Physically challenged 'lack role models'
DICHAWARID PUTTAPOTIWAN
THE NATION

Marisa Pongtanapatt

BANGKOK: -- MOST PHYSICALLY challenged Thais dare not dream of a bright career as there are very few role models for them to follow, it has been suggested.

When they look around, they usually find the physically challenged working as lottery vendors.

"It's a factor that explains why people with disabilities generally are not achievers," Marisa Pongtanapatt said in her capacity as a representative of the physically challenged.

"It's hard for children with |physical disabilities to find role models."

She suggested that Thai society should change that norm so physically challenged children could cross the line created by society and have a brighter future.

Speaking from a wheelchair, she voiced her opinions at a small event promoting the need to get physically challenged children to dream bigger.

Participants also discussed how the public and private sectors could empower people with disabilities.

Marisa, now a broker for a US firm, said going to school and meeting friends would encourage physically challenged children to be enthusiastic about learning, trying new things and, most important, practising living a normal life.

There are 1.7 million people registered as physically challenged in Thailand. Of them, 40,000 are under 15 years old, while 48 per cent have a mobility challenge, 16 per cent a hearing impairment, 11 per cent a visual impairment and the rest other disabilities.

Supacheep Didthad, president of the Association for the Physically Handicapped of Thailand, said laws regarding the physically challenged lacked serious enforcement, and that led to protests by concerned groups.

He pointed out that the physically challenged still faced limitations when trying to lead as normal a life as possible, such as accessing public transport.

For the private sector, Dr Ajjima Srethaputr, a senior adviser for Bangkok Dusit Vejchakarn's executive board, suggested that more employment options should be opened for the physically challenged.

"They can work as cashiers, hospital staff, etc," she said.

Ajjima encouraged companies to ensure that 2 per cent of their available positions be allocated to this group. "This would increase job opportunities for the disabled."

She also emphasised that physically challenged children should be given access to education that would better prepare them to be independent.

"At the same time, we should provide guidance to their parents so that they raise their children properly," she added.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/national/Physically-challenged-lack-role-models-30265662.html

-- The Nation 2015-08-01

good luck to them, trying to move around Chiang Mai. In a wheel chair!

Whilst I support the well intended initiative, the devil within me could not resist deleting the words "physically challenged" from the 1st sentence in the OP and applying it to Thailand in general.

I wish these people the best however looking for a role model might be stretching the friendship a little, most Thai's seem to worship the rich, have no hope ever of getting there, so pull out the credit card to pretend.

Role models would be great. But maybe a greater sense of popular acceptance needs to come first.

How many disabled people (apologies if that's not the correct term) do we see out and about on a daily basis? Virtually none. No, I'm not talking about those who by one means or another have ended up in the 'alms' business. I'm referring to ordinary people who should be attending school, working conventional jobs, enjoying recreational activities etc, etc.

The lack of infrastructure to facilitate this is a sad refection of an even sadder public attitude. As long as society insists on keeping the actual people hidden away lttle progress can be expected in the emergence of meaningful role models.

A shame.

Dream on. The 'Physically challenged' here are rated right up alongside those 'ugly' people in another thread.

Ask yourselves how many Thai's do you see walking or limpling around with so much as a broken arm........They pretty much stay hidden till there mended. Even more rare are the Down's Syndrome people that are kept way out of site and even scorned. Sad.

Luckily, the mentally challenged been having easier to find a role model. Apparently the role model is trying to bring back happines somewhere.

‎Peter Dinklage

Australian Cricket team

Dream on. The 'Physically challenged' here are rated right up alongside those 'ugly' people in another thread.

Agree but thumbs up for trying.

The "Sukhumvit Slider" is a role model for all beggars.....must be a millionaire by now

Public transport needs tons of work, but first just getting to public transport might be addressed. It is treacherous enough being able bodied just trying to navigate the "sidewalks" with all the power poles, access hatches, random bits of cast iron sticking up, uneven paving, and of course vendors that take up major portion of what should be walking area.

And then of course we have the cultural perception that being physically disabled is some result of karma, and that they somehow "earned" that condition. Suppose too much to ask about Stephen Hawking as role model, as he is farang.

Does dark skinned and ugly qualify as "physically challenged"?

Luckily, the mentally challenged been having easier to find a role model. Apparently the role model is trying to bring back happines somewhere.

Thank you three times.

They don't have them in lakorns? That's where everybody seems to take their cues from.