People with disabilities and special needs are seen everywhere. Success stories of people with disabilities are not often heard. These people with special needs are also treated in a special way. But not all of them receive special treatment because some of them are being discriminated.
Although there are a few stories about people with disabilities achieving their full potential, not all of them have the dream-come-true tale to tell. This is why the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation on the island is encouraging people with disabilities to approach them. OVR Director Maggie Olopai Taitano said OVR is continuously reaching out to the people with special needs. OVR is continuously trying to make the families of disabled people realize that disability is not a reason to fail one’s dreams.
OVR themselves have an employee with a special need. He cannot walk but he made his way to success.
Up the ladder
He talks well. He thinks well. He plays and he has friends around him. John Cabrera, a student of Northern Marianas College is like every other person you know. He is happy working and studying. But what makes John distinct is that he cannot walk. He is crippled since birth and he goes his way around with the help of a wheelchair.
Back when he was young, John recalls how his classmates look at him differently. According to him, some of his classmates look at him like there is something wrong with him. Some, however, treats him special. These good people are the ones that help him when he needs something like opening a door, picking up something and reaching for something.
For John, he is no different. He said that even if he has a disability and some things are hard for him to do, he never thought of himself being incapable of pursuing his dreams. John studied hard and made it through his elementary years and high school years.
He recalls when some of his schoolmates tease him about his disability but he said it is a struggle he got used to.
“I just have to deal with what they say,” he said “I’m alright with what I am.”
When John got through high school, he said he did not even thought of not having a job. He went to OVR and asked for assistance. OVR was able to give him the help he needed by providing him a wheelchair and the training he needs.
He became a summer trainee at OVR.
But not all things are good for John. According to him, he found a few things hard to do without another person’s assistance. These things include opening doors and climbing chairs. “But those are just some of it. I still do what I need to do in my trainings.” He said.
He is grateful of his boss and his counsellors for being patient and helping him. One time, OVR opened a position for counselling assistant. The job of a counselling assistant is hard. It requires people oriented skills and knowledge in clerical jobs. Despite of this and despite of the number of people who applied, John tried to pass his application. Voila! He got.
In her speech during the recently held National Disability Employment Awareness Month, Taitano praised John for all his efforts and his determination to succeed.
She said that John is an example of a person with disability who tried his best and worked hard to achieve his goal. Taitano said that without John’s determination, self confidence and efforts, he would not be where he is right now.
John said he tried his best in everything he do at work. He believes that, his disability is not a reason for him not to study well and perform best in his duties.
As of now, John is taking courses at Northern Marianas College. He is taking the courses on college success and sign language.
He is encouraging other people with disabilities to believe in themselves, to work hard and to challenge their skills.
“Some people may think of us as different, and may be narrow minded but it is not a reason to fail,” he said.
