There are many people and organisations in need. To standout and receive the assistance required, people and organisations need to be willing to help themselves
In recent times, three war zones have featured strongly in the media and on the minds of the informed: the Syrian civil war and the resultant influx of refugees into Europe; the Russian invasion of the Ukraine with its impact on world economy and politics; and most recently, the Israel Hamas conflict in Gaza that set fire to the emotions of the world. However, world interest in the Syrian war appears to have petered out, and with the horror of Gaza, the Ukrainian plight also appears to have taken a back seat. The focus shifts as new dramas unfold…
But in addition to these conflicts, there are many other struggles that cause immense suffering but go largely unreported and unnoticed: Yemen, Somalia, Sudan, Myanmar, and the DRC, to name but a few. The empathy and interest of the world tend to focus largely on the “more prominent” events; not so much on the very real but less noticed tragedies.
When it comes to choosing issues to support it seems to me (perhaps somewhat cynically) that the major drivers of support are politics and economy. Conflict that carries political clout or that impacts on the economic interests of other countries is given focused attention and significant support. Countries that find themselves in the backwaters of politics and economy are left largely unattended and conveniently forgotten…
If the world is so fickle about the suffering caused by wars and conflicts, how fickle is it on the needs of the people with disabilities? It appears that the needs of the people with disabilities, in the face of “more prominent” plights, place us in the same boat – largely unattended and conveniently forgotten.
We find ourselves in the Ministry of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities. Now ask yourself: In the face of child abuse and murder, sexual abuse and murder, women’s rights and the rights of children – so vocally advocated for in politics and the media – where do the plights of people with disabilities feature?
Many persons with disabilities who are economically active are so integrated in their own workforce and in their immediate communities that they seldom have the time or the inclination to become involved with the South African Disability Alliance (SADA) and its associate organisations.
Only a select few with a sense of social responsibility and an empathy for the less fortunate become involved in disability-related NPOs and other support organisations. Then, when accosted with the “what’s in it for me” attitudes, the unrealistic senses of entitlement and the lethargy of hopelessness that are espoused by so many members, they give it up and move on.
Within organisations too many members want it all but are lax in giving it their all. So, we end up with a vicious self-destructive cycle where we are too lax to help ourselves and we drive away those who are prepared to help until we have nothing left. Then we blame the politicians, big business and anybody else who we can point a finger at for not helping.
So, what to do? We find ourselves as unattended and largely forgotten outcasts in a world of increasing need in the face of diminishing resources; competing with a multitude of similar organisations for a piece of a dwindling pie. We have little to show as proof why we are deserving of a piece of the pie…
So again, what to do?
The first and crucial step is a change in attitude. It is not the fault of the community at large that we are what we are. The government and the general community owe us nothing. If we want their support, we must earn it. The time for demanding is over. So, we must put our sense of entitlement in our pockets, rid ourselves of our despondence and lethargy and step up.
Second, we need to redefine our organisational reasons for being. For instance, is QASA’s vision of “All South African Quadriplegics and Paraplegics will live their lives to their full potential” effectively not just somewhat nebulous wishful thinking?
In my opinion, the vision is conceptually too broad. In reality, will it ever happen? Given the unpreparedness of so many persons with disabilities to pull their weight. QASA (and other SADA-affiliated organisations) need to streamline their reasons for being and cut away all excessive non-contributing baggage.
Third, we need to identify and focus on person-enabling products and services. Freebies and handouts only attract the lazy and entitlement-opinionated. We need products and services that will attract persons who are willing to put in an effort toward self- development and accomplishment. QASA needs to expand its credo of “we don’t want new members” to include “we want members who don’t need QASA anymore”.
Last, we need to show the world that we are value-adders and not resource-drainers. Our value must be in what we bring to the table rather than just being sources of tax rebates and SETA credits. Then big business, economists and even politicians will recognise us as contributors in our own right and be prepared to invest in us rather than donate to us.
We will become front-liners, no longer forgotten and unattended. Support will be driven by expediency and not by social responsibility. We will be truly integrated into society.
