Last week I was invited to visit at a facility in Kumano, Hiroshima where many people with handicaps learn art or make jewelry.
They spend the day there and have lunch there. They also have a big vegetable garden outside. I enjoyed meeting many people there. I talked with Yuko as she made jewelry, and Megumi took me to the garden to gather fresh veggies.
I was amazed to meet this man who does calligraphy with his foot. The word is that he is also a champion at Othello ( a chess-like game).
I had lunch there and it was quite filling. The staff and participants are all very friendly. Yuko gave me a beautiful glass magnet she had made. Yukiko gave me a hairpin. They will hold a bazaar on July 30th. I hope they can have some people come in spite of the coronavirus limitations.
Thanks for inviting me. I wish I had more to contribute rather than just listening. I know they have lots of exciting things planned. Excursions, BBQs, games and many other events. What can I do??
I was so glad to meet you all. One young woman who was there showed me a photo of her three-year-old daughter in kimono. She was so proud. I wondered what barriers she had to overcome to have a child in spite of her handicap. We often think that those with Down’s syndrome or other conditions won’t marry or won’t have kids. In so doing we deny them basic human rights, deny their sexuality.
A young man with cerebral palsy was being fed his lunch. Each person is unique with unique needs and abilities. The calligraphy artist had a body that seemed to be folded in half and unable to sit up, but he has made great efforts to draw and do other tasks that we take for granted. I was humbled to see him.
I hope to visit again, but I really want to think about what I could contribute, what I can do with everyone.
Thanks again for having me!
Baba's Kitchen 