I was just watching TV at our bedroom and in the show they had someone on a wheelchair. So that really got me thinking of how the people here on a wheelchair go from their day to day lives. I mean not a lot of establishments here that were so accessible by them. I’ve seen lots of places that don’t have wheelchair access. Even trying to ride the public transportation would be so challenging for them. We don’t have public van that had easy entry for them. I guess unless the family will spend money to have custom made car. Going somewhere without help, it must be so difficult though. I mean going in and out of the jeepney with no help must be really hard. I know of course some passengers will help out. We as human being do our instinct to help. I guess that’s the best we can do.
When my mom was confined on her wheelchair whenever we brought her somewhere, we had to bring one of our nephew or brother-in-law with us to carry her in and out of the taxi. Sometimes Bob would carry her in and out of our car. My mom likes to travel with us. She enjoys Bob’s driving. Ha ha ha. It was not easy for her being confined in the wheelchair, I’m sure it was not comfortable for her too. We brought her places for her not to be depressed on being inside the wheelchair. Sometimes when she stayed at my sister’s house and they’re bringing her to the mall, some taxi drivers were so nice and helpful in carrying her.
I’ve known friends here in the Philippines that use wheelchairs too. But one in particular. I’ve seen him going around the places with his wheelchair. He is not whining about being in it. Instead he is so active in helping out other less fortunate people here in the city. I’m so happy to know him. He is so busy with his speaking engagements here and other places in the country. People really get inspired by him for not dwelling on being in the wheelchair. I really applaud him for that.
Luckily now malls, hotels and condos are easily accessible by wheelchair already. I think the schools too. Not sure if all hotel bathrooms are accessible to wheelchair user. I guess if booking hotels try to ask them ahead of time and get the rooms that are wheelchair friendly. The good thing here if the person has money, he/she can just hire a private male nurse to carry her/him in and out of the car. The going in and out of bed. Must hire 2 nurses for the 24 hour shift. But if the person has no money, I guess just ask the family for help. I’m pretty sure the family will help out.
Honestly I never thought the hardship of the handicap people endured before. But after seeing how the US cares and changed a lot of the building code for the handicapped people to have easy access, it really made me think a lot. I’m wishing and hoping that our government here have the funds to change a lot of the buildings to have ramps for the easy access of the handicapped. I mean I’m not saying for an instant or immediate change but slowly. I’ve seen there too when I went to the doctors office and all the names outside the rooms had braille writing for the blind people. They really show there how they care so much of the handicapped people. Just like the parking area of the handicapped there, they really made sure that its handicapped person that parks. Here we have handicapped parking but some people just don’t follow the rules and park illegally. They had also there that park illegally but the building owner immediately alert the car owner about it. If they don’t listen the building owner will call up the police.
Just a thought, I don’t mean to start a fire here.
Cheers Everyone!
Nice article Feyma.
Thank you Kuya Robert.
Have a good vacation here in the PI. Take care and God bless!
G’day Feyma.
When I lived in the Phills. things like that were not even thought about.
In Australia we have similar laws as the U.S.. New laws are being passed now that will allow automatic tow away of vehicles illegally parked in disability spaces. At present they have to be reported and given a ticket for a small amount (around $50) then if not moved they get towed. Now it will be $600 plus an amount as a fine if they are not road worthy.
Also in Australia we say DISABLED and not HANDICAPPED.
Reason….A disability can be worked around but a handicap sounded so permanent and final..
We have installed a special texture on the footpaths (sidewalks) so the vision impaired can follow a path a by counting a different textured mark in the pathway can locate where they are. I tried it with a organisation I am involved in as a fundraiser and got lost in the main street of the city. I actually had a totally blind guy as a “guide” to get me back on course if I went astray. It was a really good experience to try to understand what these people go through. I was blindfolded for the walk and the use of public transport.
To be honest, I think I would rather loose both legs than be blind.
It was nice to read your post on the disabled. There must be many thousands of them in the Phills.
Jim
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Hi Jim Hammond – Things been changing a bit here in the Philippines. I’ve been seeing some establishments that’s more wheelchair friendly (with ramp). It really is good to see how disabled or handicapped people being valued and respected in so many places nowadays.
Some people were offended if you used the term disabled. Handicapped is more okay to other people as well. I don’t want to offend anyone. Just use the term that’s more comfortable to you.
That’s good that you tried to experience being blind. Maybe as a human being we should do that. Some people laugh/judge at the disabilities of others. At least we know what the disabled/handicapped been through everyday. Then we will think twice of what to say it then.
Yeah I’m sure we have so many disabled/handicapped people here in the Philippines. Others they might just stay home due to poverty. No money for wheelchairs or whatever reasons they might have.
Thank you so much for stopping by.
Have a great day!
All I can do is speak for myself, Its harder here for disabled.
Hi Tom Brooks – That’s for sure. Hope it will change soon.
Thank you for your comment. Have a good day!
No doubt about it. Some of the sidewalks are so bad, I don’t see how you could even use a wheelchair in most areas of town.
cant use a wheel chair when I go out its the hopper or my fake leg and neither are off road , hahaha not many side walks where we live hahah
Yeah, I mentioned “in town”… there are sidewalks in town.. albeit, not good sidewalks! 😉
Oh yeah forgot your a city boy hahahaa
good topic, things will change in time
Yes, I think I see change already starting. It will take a while.
I never thought about it before it was me .
My husband is a wheelchair bound user Sir Bob Martin. As per observation we still experience hard accessibility around. We are also advocating Free barriers in all places for how many years.
I understand, Palermo Jacqueline. It is very difficult to get around town.
I understand, Palermo Jacqueline. It is very difficult to get around town.
Even cut curves in the street are frustrating. Schools is not free barriers. Only 5% of PWDs in the country are educated and the 95%..well sad to them. i am thankful that my husband belong to that 5% and he is an Law advocator/Engineer by profession.
Very sad, Palermo Jacqueline
Very sad, Palermo Jacqueline
Laws of accessibility here in our country has been made 30 years ago and still not totally implemented and the primary reason is that..Luck of fund.. Then saddenly news says…about scandal of Billions of scam on Pork Barrel…
Laws of accessibility here in our country has been made 30 years ago and still not totally implemented and the primary reason is that..Luck of fund.. Then saddenly news says…about scandal of Billions of scam on Pork Barrel…
Fairly typical here in the Philippines that so many laws are on the books, but not implemented.
Fairly typical here in the Philippines that so many laws are on the books, but not implemented.
Right…
Right…
I was having diinner with a DOTC Department head one eveing 2 yrs ago, I asked him, why don’t they enforce the laws on the books already, his response was “When they enforce the laws, the cops get richer” That should shed light on your comment Bob.
Haha, that sounds like nothing but an excuse. Cops get richer when they don’t enforce… people paying for not being enforcement targets.
What can i say Bob, it’s the Philippines. LOL
What i find comical are the so called “Check Points”. Back in 2004, I was living in CDO. In December of that year I had to make 2 trips (2 times each way) to Ozamis. Each trip there were at least 6 PNP checkpoints. Only 1 time during the 2 trips there was a PNP officer manning the checkpoint and he has sitting on a bench with his AR-15 laying on his lap and he was resting his head on it sound asleep.
Hi Feyma yea its like anything else it all starts with awareness, in the Philippines there are laws that new construction is supposed to adhere to but its not always observed
Accessibility Law (Batas Pambansa Bilang 344) and its Amended Implementing Rules and Regulations -Philippines
Hi Tommy – Yep, I agree. Hey, just like the rest they had the rules but hardly implement it. You’ve experienced using your wheelchair here. Not easy for you and rest of the wheelchair user.
I’m really hoping for change here. Hoping for sooner than later too.
Good to see you. Have a great weekend!
Mrs Feyma,
Good article! Something to be aware of if you are handicapped here. I was wondering how my sister would fare here. She is legally blind and has a guide dog.
Hi PapaDuck – I’ve seen blind people walking on the highway using their stick. They can sense when to cross the street. It really amazes me. Regarding your sister, if your sister used to be walking on the nice pavement pathway there. It might be hard on her here. I guess she has to have a good guide. It’s cheap to hire one anyway.
Have a good weekend!
Feyma,
This is something I had not thought about. I had been trying to convince my mom to move to the Pi with us, but didn’t even think about her walker, and need for smooth walking surfaces. Not to mention her inability to walk far without a motorized scooter. I don’t think it would be as good a place for her as here in the U.S.
Thanks for the article. I learned a little more today. 🙂
Hi Scott Fortune – Same as you I never thought about it before. But something on TV got my attention about handicapped people. Really if your mom don’t go out that much, living here is good for here. Especially if you move to a nice subdivision with pavement all over the subdivision. It would be fine. I’ve seen lots of good houses for rent and for sale in the nice subdivision. Only thing you had to spend a little bit in living in a nicer area.
Thank you for stopping by. Have a good one!
Hi Feyma – Well done for raising the subject of access for handicapped persons here in the Philippines. As mentioned by some others it’s not just the wheelchair bound but also those with general walking difficulties and perhaps even heart conditions making access difficult because of irregular height steps or no handrails etc. My sympathy goes out to those who live here as well as those who have the responsibility of caring for handicapped people. I just hope the local planning authorities will wake up to the needs of those truly in need.
Kind regards.
Jim.
Hi Jim – Thank you so much. You raise a good point there. I never thought of those other problems when writing this post. More now that I want something done on the problem. Feeling sorry for those other people that have difficulty too.
*** My sympathy goes out to those who live here as well as those who have the responsibility of caring for handicapped people.I just hope the local planning authorities will wake up to the needs of those truly in need.***—- Amen to that. Hoping to happen soon.
Nice to see you here Jim. Stay safe in Talakag. Have a wonderful weekend!