"Failure can let you down and make you give up everything that you will never step up if you don't pursue your dream. I also have a dream and desire of becoming a teacher do deliver meaningful lessons to young generations. What I need to make that dream come true includes not only luck but also belief and strong effort. All came to me like a dream".
These inspiring words were of Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong, a young girl with disabilities at Gio My commune who was awarded the first prize for her story in the competition "We talk about us" – organized by the Project "Empowering People with Disabilities (PwDs) on December 12th, 2016 in Gio Linh district, Quang Tri province. This event took place on occasion of the International Day of People with Disabilities – December 3rd, 2016 with the theme of "Achieving 17 goals for the future we want".
The event did attract the participation and attendance of nearly 250 members including not only PwDs and their families in 05 communes: Trung Son, Trung Hai, Gio My, Gio Hai and Gio Linh but also representative leaders of Quang Tri Association of People with Disabilities (APwDs), Gio Linh Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (DoLISA), communal Steering Boards and People's Committees.
There were various activities undertaken in this competition, consisting of exhibiting photos and stories written by PwDs for communicating about Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, sharing culture and performing arts among PwDs Clubs. Especially, the photography and stories exhibition caught most people's interest. Mixed feelings, including happiness and excitement, were there when some PwDs saw their own images exhibited to the public. Many other people were moved to tears when observing the great efforts of parents who had to take care of their children with disabilities. And also the feeling of sympathy for all when each individuals found themselves in the stories of the others who were not lucky in life. Rounds of applause given to the winners of the contest were the positive messages of encouragement, motivation and hope for a brighter future of PwDs when they will be able to overcome all difficulties in their life and fully integrate into the society.
People with disabilities seeing the exhibition of photos and stories
In addition, musical and role-plays prepared and performed by PwDs themselves were interesting parts attracted the attention of audience during the event.
The role-play "My hometown in flood season" performed by Gio My PwDs Club
The role-play "Life of People with Disabilities" of Gio My PwDs Club
The competition was a good opportunity for PwDs to show themselves with the community in a joyful and meaningful environment. It is expected that the belief and determination of typical faces praised in this event will continue being widespread and motivating PwDs in 05 projected communes to overcome themselves for a better life. It is also the closing words of Nguyen Thi Mai Phuong's story: "We are the unlucky but we can't lose ourselves for what reason. We should live truly with our heart, try our best to go beyond the fate for a better life. The life has no rules at all so we must find our own rules for the way ahead."
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