Miyagi Support Center News "Link (Yui)" No. 22, June 22, 2011

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

Issued by the Miyagi Support Center and the Miyagi Northern Area Support Center of the Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Headquarters for the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities

Miyagi Support Center
c/o Hagi-no-Sato Daini Fukujuen Taihaku-Ku, Sendai City
TEL/FAX: +81-22-244-6965

Miyagi Northern Area Support Center
c/o Wakaba-en, Touwa-Machi, Tome City
Phone: +81-90-8349-9403
Fax: +81-220-45-2223

http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/tohoku_earthquake.html

Three months have passed since huge earthquake broke out. The contents of needs of local residents have been changed; For example, we provide advices and help about move from shelters to temporary houses. Some people told us that persons with disabilities have nothing to do at workshops, which had already reopened. We recognized the importance to connect people in needs and the local government or other organizations. We will make maximum effort to tell the local government, related department or related organizations about the needs which are collected from activities of JDF Miyagi Support Center and the Miyagi Northern Area Support Center.

“NPO Daremogatomoni Kodaira Network” and “Social Welfare Cooperation Seiza Kai” provided two cars to “Social Welfare Cooperation Senshin Kai Nozomi Welfare Workshop”

Photo 1: Small ceremony of receiving cars in Bayside Arena in Minami-Sanriku Town

“NPO Daremogatomoni Kodaira Network” and “Social Welfare Cooperation Seiza Kai” provided one car to “Social Welfare Cooperation Senshin Kai Nozomi Welfare Workshop” respectively. Mr. Baba, the Managing Director, and Mr. Hatakeyama, the Director of “Social Welfare Cooperation Senshin Kai Nozomi Welfare Workshop” received cars in Bayside Arena in Minami-Sanriku Town on 20th of June.
The members of “Nozomi Welfare Workshop” required cars for outing for persons with disabilities. In response, JDF bridged these organizations
Because the cars of “Nozomi Welfare Workshop,” included the staffs’ cars, had disappeared by Tunami, the staffs had difficulties to support persons with disabilities. Therefore, the quick help was required for supporting persons with disabilities.
Everyone of “Social Welfare Cooperation Senshin Kai” is very pleased by receiving cars. Goodwill of “Tomoninet” and “Seiza Kai” in Tokyo and wish of “Nozomi Welfare Workshop” were connected. From this event, we recognized the importance of connecting people in the future.

Photo 2: The outing for persons with disabilities

“The Social Welfare Council of Kodaira City” provided three wheelchairs.

“The Social Welfare Council of Kodaira City” provides three wheelchairs for local persons with disabilities. We continue to make effort for people whose wheelchairs were broken or disappeared by Tunami and so on. Thank you very much!

JDF called on and had a talk with 1,386 persons with disabilities
The total of visits (as of June 17)

What's new on our center

• June 18: “NPO Daremogatomoni Kodaira Network” visited us. The members of “Tomoninet” delivered two cars and wheelchair to JDF Miyagi Northern Area Support Center.
• June 18-19: Handover to upcoming persons in charge
• June 21: Mr. Nakajima and other two staffs in Yamagata Branch of “Spinal Injuries Japan” visited us. They lend cars to Miyagi Support Center.

Messages from supporters

　I am in charge in Ishinomaki City and Onagawa Town from 18th to 26th of June. I was very shocked to see that the towns were destroyed. A local resident told me that he did not know whether he would be received a relief fund. He also said to me, “I am very pleased to have goods, but I do not know whether it is ok or not.” I wished help him, but at the same time, I felt the difficulty to understand his actual situation. 100 days have already passed since the disaster broke out. The numbers of the staffs are not enough. I am listening to the needs from local residents or organizations and telling these needs to Support Center. I will stay here only for one week, but I will make maximum effort to help people as much as possible.

I joined the team on the 101st day since the disaster broke out. I was very sad to see the scenery. However, people in workshops welcome us with smile. So I feel that the places are reconstructing little by little. Difficulties can be overcome by cooperation of people. Although I can little work for a short period, I believe that our endeavor will bear fruit someday. I really hope that people will be recovering as soon as possible.

Translated by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Volunteer translator: Ms. Yuri Goto