Maria,
I have been thinking about it. I am aware only of some evacuation protocols
of relief organisations in the US. In this tsunami disaster media cover
there was one brief mention of a "woman in a wheelchair who could not get
away" and was swept away with the water. Another of a "Down's syndrome
sufferer " who is missing. That's it as far as I have seen. But clearly,
everyone is overwhelmed with the extremes of human vulnerability and
fragility at times like these. Calling for extra attention to the plight of
people with disabilities caught in such disasters is legitimate but also
relatively futile as for instance:
1. Hardly any physical safeguards can be put in place for such powerful and
rare events. Perhaps a warning system could have saved some lives, but again
time may not have allowed evcacuation of people who are difficult to move in
the first place, and within a stampede of crowds;
2. most resources are demolished and for mobility-impaired people barriers
have multiplied;
3. it is a maelstrom of fights for individual survival (and astonishing
altruistic acts).
But it is important to know what happened to people with disabilities in the
disaster. It may lead us to think of what can be improved for them under
such circumstances, and consequently, for anyone. It also may prompt us to
have regard for the human condition as one that must incorporate
vulnerability, dependence and fragility as part of a whole life, for an
individual person, or community. Altruism, the need to assist and support
each other to survive and grow, is a resource in human nature that helps us
through times of crisis. Importantly it would also help create a
sustainable, inclusive world, if continued to be acted upon beyond the
crisis. Of course death tolls are always higher in poor countries compared
to the richer ones, a testimony to what the right mix of material and
attitudinal support could do.
The best possible assistance that could be given to people with
disabilities--true for anyone--in times of disaster would be grounded upon
the foundation of daily supportive acts within such a sustainable community,
ie commitment to others.
Triage decision-making quickly develops under such overwhelming conditions
of disaster. A culture of commitment to others would lessen the risks of
triage decisions based upon misunderstanding the relevance of disability
within decion-making where the priority is survival of the greatest number.
In some ways this is what some ethicists and futurists are advocating now.
People with disabilities and the story of their experience have great
potential to contribute to a happy new year. Happy New Year!
I gave a paper on this subject recently and would be happy to send it to
anyone separately.
Erik Leipoldt
----- Original Message -----
From: "Maria" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 8:55 AM
Subject: Re: 2005
>
> Happy 2005
>
> Does anyone know of disaster support system particularly give to disabled
> person down there? I was listening to RAI TV International and heard of a
> man with MS from Italy who was among the missing Italians down in (can't
> recall which country). It occurred to me that what would I do, even
though
> I could walk some what not far, without my chair where would I go? without
> the hearing aid (batteries die out quickly when they are wet.who is
> thinking of this? DPI???? If yes where does someone call to make donations
> ?
> Maria
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "anitaghai" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: <[log in to unmask]>
> Sent: Saturday, January 01, 2005 1:39 PM
> Subject: 2005
>
>
> > Dear Friends,
> > During this time of the year, which should be a festive and joyous
season,
> > our thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives have been
affected
> > by this tragedy. As the 2004 draws to a close, the mood is hardly
> > celebratory in view of the colossal human suffering wrought by the
forces
> > of nature Losses would take a long time to heal and scars would remain
> > forever, However, in the hope that human spirit would ultimately triumph
> and
> > live on...
> >
> >
> >
> > Here is wishing you the best in the New Year.
> >
> > Anita ghai
> >
> > ________________End of message______________________
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> >
> >
>
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