Miyagi Support Center News “Yui (Link)” No.45, September 17, 2011
“Let’s support our fellows in Tohoku with our bonds of friendship and strengths!”
Issued by Japan Disability Forum (JDF) Headquarters for Support of Persons with Disabilities affected by the East Japan Great Earthquake
Offices:
Main Center: 2-12-2 Itsutsubashi, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi, Tel: +81-80-4373-6077 Fax: +81-22-266-0292
Eastern Area Center: 99-7 Motomachi, Wakuya-cho, Tel: +81-229-43-6639 Fax: +81-229-43-6685
Northern Area Center: c/o Wakaba-en, Towa-cho, Tome-shi, Tel: +81-90-8349-9403 Fax: +81-220-45-2293
Website:http://www.dinf.ne.jp/doc/english/resource/tohoku_earthquake.html
- Number of dialogues with persons with disabilities (up to September 17): 1,537 persons
- Number of supporters (up to September 17): 731
Mr. Norihiko Akamatsu, Manager of Wakaba-en of Social Welfare Corporation Keisenkai, gave a lecture.
Photo 1: Mr. Norihiko Akamatsu
Photo 2: Letter from the person to whom we delivered support goods
On September 11 (Sunday) at Wakaba-en, Mr. Norihiko Akamatsu, manager of Wakaba-en of Social Welfare Corporation Keisenkai, kindly gave a lecture titled “My thoughts on the experiences of suffering and recovery from East Japan Great Earthquake in and around Tome City”. He described the damage from the earthquake of March 11, the initiatives for recovery up until now as well as the communication with neighborhood community. There was no casualty, but 35 clients with disabilities and the staff members with them at that time had to stay together. After about one week since the earthquake, essential utilities became working again gradually, and support goods began to come. During that time, people in Wakaba-en baked bread to deliver to a supermarket nearby.
It was impressive that Mr. Akamatsu told that the circle of support became wider since the Northern Area Support Center was set up in Wakaba-en, and he himself felt like a member of JDF. The damage described in the newspapers just after the earthquake was so shocking that he couldn’t show the articles to the clients. Upon hearing Mr. Akamatsu, who was one of the affected persons as well as a supporter, I couldn’t help thinking what I could have done if it had occurred to me. In my prefecture Shizuoka, there is a high possibility of a big earthquake in the future. I thought it was necessary to prepare for the possible earthquake and take necessary actions to share what to tell. I also felt grateful to be able to support as a member of Miyagi Northern Area Support Center at the 6-month anniversary of the earthquake. (On September 11, by a supporter from Shizuoka prefecture, 25th cycle of Miyagi Northern Area Support Center)
Through the support activities of Community Activity Support Center “Kokoro-Saori”
Half year has passed since the East Japan Great Earthquake. When I came last time in May, I supported Minami-Sanriku and Kesenmuma areas as a member of Miyagi Northern Area Support Center. This time, I came to JDF Eastern Area Support Center.
At 14:46 on September 11, I observed a moment of silence with my colleague supporters at Onagawa Hospital. I feel energized to see the affected people trying hard again after weeping for the loss of their beloved town from tsunami.
At the Community Activity Support Center “Kokoro-Saori” where I’m doing support activity this time, the director, staff members as well as creators (clients) are working hard on saori activity. The director Utsumi told the creators at the day-end meeting that he would work step by step together with creators even in such a hard situation after half year since the earthquake. Although it will take a long time from recovery to reconstruction, I sincerely wish the situation gets closer to normal as soon as possible.
Photo 3: Setting the table for lunch
Photo 4: Having lunch with creators after lunch support
Continuous support is needed for the persons who have difficulty in living due to disabilities as well as the persons whose state got worse due to the earthquake. In Onagawa and Ishinomaki, the needs from the people of 60 years and older are increasing up to 60% of the total. The needs are also changing. Transition from shelter to temporary house and support for untroubled living in temporary house became an important issue. We supporters would like to respond to the needs as much as possible, and at the same time, we try not to make it an ad-hoc support. The point is to ensure smooth handover to local people. The situation here is still bad. However, we will think hard and do our best for smooth handover. There are still many lonely people. Cold winter will come. I hope that cold and lonely people will not spend the winter alone. (By a supporter from Higashi Ohmi Community Living Support Center for Persons with Disabilities “Rainbow” in Shiga prefecture)
Footmark of the support
Photo 5: A supporter from Shiga (left) and his colleague supporter
September 11 was 6-month anniversary of the earthquake as well as 10th anniversary of the terror attack. At a junior high school, there were just less than 30 students in the center of the circle of people in front of a half destroyed school building. The president of the student council said, “Let’s move in a positive direction, not forgetting about that day and feeling of appreciation to many people.” Dynamic drum performance followed. I am always asking myself, “Do I really support for future smile of local people after 10 years from now?” At the end of each day, local people give me energy by telling me “You helped me, thank you!” There are few more days. I will start by saying “Good morning!” with the best smile to make more people smile. (By a supporter, 25th cycle, from Shiga Prefecture)
Translated by Japanese Society for Rehabilitation of Persons with Disabilities
Volunteer translator: Mr. Shintaro Nakamura