would be less likely to leave their homes and loved ones, at least in my opinion. If we ever discover a way to reduce the tension caused by people moving from one place to another, I will be surprised.

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  4. Very interesting blog again, Duta. I always find something to learn in regards to your country, and I think you were very kind not to make it too obvious that you were taking photographs of those carers.They do their best, the same as any one of us does.

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  5. It is so good that your city does have the areas that they can gather. It makes one feel better to get outside. And it is good that they can meet with their own as long as they remember what their first priority is, who they are watching. Interesting post!
    until next time... nel

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  6. That's nice to have a place to gather like that. Very discreet photo you took! There are certainly different kinds of disabilities, and compassion and care should be especially given to those with them.

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  7. DUTA, you always have the wonderful stories that are usually untold by many. Your thoughtfulness for the care-givers and the elderly is commendable.

    People like you should be in charge of writing history!

    Joy always,
    Susan

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  8. this is an iteresting point of view-somehow I never thouht about parks this way-but you are right-many lonely people there!

    Blog about life and travelling
    Blog about cooking

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  9. R.Ramakishran,

    Right. Family of the elderly should be on the alert and keep a close eye on chosen caregiver.
    Let's be optimistic and hope nothing bad will happen.

    Nezzy,

    Thank you. The place is not marked as one for people with disabilities, but this is where they like to come to for recreation.

    Dimple,

    I agree with you. We live in a global world; the phenomenon of foreign workers is the same everywhere, and causes Unsolvable social/economic tension.

    Vera.

    Thanks.
    Some of the caregivers are illegal workers, so they might panic when they see someone with a camera.

    I was aware of this, and of the fact tht people in wheel-chairs are not exactly happy to have their photo taken by a stranger.

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  10. Nel,

    "..meet with their own.." - I like this expression; it perfectly fits the phenomenon displayed in my post. Thanks.

    Connie Arnold,

    Welcome to my little blog and thanks for the comment.
    Indeed, there are various disabilities. The people I refer to in my post are elderly people, physically defeated by their age.

    Susan Deborah,

    Thank you for your very kind words.
    I believe most people will think and act like me in these circumstances.

    Ola,

    It doesn't have to be a park. A green spot with a few trees and bushes near the disableds' home will suffice.

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  11. I feel for the disabled and Filipinos...they both need help

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  12. This was a poignant post. One has to feel for both groups. Nice to see your park areas.

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  13. We have a similar problem here,the Irish are emigrating to find work,so immigrants are coming in to fill vacancies in the lower paid job market,to include carers in the private and public sectors.I have to say the ones I have met are friendly and caring,though sometimes there is a language barrier as their English is not good,this is difficult for the elderly.I love the concept of the meeting place in the park where the cared for and the carers can get together,something I have never seen here.

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  14. Kim & Stuff..,

    Yes, indeed. Both need help (for different reasons, of course).

    Linda O'Connel,

    Thank you. Things have greatly improved nowadays; once elderly disabled people used to be confined to home and bed.

    matron,

    This concept is possible here because of the climate. Most of the year it's warm and green, and people like it out there.

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  15. your last paragraph really grabbed me. It's true....and too often we're not aware. Thanks for this.....

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  16. That is also a problem here in Maine. They get welfare and don't want to work. Some yard men want
    $30 dollars an hour for raking leaves. The world has created monsters. I say cut the welfare off and make them work.

    yvonne

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  17. I will not even start on the social issues of welfare. I have never seen this at our local parks but most of the elderly have green areas to enjoy outside where they live. I am however, a firm believer that if you plan to work in a different country, you need to learn the language. Peace

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  18. Another wonderful post. A green space can indeed provide a calm, healing respite for everyone. I admire caretakers...they give so much of themselves for others. They too need a "green space".

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  19. You see the world in such a way, that it always surprises me what I see and learn over here.

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  20. Sarah (Nikki),

    You're welcome!
    Awareness - understanding other people's feelings and needs , is of utmost importance in any society.

    La Petite Gallery,

    I totally agree ith you.The present welfare system affects work incentives in a negative way.

    Lady Di Tn,

    Indeed, learning the basics of the local language of the country one intends to live in for a while - is a Must. This applies also to native speakers of English considered an universal language.

    Cheryl,

    Thanks.
    I like your words about the green spaces and the caregivers, and completely agree with them.

    Tanya Reimer,

    I feel flattered by your kind words. Thank you.

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  21. Interesting post. We have many who work with the elderly and disabled.
    I am a volunteer with Community Home Support.
    Tomorrow I accompany a client to an appointment in the city. It takes me 5 hours to go there, get her into her wheelchair and into the wheeltrans.
    We have some elder care workers who are from other countries, but most, in Canada, must have training and a certificate.

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  22. Jenn Jilks,

    You have my deepest admiration for your volunteering work with the elderly and the disabled.

    I guess Canada has the best care system possible for this population, as she's one of the best quality countries in the world.

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  23. What a thoughtful post, Duta. It's wonderful that the disabled and their caretakers have a nice place to gather. A nice respite for both groups.

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  24. Bica,

    Thanks.
    It is indeed beneficial to both sides.

    P.N. Subramenian,

    Thank you.
    I think digital photography has also something to do with our paying attention to things around us.

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  25. A very interesting and thought provoking post DUTA. You are correct in thinking that the care takers are also disabled.

    I think that alot here in the State of California where I live. I am from a Hispanic background. My father was born in Mexico and my mother was born of Mexican parents in Texas USA. I was born in Arizona and grew up speaking both Spanish and Enlish.

    When I started school, we were never allowed to speak Spanish. That would be frowned upon now and considered discrimination, yet it cause me to learn to speak English perfectly. Spanish was learned at home.

    Now in California, they have ESL classes, ESL standing for English as a second language. Second language??? I think not ensuring that everyone learns to speak English just disables some children so that they can't compete for colleges and jobs like English speaking children do.

    See...your post was thought provoking! I almost wrote a whole post as a comment! As always, loved your post!

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  26. Alicia,

    Thank you for your kind words.
    I don't really know what to say about the language issue in your country. All I know for sure is that a language, any language is an asset, and we should value and cherish it.

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  27. macey,

    Welcome to my little blog! I'm glad you like it. Looking forward to your next visit.

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