Mon, Sep 06, 1999 page2

• An epic journey begins

  UNCHAINED A group with a special bond has begun a two-week trip around the island; all are confined to wheelchairs after suffering spinal cord injuries

  • By Monique Chu / STAFF REPORTER
  • • 
    • 
    • 

  Confined to a wheelchair since the age of 15 when a car accident severely injured his spine, Chang Wen-hao (張文豪), now 27, traveled from his mountain village home in Nantou County to join a disabled group in Taipei, which departed yesterday for a round-the-island tour on wheelchairs.

  Chang said his reasons for joining the trip were simple: he learned about it after reading a newsletter published by the Federation of Spinal Cord Injury Victims, which, together with the United Daily News, is sponsoring the two-week event.

  "It's my first time to travel around the island; it's just for fun," said Chang -- or Walis Mabu (哇利斯?馬步) as he is known by fellow Aboriginals.

  

  Nine people with spinal cord injuries depart on a tour of the island yesterday to raise awareness of the plight of others who are physically challenged.

  PHOTO: CHIANG YING-YING, TAIPEI TIMES

  An unexpected latecomer, Chang mingled comfortably with his companions in front of the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall yesterday morning, which was designated as the starting point for the trip.

  His ease is not difficult to comprehend. All nine of the participants share his everyday experiences: all are confined to wheelchairs after being either crippled by disease, or stricken by accidents in later life.

  For the event's organizers, though, the trip isn't just for fun. They say the tour is to raise general awareness of the federation, and to attract more people with spinal cord injuries to join the group.

  "The activity is to encourage people in similar situations to come out of their confinement and face the world," said Chien Ming-san (簡明山), head of the federation.

  It is because of stereotyping that many mentally and physically challenged people in Taiwan insulate themselves from the outside world, according to information from social welfare groups.

  The gap between official figures on these people and their actual numbers can well illustrate the facts.

  Ministry of the Interior (MOI) statistics show that more than 500,000 disabled people registered with the government by the end of 1997. But social welfare groups estimate that more than one million handicapped people live in Taiwan.

  Some participants share Chien's sense of mission: "When we push our wheelchairs [around the island], this can help others with similar problems. Maybe they'll think that they are able to do the same," said 36-year-old participant Tu Chih-shin (塗志信), an unemployed man from Pingtung County.

  After a similar one-week trip on the island's highways last year, 600 people were inspired to become members of the federation, bringing the total number to 3,500, Chien said.

  "This means our efforts last year worked," he said. The two-week tour this year, expanded to downtown areas in major cities and towns, should encourage more people to join the federation, he said.

  By joining, members can become better informed of services offered to those disabled by spinal cord injuries.

  Current information includes up to 150 job opportunities available at the MOI-funded sheltering factory located in Wuku, Taipei County, and halfway houses open to those suffering from spinal cord injuries.

  Participants also criticized the government for failing to create what they called an "obstacle-free" environment for the disabled.

  Legislator Cheng Long-shui (鄭龍水), who is visually impaired, said: "Taiwan has its wonderful scenery, but it's a place not friendly to us. There are obstacles everywhere for the physically challenged."

  But when the team set out yesterday, escorted by lines of motorcyclists and volunteer workers on foot, participants said they were on a high.

  Lee Shih-yin (李世英), a newcomer to such events, was smiling all along the way. "I felt a bit anxious. But when I joined the training session last week rather late, I felt just a little nervous, too."
• Most Popular

  • 1

    Eurovision Song Contest triggers surge in betting interest

  • 2

    Barcelona crowned champions

  • 3

    Napoli close in on title despite Parma stalemate

  • 4

    Sinner cruises past Ruud, Gauff battles into final

  • 5

    Entertainers questioned amid military service furor