“Being alone is not a reason to give up, hence, a challenge to face life and succeed,” says Michael Rosqueta, 32 years old, a multi-disabled person and is now working as helper in the Philippine Airlines Earphone Sanitizing Project of Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop of Department of Social Welfare and Development – National Capital Region (DSWD-NCR).
Michael was born in Tiwi, Albay and the eldest among the two siblings. At the age of five (5), they were abandoned by their father while his mother could not support them. Thus, he faced his hardships alone.
Having no family to support, Michael stayed with his friends and started to work at the age of 14 in different forms of labor. He went from one place to another to find a better job. He had odd jobs such as “sprayer” of sampaguita flowers, “carrots washer”, cigaretter vendor along highways and porter at the garments company at Binondo, Manila. Despite the distresses along his way and facing life with his own effort, he never thought of giving up.
In 2007, Michael decided to go back in Bicol and start a new life. He enrolled in a 2-year Automotive NCII course at the Computer Arts and Technical College in Legaspi, Albay. While studying, he worked as tricycle driver to support his basic and school needs. He shared, “Gusto kong magkaroon ng edukasyon kaya kahit mahirap pagsabayin, ginawa ko. Dahil sa hirap ng mga trabahong dinanas ko, nagkaroon ako ng karamdaman.Nag-umpisa na akong makaramdam ng pangangatog, nagpapasmado na ako at nanghihina na ang aking spinal cord.”
He was not able to finish his On the Job Training because he could no longer support his needs and he was already experiencing involuntary repetitive movements of head, unable to maintain steady posture and weakness of both upper extremities.
In 2011, due to persistence of his illness, he had undergone consultation at University of the East- Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center (UERMMMC) and was diagnosed with epileptic attack. His condition became worst so he went back in Manila to undergo Cranial MRI at University of Sto. Tomas and diagnosed with Olivo Ponto Cerebellar Atrophy or the loose of fine control of muscles and balance whose cause is unknown, a condition where in a part of the brain (cerebellum) is affected. His illness limits his physical capability and affected his speech and writing ability due to apparent tremor of upper extremities. Despite the diagnosis of his doctor, he remained positive in his life.
He eventually enrolled in Massage Therapy in Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on May 2013. “Gusto ko po na kahit hindi ako nakatapos ay magkaroon man lang po ako ng skills na maipagmamalaki ko at magagamit ko”, he said when he completed the course and received his certificate of training.
With his desire to keep on pursuing his dreams, he was referred by National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) to National Vocational Rehabilitation Center (NVRC) and acquired the computer operations skills. “Dito sa NVRC, tinanggap ako, nagkaroon ako ng pamilya at higit sa lahat, nagkaroon ako ng malaking tiwala sa sarili ko. Kahit nanginginig ako at nauutal dahil sa kondisyon ko, nagawa ko pa ring matuto at matapos ang kurso ko. Napakalaking bagay na natutunan ko ang mag computer upang sa ganoon ay hindi ako maging ignorante”.
After finishing his computer operations course, Michael was granted livelihood assistance from Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) worth Php3, 000.00. He used it as his starting capital in trading rice and fruits such as grapes and mangoes to NVRC and RSW staff. However, due to his mobility, he was not able to continue his small business.
In June 2016, Michael’s hardwork paid off and was blessed by an opportunity to be employed as helper of Philippines Airlines Earphone Sanitizing Project of Rehabilitation Sheltered Workshop.
“Sobrang tuwa ko po. Kasi sa wakas, magkakaroon na ako ng trabahong ligtas at sa DSWD pa. Na “tears of joy” pa ako. Sa kabila ng aking kalagayan, nagtiwala sila sa aking kakayahan. Mag-isa akong humarap sa aking buhay at nanatili akong matatag dahil gusto kong magtagumpay kahit ako ay may kapansanan. Sa lahat ng aking napagdaanan, wala akong hindi kakayanin,” he expressed as he shared his sentiments.
Michael who struggled much to make his life better is now full of aspirations. Despite of being alone and have disability, he never thought of giving up. Instead, he raised his head and dreamed for a brighter future. ### (Story by: Michelle C. Addatu, National Vocation and Rehabilitation Center)