Miyagi Support Center News "Link (Yui)" No.18, June 8, 2011

“Let’s support our fellows in Tohoku with our bonds of friendship and strengths!”

Issued by Miyagi Support Center of Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Headquarters for Support of Persons with Disabilities affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake

Office: c/o Haginosato-Daini-Fukujuen, Taihaku-ku, Sendai-shi (since May 1)
Website: http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/tohoku_earthquake.html

Although it is already June, there are a number of people who live a difficult life in shelters. The needs are expected to change as the life in shelters prolongs and the summer is approaching. Information is gathered by making our antenna going up because some people with disabilities are still missing.
Gradually, signs of reconstruction and reopening are seen in support centers for persons with disabilities in each area. This article highlights the steps taken in Minami-Sanriku-Cho toward reconstruction of centers.

Visit activities

1,326 persons with disabilities were reached and had dialogs with visitors from JDF

Number of visits (as of June 3)

Support activities have begun in Minami-Sanriku-Cho, gradually and step by step.

In Minami-Sanriku-Cho, public facilities including the town office were damaged by tsunami on March 11, and its administrative function was moved to the town gymnasium “Bayside Arena”, where supports are currently provided. A consultation support center for persons with disabilities (mainly persons with mental disorders) “Kazenosato” was also damaged heavily by tsunami, and they moved to a container which was temporally placed in the parking lot of “Bayside Arena”. JDF made the first visit there on April 22, and, at present, assigns one full-time supporter. On June 6, 6 staff members of JDF (Director of Secretariat (Ono), Director of Secretariat of Northern Part (Imura), incoming Director of Secretariat (Inoue), incoming Director of Secretariat of Northern Part (Nakatsukasa), a supporter (Doi) and a member of Secretariat (Kawashima)) visited there to interview Mr. Miura, Director of “Kazenosato” consultation center.

(Left) Damaged building of “Kazenosato”
(Right) Inside the building of “Nozomi-Sagyosho” workshop

Makeshift whokshop of “Nozomi-Sagyosho”

Mr. Miura told us about the difficulty in securing the necessary cars for transportation support as well as the users who moved far away to the places of their relatives and acquaintances. Personally, Mr. Miura, the staff of center and their families also suffered by the earthquake. They are struggling to deal with both the support work at the center and their houses and families’ reconstruction tasks. We promised further cooperation and continued support for them.
Tsunami came to “Nozomi-Sagyosho” workshop too although it was on top of small rise of land. In late May, “Nozomi-Sagyosho” workshop opened at a prefab building in a mountainous area of Irie district. 6 members of JDF visited there when users and staff were having a relaxed time after work. Reclamation work was going on in the field next to the prefab building. According to the Director, Mr. Hatakeyama, the re-opening of the workshop was well-received by the users who had difficulties in spending all day with families. Talking with the staff and JDF visitors, the users were smiling. Many ideas seemed to come up to the mind of Director, such as a plan to build a bit bigger building than the current prefab one, a plan to offer accommodation, etc. We left there, having firmly promised to keep supporting as we promised in “Kazenosato”.

What’s happening in our local centers

• June 4: Visit by the delegation of Japanese Federation of Organizations of Physically Disabled Persons and JDF to Miyagi Support Center
• June 5: Visit by the delegation of Japanese Federation of Organizations of Physically Disabled Persons and JDF to Miyagi Northern Part Support Center
• June 4-5: Handover to upcoming persons in charge

Words from supporters

“I arrived in the town of Onagawa, praying for them, and saw the devastation which made me wondering how I could do a thing for them. Fortunately, I could talk with a lot of people and laughed a lot with them there. However, I heard conversations such as; “Mother of ... has washed away.” “My car was not drifted away.” “Goods are not enough in the shelter there”. Onagawa town is a beautiful place which is famous for its local delicacy such as oyster and bonito. From the bottom of my heart, I hope to visit there again after recovery. In addition, it was a very good experience for me to share the meaningful time with JDF supporters from all over Japan. But, more supporters are needed! Mud inside facilities could be removed more rapidly and the facilities could re-open sooner if more supporters join. I really hope that the support will continue with more and more people. (Supporter from Saitama)

Seeing the terrible situation of affected area, I stood rigid and stunned even though I had experienced the big earthquake occurred in Fukuoka a few years ago. I realized that I had not really understood the information though mass media. What I did as a supporter of Miyagi Support Center is; 1) Cleaning and preparation work in damaged centers, 2) Visit survey to shelters, 3) Support for persons with disabilities in shelters who couldn’t take a shower for a long time, 4) Support for users in centers for persons with disability (due to the lack of necessary number of staff there). The role of the Support Center is to respond to various needs smoothly and instantly. I listened carefully and seriously, and tried to understand from affected people’s viewpoint, which is the most important thing for me as a professional supporter for persons with disabilities. I sincerely wish the earliest possible recovery. (Supporter from Fukuoka)

For reconstructing better living in community for persons with disabilities, we are in need of human power now. Your support is greatly appreciated!
We need more supporters for the following activities.

1. As supporter in Miyagi Support Center; Visits to shelters and welfare service providers for finding out needs as well as responding to concrete needs.
2. As office staff in Miyagi Support Center; Telephone consultation, needs coordination, response to needs, accounting, logistical work, clerical work, coordination of supporters and cars, public relations, activity reporting and recording.
3. As supporter in Miyagi Northern Part Support Center; Visits to shelters, survey on living conditions and needs in Kesennuma and Southern Sanriku areas.

Translated by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Volunteer translator: Mr. Shintaro Nakamura