Seeing the bigger
need
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| Blind supporters of the Arema Football Club |
Few came alone to the birthday bash.
Pairs seemed mismatched, little kids and older men, mothers
and adult daughters, relatives and friends holding hands though not
side-by-side. More often one person was being led in front or steered from
behind with a shoulder grip.
They shuffled uncertainly into the hall even though the
welcomes were genuine, the seats prepared and the chocolate cream cake looked
splendidly yummy. All to celebrate the
tenth birthday of Pamitra, the association representing blind people in Malang.
Though lunchboxes were bakery-warm the invitees carefully
sniffed every banana-leaf package. Not
for freshness, but identification.
There was an energetic band with boisterous back-up singers;
the amplifier man ensured everyone within a kilometer knew a special show was
underway for some special people.
“Please don’t treat us as though we are stupid,” said former
educator Erni Suliati (left with mother Mestika). ”We may not be able to see like you but that doesn’t
mean we’re not capable. We can do more than just manual work.”
However in Indonesia there’s a tradition which slots the
blind into performing music or becoming a pijat
tunanetra a traditional masseur. Some seek a broader choice; Suliati, 38,
was an elementary school teacher before brain tumor surgery two years ago went
wrong and robbed her of sight.
“I can still care for my two children though I depend on my
mother, Mestika, to help me get around,” Suliati said. “I don’t blame anyone
for what’s happened. This is a test for
me.”
It was the same with other handicapped celebrants; whatever misfortune
had brought them to this point in life they faced the future with resignation,
frequently saying that their blindness was from God – so what could they do? It was a response that litigious Westerners
seeking someone or something to blame might find difficult to fathom.
Told of the situation in Australasia where the disabled are
paid a regular allowance and given access to special training and facilities,
the blind and their carers reacted not with envy or disbelief but wan smiles. This
was the stuff of fantasy, like trips to Mars.
“There are no guide dogs because Muslims are not allowed to
have dogs,” said helper Puji Rahayu. “Some people have canes but the sidewalks
aren’t suitable.” The smart sticks which
use sonar to warn of hazards would never stop pinging on Indonesia’s cluttered
and dangerous streets. Pedestrian crossing signals which beep to alert the
blind would be ignored by motorists.
So reliance has to be on other people. Rahayu only became aware
of the need when a neighbor turned blind.
So she started leading him to shops.
“I’m OK and have a good life and business,” she said. “When I understood
his situation I thought it was my responsibility to help.”
That man is Hendro Setiawan (right) and now head of Pamitra. His
wife is also blind; their two sighted children are committed to school so for
special events he calls on Rahayu.
“As a community we care for each other in many ways, though
it would be better with more government help and our own meeting place,” he
said. “We even organize futsal the
five-a-side indoor soccer.” (The ball makes a jangling sound and players shout
their intent).
Pamitra’s network includes becak (pedicab) drivers who are understanding and patient for some members
are doubly disabled like Anis Hidayati, 29. She was born blind and later turned
deaf. If her doctors know why, they haven’t told their patient.
Hidayati’s father died when she was three so she relies on
her stoical Mom Musyarofah (left). Now aged 60 the
position has reversed and she depends on the income her daughter earns through
massages using a table and training provided by the local government. Sometimes Hidayati makes Rp 30,000 (about US
$2.40) a day.
To be more independent and communicate with clients Hidayati
carries a card where the alphabet has been written in capital letters with the
shapes pricked out beneath, a home-made version of Braille. The sighted person
asks questions by holding Hidayati’s finger and touching the letters to spell
words.
Her mother bought a wrist watch with raised digits over the
numbers so she can tell the time. There are now handphones on the market with
similar markings.
“Everyone wants to be successful but my destiny is to a
masseur,” said Achmad Jazuli, 60. “I
hope that someone develops a device to tell the value of rupiah notes. I have to ask friends to tell me how much I
have.”
The principal hosts for the event were the local departments
of Social Welfare (Dinas Sosial) and
Tax (Dinas Pendapatan) backed by a
couple of small businesses. Malang Mayor Muhammad
Anton was expected but failed to front.
Dinas Sosial head Pipih
Trastuti said her agency was helping about 80 sightless people through training
courses and gatherings like the birthday party. “People should never
underestimate the handicapped,” she said. “The blind often have more acute
senses, like being able to smell and hear better than you and I.
“When you can’t see a face you have to rely on voice to
assess whether someone is friendly or otherwise. The blind identify me and my
staff from our footsteps.”
Around 1.5 per cent of the population has a serious sight
problem; that’s more than three million people. According to the World Health
Organisation about half the cases are genetically transmitted or the result of
accidents and diseases like glaucoma.
The rest are caused by cataracts. These can now be treated through relatively
simple surgery, but Pamitra head Setiawan said the cost of around Rp 7 million
(US $525) an eye was beyond the reach of most people at the party.
“What we also want is for society to change its mindset
towards the blind,” he said. “We can be
extraordinary if we get the right support.”
First published in The Jakarta Post 5 April 2017
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