Parents of differently-abled kids often worry about the future of their children. This is a concern that we share with anyone who has a friend or loved one tagged as a PWD or Person with Disability. PWDs can be subjected to discrimination, isolation, or even ridicule by people who do not understand their condition. But this shouldn’t be the case. If you want to help create a better future for our PWDs then you can start with a fresh perspective. As the South Star Drug campaign suggests, let’s #droptheprefix and recognize the abilities of our PWDs.
Over the past few years we have seen videos, memes, posts and awareness campaigns to help people with disabilities lead normal and productive lives. I would say that these campaigns are quite effective as people are now more conscious and able to deal with those who have physical, social, and psychological impairments. But as they say knowing is half the battle. We shouldn’t just stop at understanding and empathy especially when we can take action to provide opportunities for PWDs. Not just learning and growth opportunities, but also opportunities to lead normal and productive lives. This is why I am one with South Star Drug in dropping the prefix in word disability and focusing on the abilities of the differently abled sector of society.
South Star Drug has been collaborating with Project Inclusion Network (PIN) for the past three years to create job opportunities for PWDs. They currently have 23 PWDs employed by the company and still remains committed to their advocacy of helping people with special needs and promoting inclusion. This act has not just opened employment opportunities for PWDs but also provided them with a better quality of life. And now South Star Drug is launching the #droptheprefix campaign to show that PWDs can be productive members of society in different ways. For this campaign, South Star Drug, Project Inclusion Network, and Goodwill Industries teamed up to give us a glimpse of the artistic talents of the differently abled.
Artistic creations of select PWDs from Project Inclusion Network’s pool will be featured as designs for the Drop the Prefix Advocacy Bag which will be available at select South Star Drug Branches Nationwide. These bags can be purchased for only Php65 each. We got to see the paintings of the drop the prefix artists and they all looked great. I was particularly impressed with the “Inclusion is Possible” artwork of Maribeth, who happens to be deaf, and the “Wellness and Exercise” painting of Joaquin.
The #droptheprefix campaign is not just an awareness campaign for our PWDs. It also aims to raise funds for the training and development of differently abled individuals with potential in art. This Christmas Season you can add the Drop the Prefix Advocacy Bag in your list and give the gift of opportunity for our PWDs.
