Today
was my first full day in Ghana. There are seven other colleagues here on this
trip with me. All are females. YIKES! but actually not so bad(so far):).
Anyways, these girls are my age and all have never been exposed to a variety of
disability as much as I have. But they are awesome people who really are here
with open minds and I really respect them for coming with an open mind.
10:00PM: I will be lodging at an Orthopedic Training
Center, Insawam. This center is mainly focused on working with children-adults
with a physical disability. I am so thrilled to be meeting Ghanaian's with a
disability because I am eager to see the culture around disability. I am so
excited that I want to tell everyone about my family and all the places I've
been such as National Junior Disability Championships. For me, it's more like
me wanting to share my opportunities that I had the privilege of participating.
I
am pretty exhausted but wow! I am in AFRICA! and first thing after walking out
my door was a couple of older men with a physical disability, and I walked
proud on my way to breakfast. I didn't
have a big emotional/inspirational reaction because I've been exposed before
but I did appreciate this facility more though because of what they have given
to others with a challenge. I dont like the word "disability" so I
wont refer the Ghanian's as disabled men. Usually I like to to say "they
are __ with a disability, their disability doesnt define them. I am a little
too excited that I started to look for the kids, so I could see what they are
like and just play with them. I got to meet a woman names Louisa, and she
happens to have no arms(like my sister!) so no surprise for me to see her;) But
Louisa is such a great gal! she has a beautiful smile and loved her strong
personality. It reminded me alot of my sister(Ira) because they just know what
they want to deliver to people. Louisa shared her story about how she came upon
being adopted by the owner(Sister Elizabeth). And one interesting fact about
her story, is part of the Ghanian culture is disability is like a sin and some
parents try to erase the sin. So sad and just then I really felt so fortunate
to have been born in China and with parents who loved me just a little more to
put me in an orphanage. Even though I do not know my birth parents, but inside
I now do feel lucky now. We got to go to Louisa's village and right then it is
exactly what I have wanted to see for myself. And let me tell you, it is indescribable
the poverty..But the feelings I received from the villagers were
"joy".Just all smiles rushed onto their faces. I immediately went
down the ditch to step closer and be eye to eye. It meant so much to me that I
got to take pictures of the children and adults. As a photographer it is
important for me to capture the expression of the person by looking deeper into
the eyes. I really noticed the beauty in everyone's eyes for some reason
because it had a little light in their eyes. To me it represented the light in
a dark alley, and in a way It is how their life is like. Sounds cheesy but It
is what I felt and helped me to understand their struggle yet their strength to
put on a little for others. I met a boy who was abandoned by his mother and it
was heartbreaking to hear because he still doesnt know and Sister said lately
he has been filled with anger. And I personally know how he feels because I
know what it is like to feel a sense of loss and dont know how to express it.
Loss is something I think many of the kids here in Ghana will struggle with.
But in a way, every child will smile to remind themselves of "it will get
better".
Anyways to sum this up, I loved my first few days in
Ghana because the people even the kids have such open arms and yet they want to
give to us, when they have so little. Unbelievable. LAst supper with Sister was
really relaxing because we got to really hear Sister's Elizabeth's story about
her journey to Ghana and she has such a humorous personality! I never met a
Sister before so she was the perfect person to represent a Sister. Last night,
Scott Finnie(professor EWU) got his guitar out and sang with us for the children
as well as the young teens. Hearing him sing the Amazing Grace was so
meaningful to me in a way because that song was sung at my best friend Marin's ceremony
and it just reminded me of when that song is played, there are so many loving
people around that have memories of the times when they heard that song. Also
he really is a good human being who is a genuine person that was meant to be a
leader. The kids expressions on the face was beautiful, they were so focused
and really took in every lyric. Some other religious songs were sung which I couldnt
relate to because I am Jewish but its great the kids have a lord to believe in
though. Really is something that I find help soothe people.
Untill next time...
Beautiful photos.
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