Today in the afternoon we went to visit some of the descapacitados (disabled persons) who live in the San Pedro de Cebollar region. It was on the schedule, so I knew it was happening today. And I was a little anxious. I had no idea if this meant home visits, a school, or some kind of institution. What we actually saw surprised me.
Mensajeros de la Paz is a center for disabled persons, either intellectually or physically (or both), most of whom have been abandoned or neglected by their family. This is not a requirement nor a given fact, but most are in this location because their family could not or would not care for them. Currently the center has 8 girls and 12 boys. It is composed of multiple buildings with ample facilities for therapy and for the normal daily life of its rambunctious occupants. I don't think I have ever seen a home like this one before. Much bigger than any orphanage you can imagine, and seemingly much better equipped and prepared than most institutions and centers for the disabled in the United States. I was honestly shocked when we arrived because I expected something more like a hospital ward.
Today, we gave the boys check-ups, just like we have been doing at the schools, without the vision checks. They all live in a Spanish-style house, complete with kitchen, dining room, tv room, and an enclosed center region that is normally exposed to the elements. They do share rooms, but it seems that they spend most of their time out in the common areas. I don't think I would be stretching it much to say it's like a fraternity house in many ways, particularly in the atmosphere and comraderie between its occupants.
It's difficult for me to articulate how today made me feel. I was so nervous and apprehensive at the start, and I left laughing with a huge smile on my face. Even though la doctora explained that they have had problems with neglect and poor care, I could not help but feel glad for these lost souls, that they had a place to live and call mostly their own. There are many more things that have run through my mind and my heart, but they aren't exactly writable or expressable. So I will have to leave it at that.
Mensajeros de la Paz is a center for disabled persons, either intellectually or physically (or both), most of whom have been abandoned or neglected by their family. This is not a requirement nor a given fact, but most are in this location because their family could not or would not care for them. Currently the center has 8 girls and 12 boys. It is composed of multiple buildings with ample facilities for therapy and for the normal daily life of its rambunctious occupants. I don't think I have ever seen a home like this one before. Much bigger than any orphanage you can imagine, and seemingly much better equipped and prepared than most institutions and centers for the disabled in the United States. I was honestly shocked when we arrived because I expected something more like a hospital ward.
Today, we gave the boys check-ups, just like we have been doing at the schools, without the vision checks. They all live in a Spanish-style house, complete with kitchen, dining room, tv room, and an enclosed center region that is normally exposed to the elements. They do share rooms, but it seems that they spend most of their time out in the common areas. I don't think I would be stretching it much to say it's like a fraternity house in many ways, particularly in the atmosphere and comraderie between its occupants.
It's difficult for me to articulate how today made me feel. I was so nervous and apprehensive at the start, and I left laughing with a huge smile on my face. Even though la doctora explained that they have had problems with neglect and poor care, I could not help but feel glad for these lost souls, that they had a place to live and call mostly their own. There are many more things that have run through my mind and my heart, but they aren't exactly writable or expressable. So I will have to leave it at that.
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