Previous Story
Dr. J: Helping persons with disabilities live meaningful life
|
Posted on Aug 18 2000
He wanted to be a medical doctor at first but he got involved in legal practice as mediator and later on in education. With his current job as director for the Center for Abilities Studies, Dr. John Joyner is making a difference — helping people with disabilities meet their needs and goals in life.
The Center, funded by the University of Hawaii Center for Disabilities Studies, is one of the several organizations in the CNMI assisting persons with disabilities.
Dr. Joyner said the presence of institutions and concerned individuals have helped increase people’s awareness on the situation of persons with disabilities.
His essay on American Disabilities Act was a runner up to the grand prize winner in last month’s celebration of the 10th Anniversary of ADA.
“We are very lucky that we have so many people assisting people with disabilities on the island. Most of them are concerned with their daily needs but maybe we should also begin looking at their other needs, for example, spiritual,” he said.
As far as helping persons with disabilities is concerned, Dr. Joyner said there are basic concerns that people or institutions should reflect on: What do they see as their purpose in life? What is their definition of life?
Responding to the needs of people with disabilities begins with an appreciation on what they can offer in their own little way.
It is in a way a reexamination of a person’s abilities “just like peeling an onion of disabilities.”
The regulations set by the American Disabilities Act have provided practical solutions to problems faced by people with special needs, even giving them tools to help them find their purpose in life.
When one thinks of people with disabilities, usually the main thing that one sees is their limitations. “Having those thoughts, then you would related to them as though they have limits so they react the way you are to them — with anger and rejection,” said Dr. Joyner.
It is time to change this kind of thinking. One should see them as people with a purpose, thus one’s resources should be geared toward helping them make use of their abilities to become independent.
