Rudy (not his real name), 25 years old, is an orthopedically-impaired resident of the Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop (RSW). He finished Electronics at the National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) in 2008 before he worked in RSW as utility worker under the Philippine Airlines Sanitizing project.
Amidst his disability, he still performed his work diligently and assisted persons with disabilities (PWDs) like him. His co-workers described him as a helpful and principled person. Though he enjoyed serving, Rudy always dreamed to work outside the center and practice his skills in electronics. He wants to demonstrate that no amount of disability can stop the determination of a person.
“Akala ko hindi ko kayang makipagsabayan sa iba. Natatakot akong sumubok ng ibang bagay sapagkat natatakot akong i-regret lang ng mga kompanyang aaplayan ko. Buti na lang mayroon akong mga kasama sa center na nagpapalakas ng loob ko, (I thought I can’t compete with the able-bodied persons. I am afraid to try new things or find a new job because I did not want to be rejected. Fortunately, I was surrounded by wonderful people who supported and cheered me up).”
His determination and positive attitude was rewarded when he was finally hired as a service technician in an electronics service provider in November 2011. Now, he is still enjoying his work repairing various kinds of appliances where he earns additional income to provide for the needs of his two children.
According to Rudy, he will be always grateful to everyone who guided him on his journey, especially to the DSWD managed centers – RSW and NVRC, for the skills training and productive employment given to him.
“Kung hindi dahil sa kakayahang natutunan ko sa NVRC at RSW, siguro hanggang ngayon kinakaawan ko pa rin ang aking sarili dahil sa aking kapansanan. Salamat sa institusyong tulad nito na patuloy na nagbibigay ng pag-asa sa mga taong may kapansanan kagaya ko. (Without the skills and knowledge I have learned in NVRC and RSW, I think I am still having self-pity about my disability. Thanks to the institutions which continue to give hope to persons with disabilities like me)”
Cliché as it may sound, but Rudy once again proved that disability is not a hindrance to success. ###