Charitable society gives the disabled confidence

A middle-aged man crawling on hands and knees was among a group of people living with physical disabilities who turned up at the headquarters of the Syrian Society for the Physically Handicapped (SSPH), a local NGO. He made the painful journey because the society was distributing 50 wheelchairs in the capital, Damascus on Monday. SSPH is one of very few organisations in the country assisting the physically disabled. “Syria has some 120,000 physically disabled people out of a population of 17.7 million, and they need training, medical apparatus and job opportunities,” deputy chairperson of SSPH, Huda Homsi told IRIN in Damascus. She added that the disadvantaged group was in need of more assistance so they could be better integrated into society. “The handicapped are strong willed. We used to help my sister in her daily tasks, but she has become independent, she learnt computer skills and she is now a government employee and has a strong desire to continue her studies too,” Taha Yassin told IRIN, after receiving a wheelchair on behalf of his sister Foziyeh, 20. The disabled have little access to education and are consequently ill-equipped for any form of employment, he pointed out. “Unfortunately, the disabled are stigmatised in one way or another, they do not receive enough care and attention from society or even from their families. It's about time to break down the barriers and merge them into society,” Yassin added. Local donations are the main source of much needed finances for the SSPH as well as support from the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour (MoSAL) and some international organisations, Homsi said. But she added that with increased funds they would be able to reach out to more people. The society distributes up to 500 wheelchairs a year, while more than 300 disabled people receive medical apparatus and artificial limbs in the same period, Homsi explained. “Our services try and reach all citizens with disabilities throughout the country, both Arab and foreign residents.” The SSPH was established in 1991, its overall objective is to provide essential medical, social and psychological services to those who suffer from physical disabilities in order to make them more independent, Homsi explained. In addition, the NGO organises social and recreational activities, as well as offering educational and vocational opportunities for those with special needs throughout the country. “Moves such as this instill confidence, and ensure the social and economic well-being of people with disabilities,” she added.