Miyagi Support Center News "Link (Yui)" No. 14, May 21, 2011

Let's support our fellows in Tohoku with our bonds of friendship and strengths.

Issued by the Miyagi Support Center of the Japan Disability Forum (JDF) HQs for the Support of Persons with Disabilities affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake.
Released(May 21,2011)
c/o Hagi-no-Sato Daini Fukujyu-en, Taihaku-ku, Sendai City
TEL&FAX: +81-22-244-6965
URL: http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/japanese/JDF_shienhonbu.html

Miyagi Support Center has been going on the activity under the efforts by the supporters from all over Japan. Because of its effort by the supporters, we have expanded the cooperation with the stakeholders such as the local governments and other organizations. We would like to proceed our activity positively to meet the needs of the evacuees with disabilities as well as the community affected as much as we can.

Total visit we have done by 20th of May,2011

According to the activity dairy on the visit

The ticket of free taxi for persons with disabilities in Higashi-matsushima City

I took part in the activity to deliver the ticket of free taxi for persons with disabilities, which was launched by the local government of Higashi-matsushima City, for four days from 18th of May to 21th. The tasks of mine were a receptionist, to match the applicants on the list, and to guide those applicants for submission. The launch on the ticket of its free taxi has already been announced to the houses of persons with disabilities and the evacuees with disabilities at shelters in advance. I delivered the tickets for about 1,000 persons with disabilities, and could do it by face-to-face with 338 applicants among 1,000. Smiling with gratitude from those who received the ticket impressed me. I will visit shelters for evacuees one more day. I hope that the information on the ticket has already been reached to the persons with disabilities who had not got yet as the delivery of the ticket would be done only at a City hall.

Picture: Delivery on the ticket of free taxi for persons with disabilities in Higashi-matsushima City

What’s new on our center

• On Thursday of 18th of May the secretary general, Mr. Isobe, visited the Support Center in northern region for inspection.
• On Friday of 19th of May the chief of the Center Mr. Kabuki, visited the relevant organizations.
• On Saturday of 20th of May the chief of the Center Mr. Kabuki, the secretary general Mr. Isobe, and Professor Yamazaki had the discussion about the support for persons with disabilities.

Messages from the supporters participated in our activities

I have taken part in the activity to improve the living of the persons with disabilities with self-wondering about what is the necessary support for those. Two months has already gone since the great earthquake, and the support to the disaster regions has been changed into the one for rebuilding and recovering. It is assumed that the abilities of us, the supporters, might be tested in the stage of its rebuilding.
Our role as supporters is to catch the thoughts of those who receive its support, and to make its thoughts come true. Let’s going on our effort to see smile of the persons with disabilities; without compromise, do own best, be polite and judge oneself. (A supporter)

I participated in the activity as a supporter under the studio “Earth Village” from 16th of May to 20th, 2011. I was worry about the conditions of the persons with disabilities utilizing its studio as its studio reopened just two weeks ago. I felt lighter at heart as those with disabilities were much more lively than I thought. Those with disabilities had various backgrounds, for example, one who comes from a shelter for evacuees, and another who lost a member of his or her family. I learnt how important the role of its studio is for persons with disabilities in disaster region as there were some who have not known what to do in daytime.
I think that it is urgent for JDF to spread the targeted area based on successful outcome on the studio “Earth Village”, and give the opportunity for daytime activity to the persons with disabilities in disaster region. I made my mind that to keep doing the activity of its kind would be a big meaningfulness besides direct support in the disaster region. I continuously would like to involve with its activity. (A supporter)

Appreciation from the chief of a shelter for evacuees who involved with our activity in Higashi-matsushima City

• We can be stepping forward because of the efforts by the supporters from all over Japan. We would like to say our gratitude to all of you.
• Thank you for coming here far from your houses. We hope that you will be back home safely, and enjoy your living there without any hesitation or self-restraint for us. We will be able to hang in there because of your lively living. We will catch up with the condition of yours although it takes long time to make it come true. Thank you again.

We need human power to support rebuilding of the living in the community of the persons with disability. We welcome your cooperation!
We have been in lack of supporters. The activities of the supporters are below.

①The supporters under the Miyagi Support Center :Need-finding and support of its needs through the visit to shelters for evacuees and welfare centers.
②The administrators under the Miyagi Support Center :Consultation by phone, arrangement of support, accounting, management on equipments and living, administration, coordination of the supporters and the vehicles used for activity, public relation, reporting and recording.
③The supporters under the Miyagi Support Center in northern region :The visit to the shelters for evacuees in Kesen-numa and Minami-sanriku regions, need-finding, safety confirmation, and etc.

Translated by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities