Miyagi Support Center News "Link (Yui)" No. 20, June 15, 2011

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

JDF Headquarters for the Comprehensive Support for Persons with Disabilities Miyagi Support Center
c/o Hagi-no-Sato Daini Fukujuen Taihaku-Ku, Sendai City (New address from May 1)
TEL/FAX: +81-22-244-6965
http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/tohoku_earthquake.html

Three months have passed since huge earthquake broke out. Local residents are taking a great deal of emotional strain as well as physical strain because of spell of hot weather. In the midst of all this, we had a greater opportunity to hear word of delight such as "You came right here. We missed you." when they saw our staffs wearing blue jumper. We realize we have a greater opportunity to see smiles as our activities are recognized by local community. We will make maximum efforts to retain links we have built without any interruption and keep to support afterward.

The total of visits (as of June 10)

JDF called on and had a talk with 1,343 persons with disabilities

Mr. Ueda, Secretary General of "Shimizu Foundation", visited us

The support center received a visit from Mr. Shunichiro Ueda, Secretary General of "Shimizu Foundation". Allegedly, he came with a view to make a study on the best use of the fund based on information from the support center because the fund would offer a grant for supporting devastated areas mainly in 2011. Mr. Kabuki, the Chief of the Center, Mr. Nishikawa, the Secretary General, and Mr. Yamamoto, the Secretary General, attended. Three of them were explained the purpose of visit by Mr. Ueda and discussed the need and measures to support devastated areas, including activity report of JDF Miyagi Support Center for three months and survey of devastated workshops started since early of June. Mr. Ueda told he would consider the possibility of grant projects in view of emergency relief. Should you have further inquiry in regard to "Shimizu Foundation", please contact JDF Miyagi Support Center.

("Shimizu Foundation" was established by the wishes of the deceased Mr. Yasuo Shimizu, who was the President of Shimizu Corporation, and raised capital from Shimizu Corporation.)

Photo 1:(from left; Nishikawa, Secretary General; Ueda, Secretary General of Shimizu Foundation; Kabuki, Chief of the Support Center; Yamamoto, Secretary General)

We joined comprehensive emergency drill at Wakabaen!!

On Tuesday of June 14, Mr. Ohno, Secretary General, and Mr. Nasuno, Deputy Secretary General, joined comprehensive emergency drill on behalf of JDF Northern Area Support Center. The drill was taken place by a social welfare corporation "Keisenkai Wakabaen", where JDF Northern Area Support Center roomed with.　The drill was begun along with emergency announce "a major earthquake has occurred" and siren at 10 a.m.　Staffs gathered at the entrance, and each of them reported damage situation of their posts to a general manager.　Soon after, fire alarm at a bread factory made the staffs evacuate users and themselves from facility in safe.　After everyone finished evacuation, one person was reported to have injuries on left elbow during evacuation, and the person was applied first aid immediately.　Although "Wakabaen" is in Tome City and not located in coastal area, they felt quite big shake so that users evacuated for real on March 11.　Thus, the emergency drill was filled with tense atmosphere. There were many imitable elements, such as system of command, evacuation guidance for users and first aid, that were put to practical use as manuals through experience.　We realized again that "we were living in the devastated area", and the comprehensive drill at "Wakabaen" had a sobering effect on us.

Photo 2:(emergency drill at Wakabaen)

What's new on our center

• June 13: Secretary General Nishikawa visited and observed "Kobo-Chikyu-Mura (craft center of global village)".
• June 14: Mr. Ueda, Secretary General of "Shimizu Foundation", visited JDF Miyagi Support Center.
• June 14: Secretary General Ohno and Deputy Secretary General Nasuno joined emergency drill at Wakabaen.

Messages from supporters

I realized again that the earthquake was the most disastrous on record when I came to the devastated area and looked at the wreckage of houses and the trace of town.　I am going to join support service at Kobo-Chikyu-Mura (craft center of global village) in Yamamoto-Cho as a member of JDF Miyagi Support Center from tomorrow.　I'm afraid I might be at the end of my working period without significant result while I'm wandering along with asking myself what is possible for me.　However, I believe "restoration" and "mutual cooperation" are to be achieved by person-to-person relations.　Nature is powerful indeed. "Person" is mighty as well.　I will try to connect "person" and "person" no matter how little power I could offer through this activity.　
(A volunteer from Osaka)

We need more human resource to help the persons with disabilities rebuild their lives in the community.　
Your cooperation and contributions are highly appreciated!

We are short of hands still.

1. Supporters at the Miyagi Support Center: demand survey through visits to shelters and support centers/facilities, taking necessary actions.
2. Secretary staffs of Miyagi Support Center: telephone counseling, arranging and taking necessary actions, accounting, general affairs, public relations, management of equipment, supporters, vehicles, activity report and record.
3. Supporters at the Miyagi Northern Area Support Center: demand and living conditions survey through visits to shelters in Kesennuma and Minami-Sanriku areas.

Translated by the Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Volunteer translator: Mr. Eitaro Ono