I was very surprised when I arrive in Japan in August 2001 because I saw much more with severe disabilities in Japan than I usually did in the Philippines.The disabled people in Japan can go anywhere anytime. I had an opportunity to see how a disabled person could live by himself. A person with disabilities in Japan can live independently while getting help in such area as cooking. Access in the city is excellent.You can go practically anywhere with ease on trains and buses,and public bathrooms are available for the disabled. I saw severely disabled persons talk and write with special equipment.They use a computer for communication purposes. The disabled in Japan can lead a normal life.I like living in Japan because people are kind to the disabled.

I attended an intensive Japanese course from September through November in 2001.I had to learn Japanese,as I had to communicate in Japanese.It was a lot of fun to learn Japanese because it was my first experience to do so.I aqquired basic and survival Japanese.Now I am able to speak Japanese.I can also read and write hiragana and katakana.As I was not stresses while learning Japanese,I would like to continue to study and maintain my language skills.

I did my individual training from December 2001 through June 2002.The objective and area of training were the followings,

1. Advocacy
2. Various ways of networking
3. Organization Management
4. Information on organization and management of the disabled in Japan
5. Independent living programs
6. The environment and social welfare for the disabled in Japan
7. Peer counseling

The places I visited on the training program included Fukushima,Nihimomiya,Fukui,and Tokyo.The knowledge that I acuqired is very important for me because I can make use of it in my organization.Knowledge and skills related to advocacy and networking are especially useful.The independent living center and its programs provided me with many wonderful ideas.Indepent Living Center teaches the disabled to live independently and gives them training so that the disabled can do many things without assistance.I feel envious about the improved situations for the disabled in Japan because the government,corporations,and other organizations support the disabled.Another thing that is good for the disabled is the movement to achieve a barrier-free environment.I think it is wonderful to be able to communicate with people with different disabilities.I like the system of peer counseling.Counseling in Philippines is done by the able-bodied.However,in Japan,counselors for the disabled are drawn from people with disabilities.The point is that a disabled person understands another disabled person.I think I have gained a lot of knowledge and skills about peer counseling.

I went to skiing for the first time in my life on December 25-28,2001.First I was terrified because I didn’t know how to adjust the speed,but after one day I got the hang of it and enjoyed skiing a lot.I never thought that a disabled person could ski.

I have pleasant memories of visiting Disney Sea,Nara,Kyoto,and Universal Studios Japan(USJ).I enjoyed myself at Disney Sea and USJ.It was the first time I visited these places.I went to there with other trainees and disabled people.Nara and Kyoto are beautiful old cities with many historical sites.I don’t think I will ever forget my visit to these palces.

I lived in an appartment house for the training of independent living.I cooked,went to a super market,did washing and cleaning all by myself.This was also a first experience for me,as in my country,I am not able to live by myself.In Japan,I lived indepedently.

After the ski trip,I went to Gifu to have a home-stay experience with the Maedas,who were very kind and friendly.I stayed there for about one week.I really enjoyed staying with them.We went sightseeing in Gifu and ate out at restaurants.I had a chance to talk with their daughter and a nephew.Gifu was very cold although I enjoyed being out in the snow.I have many fond memories of my home-stay with the Maedas.I really appreciate the opportunity to stay at their home.

I am going to conduct a seminar or a training course in various organizations in the Philippines.I want to share the skills and knowledge I learned in Japan with people in my country.First of all I would like to initiate a program to make it possible for the disabled to have better access to places.And then I would like to establish an independent living center.I also would like to train leaders.I am willing to share my knowledge about advocacy and networking because such skills are essential for organizations.Ten years from now I hope to share every piece of information and knowledge that I aqquired in Japan with all the organizaitons and facilities for the disabled in the Philippines.

Duskin Leadership Training Program is very important for the disabled.Duskin gives support and training to people with disabilities so that they can be leaders on their return to their home country.I am glad to be one of the Duskin’s trainees.I think I have become a stronger person after having experienced,and learned,many things in this program and in my interactions with other people.I am grateful to the Duskin AINOWA Foundation for giving me this invaluable experience.Thank you very much.