Liberty

Persons building an
inclusive society

304.8
C 755 l

National Rehabilitation and Special Education Council (CNREE)

Liberty: Persons that Build an Inclusive Society
1 ed. Heredia, Costa Rica : CNREE, 2012.

Contents

78 p. : il. col.
ISBN: 978-9968-791-18-2
INDEPENDENT LIVING
PERSONAL AUTONOMY
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
LIFE STORIES
INCLUSIVE DEVELOPMENT
HUMAN RIGHTS OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS
PROJECT KALOIE
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION
JAPANESE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AGENCY (JICA)
BRUNCA REGION
COSTA RICA
I. ALVARADO VARGAS, ANDREA
II. VEGA ALVARADO, RANDALL
III. TITLE.

Research and writing:

Andrea Alvarado y Randall Vega
Photography:
Randall Vega, Proyecto Kloie Archive and Japan International Cooperation
Agency, JICA
Responsible Team:
Yoko Ishibashi, Proyecto Kloie Coordinator - JICA
Paula Arias, Proyecto Kloie Manager - CNREE
Collaborations:
Jose Blanco M. Information Management. CNREE
Marco Gutierrez. Brunca Area Coordinator. CNREE.
Santiago Blanco Ziga. CNREE Journalist.
Cover and Book Layout:
Jos Pablo Molina

Translated from Spanish:

Oscar Rivera

Under the auspices of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, JICA

First Edition : 2012
Proyecto Kloie
Consejo Nacional de Rehabilitacin y Educacin Especial
San Jos, Costa Rica.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means without the prior
permission of the publisher.

Introduction 4
Wendy
8
lvaro
16
Guiselle
20
Luis Hernn
28
Susana
36
Claudio
42
Hanna
48
Mainor
56
Santa Rosa
64
William
72
Mabel
78
Roberval
86
Adriana y Nayeli
92
Jos Miguel
100
Rosibel
106
Hernn
114
Aida
120
Luis Alberto
126
Marlen
132
Oldemar
140

Introduction
The right to participate in all aspects of society and to
make ones own decisions are part of the ordinary
life of every adult person wishing to do so, but this
does not happen always. Society must consider
that we, all persons, are different, we have different
needs and that, in general, this society was not built
so all persons are able to participate in it. This is a
situation that continuously repeats itself for persons
with disabilities in all the communities.
Upon these scenarios, joint and articulated altenatives
must be found, in order to build more inclusive
societies and where persons feel free to participate
in all social aspects.

PROJECT KLOIE
We all are fruits of the same land of the south
The government of Japan, based on a request from
the government of Costa Rica, initiated a technical
cooperation project, for 5 years and starting in
2007, called Project Kloie. From the beginning, the
National Rehabilitation and Special Education Council
was the Costa Rican counterpart, with the objective
of strengthening the interinstitutional coordination
and promoting disability policies. In general, Project
Kloie, more than a project, is a vision toward the
future trying to strengthen the social participation
of persons with disabilities in the Brunca Region of
Costa Rica.
The Project Kloie stated that its execution would be
base don the following expected results:

Strengthen
interinstitucional
and
intersectoral coordination and exchange
of information.

Strengthen the rehabilitation services.

Increase the job placement options for

persons with disabilities.

Promote the strategy of Community

Based Rehabilitation.

Facilitate the empowerment of persons

with disabilities.

During its 5 years of operation, the project performed

a series of actions to achieve the planed results.
This publication hopes to show the empowerment
process experienced by the persons involved in the
Project Kloie, under the philosophy that persons
with disabilities know their needs and, therefore,
they are in the best position for executing actions
to improve their environment and the quality of
their lives. In order to facilitate the empowerment
process, the project had to detect the persons with
disabilities of the Brunca Region, provide them with
training on diverse topics, organize gatherings and
seminars, leadership training, conduct social and
political actions, elaborate and develop projects,
and promote the creation of support groups, among
other actions.

EMPOWERMENT
Society has been thought and built based on
a series of paradigms from an ideal of person,
which it calls normal person or standard. The

social construct of an ideal of persons in relation

to the rest of persons, denies the existence of
human diversity. That is, it denies the reality that
we, all persons, are different. This paradigm is
responsible for social exclusion, prejudice and,
therefore, poverty for those persons who
do not adjust to the social ideal, among
them, persons with disabilities.
It is necesary to have a social change,
including human diversity and
promoting integral development
based on human rights. To consider
the situation with a human
rights approach, is to consider
if the rights of the persons are
being met and, also, it means
identifying the obstacles for
the integral development
of the persons. A society
respecting human rights
becomes an

inclusive society, meaning a better society for all

persons.
It is also necessary for persons with disabilities to
perceive themselves as persons with rights, and
who are able to contribute greatly to society. This
recognition means participating in the different
social aspects and generates changes in persons
with disabilities, their families, and society.
In essence, independence, the decision making
on their lives, active participation, strengthening,
and the presence of persons with disabilities, all
are part of a process we call empowerment. The
life stories contained in this book show
willpower, strength, training, and
support. Empowerment can
be a reality for persons
with
disabilities
and for all
persons.

Wendy
I am an activist
on the rights
of persons with
disabilities

Wendy is a leader of the movement of persons

with disability in Costa Rica. To be able to live an
independent life, the philosophy that motivates her,
Wendy understands that: it is to be free, to be able
to make my own decisions and be reponsible for
them, she tells us.
When she was 2 years old, Wendy was diagnosed
with muscular dystrophy. She began to use a cane
when she was in high school and, a few years ago,
she began using a wheelchair.
She is from Hojancha, Guanacaste, a province
of Costa Rica. Wendy is 38 years old and she is
very active defending the rights of persons with
disabilities.
Wendy likes to be involved with groups. In Hojancha,
she was a member of an association of persons
with disabilities called Seeds of Hope. There she
came in contact with the Costa Rican National
Rehabilitation and Special Education Council
(CNREE). They invited Wendy to participate in the
activities of Project Kloie. But there was an event
that changed her life.
Wendy participated on the contest and won a
scholarship for training on Independent Living in
Japan. She and other paticipants with disabilities
went to Japan for a month an a half and came back
to Costa Rica with the commitment of putting into
practice everything they had learnt. They also work
on expanding the Movement of Independent Living
and establishing the first center of this type in Costa
Rica.
Wendy and a group of participants of the training
program have been working on their goal for 5 years.
There is a Movement of Independent Living in Costa

10

Rica and a local one in Prez Zeledn, where the

first of this experience in Central American region
begins on 2012.
Wendy is always smiling, though she thinks being
a little bit timid. She speaks fluently and lively,

11

disabilities are capable of living independently.

We only need support, and in my case, personal
assistance, she tells us.
Wendy is the Secretary of the Board of Directors
of the National Movement of Independent Living.
She works everyday at the office they have in
Prez Zeledn. Also, she is completely involved
in promoting the Law of Personal Autonomy
of Persons with Disabilities in the Legislative
Assembly. This new law will enable persons with
extensive disabilities to receive, among other
things, personal assistance services supported
by the government. She and her group partners
organize forums to speak about this law: We
found out about the existence of the project and
began to support it.
and adds: I have been going up and down on
my wheelchair doing Independent Living activities
for about 6 years. Wendy is frequently invited
to provide training and to lecture at schools, high
schools, and universities. Either in Guanacaste or
here in San Isidro, I go to the places I am invited.
Though it does not seems like it, it is like a full time
job. You are always out somewhere promoting
Independent living, she says joyfully.
Wendy is very clear that her work is not only limited
to persons with disabilities: Our work is to change
society and promote a better perspective on persons
with disabilities. We work little by little, like the ants,
and we have not stopped in years.
She moved from her home in Guanacaste to live
by herself in Prez Zeledn for establishing the
Independent Living Center. I also came here to live
by myself, in San Isidro, to demonstrate persons
without disabilities and society, that persons with

12

Her personal empowerment process not only has

made Wendy less afraid to speak, but has improved
her general wellbeing. I feel much better in every
aspect. I used to be very timid and did not give my
opinion about things. Now I express my criteria and
I do not remain quiet, she tells us. Wendy shared
with us the following story in which she became
aware of how the changes in her were noticed by
others: I lady in Hojancha told me I looked different,
that my expression had changed. I was smiling and
speaking more. That was true, because when a
person feels free to say what that person thinks, it
changes the life of that person.
Wendy likes to talk a lot about human rights: It is
not that persons with disabilities have other rights.
There are the same human rights, but sometimes we
are not aware of them. As a law student she adds:
The legislation that we have now did not gave us
new rights, but stregthen the rights that we already

13

and changing everything, like the environment,

the social attitudes, and the way we are treated.
Nobody should be sorry for persons with disabilities.
Because we are empowered persons who know
that we are not requesting favors but demanding
our rights, she adds. She emphasizes the need
to rebuild family relationships, so there will be no
more overprotection of persons with disabilities.
We have to break those bubbles, without breaking
family relationships. That is what we want.
Wendy wants to become a lawyer and continue
working with persons with disabilities: I am going
to fight for our rights, because, for example, when I
see people requesting jobs at places that do not hire
persons with disabilities, because they think we are
less efficient, I get very mad. I need to know how to
better use the law to defend persons with disabilities
and put an end with this. That is why I am an activist
on the rights of persons with disabilities, she tells
us.

had as persons, and still are denied to persons with

disabilities. That is why, a fundamental part of her
struggle is to teach everybody about human rights:
Knowledge is power and we want more persons
with disabilities to become empowered, says
Wendy.

Wendy Barrantes Jimnez is working on the

creation of another Independent Living Center in
another region of the country and wants to publish
a book. But, above all things, she wants to continue:
sharing and working with her companions in this
mission.

For Wendy, the empowerment of persons with

disabilities also generates social changes: Society
changes as it sees us living independent lives. That
is, when we are able to live by ourselves, making
our own decisions and demanding our rights. They
will have to see us getting more and more involved

14

15

lvaro
The Costa Rican
Sign Language is
fundamental for
deaf persons

16

17

Alvaro was born deaf. Because of financial problems

his perents were not able to afford his secondary
school. He was only able to complete primary
school, but they did not have Costa Rican Sign
Language. He learnt lip reading and articulation.
Alvaro learnt Costa Rican Sign Language (LESCO)
with his friends and one of his great goals is,
not only to master it perfectly, but to achieve its
universal recognition for the education and culture
of deaf persons in our country.
Our main problem is that we cannot comuncate.
People do not know Costa Rican Sign Language
and they should give more importance to this
language. Alvaros words are correct. While
we are doing this interview, we are using a Sign
Language Interpreter, to make communication
possible and effective.
Society creates a communication barrier against
the deaf population. Persons who are deaf are
separated and excluded and, perhaps for this
reasons deaf persons tend to prefer to be and
communicate with other deaf persons.
Alvaro is a struggling person and with the help of
some courses at INA (National Learning Institute),
and having learnt a trade from his father, he works
sowing and and as a taylor. His hands have become
in the fundamental tools for his life, he works with
then and he communicates using his hands.
Alvaron became integrated to Project Kloie: We
participated in meetings, talking. I come to the office
to talk and help in anyway I can. We speak of topics
on persons with disabilities, of the supports, the
accessiblity, and the lack of communication with
deaf persons like me.
Alvaro is more involved with the community and

18

not just deaf community, but gets involved with

the whole community, and has also become
aware that he is a part of a group of persons with
disabilities.
Alvaro has had to overcome the fears to
communicate. He is promoting that other persons
come and start communicating with persons who
are deaf, and looking for people around him to
communicate also with him. Alvaro now knows
the communication is a right and, with this attitude
we all can communicate at some level with each
other.
Alvaro imagines his future work. Not just earning
money like a taylor, but also working for persons
with disabilities. So we all will be able to live free
and independently. A free life is a life without fear,
where you are able to work, and to know things.
Alvaro Valverde Barrantes is a person very secure
of himself: I am strong a centered, and demands
equal treatment, to be fair and inclusive with
persons with disabilities.

19

Guiselle

I have made...

She is an inspiration for many

things. She is a very active
person. Guiselle is very happy,
likes to dance and sing, but she is
also in a group that has made her
less afraid of being herself. She
motivates other persons to go out
of their houses and to participate
in the group.
Lisbeth, her sister

20

21

Guiselle is a happy woman who likes to comunicate

with others and has lived in Prez Zeledn all of
the 42 years of her life. She acquired her disability
because of Charcot-MarieTooth Disease, which
compromised the nerves
and muscles of her legs.
She uses a wheelchair.
She had always dreamt
of speaking in public, of
directing projects, and
communicating
with
others.
Guiselle
has
performed all these things.
Though
Guiselle
had
spent a great part of her
live inside her home, one
day she told her mother,
with who she lived, that
she wanted to work. Her
mother was afraid for
her daughters going out
and said no. But a was
fortunate to visit a store and I was very lucky to be
accepted by the owner when a told him I wanted
to work there. The first barrier that Guiselle had to
overcome was to learn a trade, to confront society,
and interact with other persons. She worked for that
store for 7 years. My work companions taught me
that: I was like the other persons, what was hard
for them was hard for me, and they did not treated
me differently because of my disability, she says.
That was the first step toward an independent life.
She began to recognize herself as a person with
disabilities, to work and assume control of her life.

22

Some years ago, she met the National Rehabilitation

and Special Education Council (CNREE) and the
Project Kloie. These initiatives provided Guiselle
with the tools she needed
to develop leadership. You
can tell it just by seeing
and speaking with her.
The training that she has
received has familiarized
her with her rights and
to gain knowledge about
Independent Living. Now
Guiselle participates in
training trainers activities.
She has focused the
knowledge acquired to
working with other persons
with disabilities and to
making social changes,
because: disability is in
the envirnoment. I am
capable of living a life just
like any other persons.
The limitations that affect
us come from the environment, because the disability
is in the environment. That is one of the topics she
likes to address in her training sessions. You can tell
that she speaks with passion and from the heart.
Guiselle talks freely. She is aware of her abilities and
that makes her more confident of herself, though she
recognizes that this was not always so with her: I
had to learn to speak in public. I use to be very afraid
before a microphone or on television and conducting
training sessions. Now I now how to handle things
better and I made it, she says.

23

The Movement of Independent Living of Prez

Zeledn has been working for several years.
Here they have an office, at the headquarters of
the National Rehabilitation and Special Education
Council. First in Central America, the Independent
Living Center will be established in this year of
2012. There are other examples of Independent
Living Groups, like the ones operating in Japan and
other countries.

Guiselle is married to Mainor, another person with

disabilities and both are personally commited with
the Independent Living Movement. They live by
themselves in their home near the center of Prez
Zeledn. A person has to live in a place where she
or he is able to move in and out easily and live
independently, she adds.
She is always very active and is the President of the
Movement of Independent Living of Prez Zeledn.
She and Mainor work all day in this project: I do
not have much free time. See, we my husband and I
head to the office at 7 a.m. and we return home late
in the afternoon. Sometimes we have to deliver letters
or visit persons with disabilities, and if there should
be an additional or an emergency meeting, there goes
our free time, adds Guiselle.
She is very happy with her life, that also has become
evident. Guiselle has gone through a process that

24

has demanded dedication, time, and effort. Years

ago, I used to think that I was not good for many
things and I was much afraid. Some years ago she
participated on a Course on Microenterprises at the
INA (National Learning Institute). I was surprised
because I obtained very high grades. Now I think that
I am very intelligent and I have been able to make
many things. I would not change the life I have for
the one I used to live before, says Guiselle with a
contagious self of pride.
Her work is not easy: It is not easy to work on the topic
of disabilities. For years we have been conditioned to
be sorry for persons with disabilities and think that
these persons should be inside the homes and being
overprotected by the family. But Guiselle knows that
it is possible to change those incorrect perceptions
and that the participation of the group must be
directed to visiting other persons with disabilities.
She is always inviting persons with disabilities to
come to group training and other activities. She is
also a living example of the things she teaches and
the experiences she shares.
Guiselle is a good negotiator and affirms that society

25

is making very slow changes toward a real inclusion

of persons with disabilities: That is because are there,
negotiating, making ourself visible, demanding our
rights, she tells us. Now, she and her companions
are leading access toward social change, including
the municipality of the zone, the commercial
community, and the general public: Because each
day we go out to work we find some obstacle and
have to do some negotiation. Some of those obstacles
and negociations are part of real changes that are
needed. I hope we can be understood.
The society is placing persons with disabilities in
anonymity and making these persons invisible, by
not recognizing their rights. Guiselle is working to
change that injustice: I have heard persons saying
why do we have to make this ramp or place and
elevator if they are not going to use them. Well that
is just the point, we do not go to many places
because there is no accessibility. As more and more
places become accessible, more and more persons
with diabilities will come out and use these needed
changes. Then we all could go everywhere. Now
she is going everywhere she is able to reach and,
should she encounter places that are not accessible,
she will begin to point out the problem and start
demanding changing attitudes and structures. Now
she is leading a procces of making or fixing sidewalks
to be accessible also for persons with disabilities in
Prez Zeledn. She knows that this is something
that will be done little by little, but she is here to
stay. Guiselle will remain firm until this accessible
sidewalks are built.
Guiselle dreams and wants that persons with
disabilities achieve the experience and the knowledge
similar to the one she has. She wants them to be
happy, that they are able to go out into society and

26

live independently. So that they make the best from

life and that their goals become reality. Mainor and I
live by ourselves be cause we want to and are happy
doing so. Also, we have demonstrated society that
yes we can, she adds.
Guiselle also dreams with a State recognizing the
need to provide support to cover the cost of personal
assistants for persons with disabilities as a right.
Guiselle Cspedes Granados emanates hope and
strength. She has established for her self the goal
of working for other persons with disabilities, and it
will continue to be so because, in order to improve
the quality of life of persons with disabilities efforts
must be directed toward having an inclusive and
fair society. She will continue working everyday to
meet that goal: Because I have a dream and until
now I have made my dreams come true, she says
laughing.

27

Luis
Hernn
I am 100%
happy
I am proud of him and I have seen
him achieving many goals. I think
he is a very capable person. I go
out and, when I meet persons with
disabilities, I tell them about the
association that my son belongs
to and about the importance of
participating in a group.
Mara Elena Fallas, his mother

28

29

with his professional training practice at a company

that was building the pineapple packaging plant in
Gupiles. He will never forget the date of October
12, 2003. That day Luis Hernn went with some of
his friends of work to a river for a swim. There he
jumped into the water from a clift and the impact
caused an injury that left him with paralisis.
From the time of his accident, Luis Hernn began
a long struggle for his life. The first challenge was
to be able to breath on his own, without needing a
respirator. His fighting spirit helped him to achieve
that immediate goal. Then, having been diagnosed
with complete paraplegia, beyond this diagnosis, his
inner strength allowed him to be able to sit and gain
some mobility of his upper body.

Luis Hernn is a young, brave, and happy worker.

He was born in Cartago, Costa Rica, but has lived in
different zones of the country, due the work of his father,
needing to move his large family to several regions. He
is the son of a farmer and has 6 brothers and sisters.
Luis Hernn and his family have been living in Ro
Claro, in the southern zone of the country. He had
to discontinue his secondary education studies to
contribute to livelihood of his home. So he began
working, as a farm worker, at a palm tree plantation
with his father.
Sometime later, his father, Hernn, motivated his
son: to continue studying to have a better life. Luis
Hernn enrolled in the National Learning Institute (INA)
to study welding and, then, he moved to San Jos
to become a Technitian in Metal Construction. He
was able to complete his formal studies and began

30

The limited financial conditions of his family and the

traveling difficulties, because his family lives in an
area of difficult access, did not allowed Luis Hernn
to continue his rehabilitation process. Having a
disability was very hard at first. I could not go out
and all my dreams were shattered. You begin thinking
that you have become an obstacle for the family and
a burden for society. Now I know that those thoughts
were incorrect, says Luis Hernn.
Mara Elena, Luis Hernns mother, learnt at the
hospital that there was an association of persons
with disabilities in Golfito, so Luis began to know and
communicate with the National Rehabilitation and
Special Education Council (CNREE) . Sometime later,
Luis Hernn was invited to a Project Kloie activity in
San Vito de Coto Brus. In order for me to attend to that
meeting, my father lifted me up and carried me on foot,
on a dirt road, for about 500 meters. But we got there.
It was the first time that a heard about Independent
Living. At first, Luis Hernn thought that Independent
Living was something impossible for him and, later,

31

another person, worried the family. Yet, this whole

experience contributed much to the independence
that Luis Hernn enjoys know.
Upon his return, Luis Hernn was eager to work with
other persons with disabilities. He has more energy
and wants to share everything that he has learnt.

independence became a reality in his life.

The organizers and participants of that first activity
motivated Luis Hernn to go to Japan to receive
training on Independent Living. Luis remembers: I
said yes, but also thought that it could not be possible
for me. Arrangements were made and Luis Hernn,
together with other persons with disabilities, was
able to go to Japan for a month and a half. This trip,
the experiences, and the training changed his life: It
made me accept myself as a person with disabilities. I
was able to discover that a could do many things from
a wheelchair. I met persons living independent lives
and with more severe disability than mine. That they
all we enjoying life, smiling, and singing karaoke in a
party. Luis Hernn came to realize that he could be
happy and nothing was vetoed for him. When going
to Japan, it was the first time that he experienced
having a personal assistance. That is, being assisted
by somebody different from a member of his family.
The fact that Luis Hernn would be assisted by

32

So, Luis Hernn began to travel on the road of no

return toward personal development. He has become
involved with the Movement of Independent Living
and thinks this is very important: Many persons with
disabilities that I had the opportunity of meeting have
become examples of things useful for me and they
motivated me to continue. Also, I realized that you
can be an example for others and, thus, you motivate
other persons with disabilities to continue building
their own lives, he says. This personal sharing and
support have been the keystones that have enabled
Luis Hernn to break barriers.
I have learnt many things, like speaking and making
others respect our rights, without reacting aggresively.
I also have become more patient and more capable
of controlling my anger with respect to the way we,
persons with disabilities, are treated by others, Luis
Hernn tells us.
Luis Hernn is a person with great control of himself
and is very mature. He tells us that now he is speaking
more. The first year after my accident was a year of
affliction and uncertainty, fear, and anger. I used to
be affected by the way other persons looked at me
and that made me feel mad. But, now, I do not care
if persons stare at me. Sometimes they even admire
me.
Luis Hernn is an independent person an he
is very proud of it. For about a year now, he has
been living by himself, with a personal assistant,

33

in a small apartment. The most important thing is

positive thinking and to struggle for your goals. He is
finishing his nineth year of high school and he has just
completed a course on criminology. He is also taking
leadership courses at the National Learning Institute.
He thinks that the more he knows about training, the
better trainer he can become, particularly on topics
of the Movement of Independent Living. At present,
he is a member of a local association of persons with
disabilities and of a church youth group.
This young man knows that he is part of a social
change process being promoted by persons with
disabilities. Changes are taking place everywhere
there are persons with disabilities struggling for them.
It is sad that many persons only care for themselves
and not for others, he adds. On the other hand, Luis
Hernn believes that persistence goes a long way in
generating social awareness: I remember going for
a long time to this place where the make photocopies
and had to stay outside, because there were to two
steps at the front entrance. One day, the owner told
me: I am going to fix this. I continued going to this place
until the owner built a ramp, allowing all persons with
mobility difficulties to come in all the way. This change
was motivated by the frequent visits of a person
in a wheelchair to a place that needed to become
accessible. We were the ones showing that changes
were needed. That is the essence of this young man:
Perseverance, optimism, and negotiation.
Luis Hernn is full of dreams. He is going to get
married in a few months and he hopes to be a good
husband and to continue working: Now I work more
than before. I go to every meeting and I have many
projects, he tells us.
His family has been very important for his development
and they have supported Luis Hernn without

34

imposing limitations on him. It has been helpful for

my family to come to the meetings with me. These
meetings and talking with persons involved in the
field of disability made my family aware that, persons
in similar conditions as I am can achieve great things
and that they have to give us the opportunity.
Luis Hernn describes himself as a struggling and
brave man. He takes risks and accomplishes his
goals. He hopes there will be a strong Movement
of Independent Living. He sees himself going to all
parts of the country to provide training and bringing
more persons for training on Independent Living.
Luis Hernn also wants to become a lawyer to work
for persons with disabilities.
Luis Hernn Cambronero Fallas is a 100% happy
man. I am living the best stage of my life. Even before
acquiring my disability, I did not feel myself as being
a complete person as I feel now. I feel happier now.
His life is an example of hope and struggle.

35

Susana
Taking
Control of
My Life

She has made a 180 degree

turn. Before if it were not with us
on our car she would not go out.
Now things have changed, she
calls a taxi or goes on a bus, by
herself She has developed too
much.

Flor Mara Castro,
Susanas mother
36

37

in human rights. I want to work with persons with

disabilities for the rest of my days.
Susanas first training was on November, year 2010.
Her first surprise was to be able to talk with persons
having similar conditions and sharing experiences
with them. She had never had the opportunity of
doing this before. There she discovered that: Having
a disability is just a physical limitation, nothing else,
and that does not prevent you from realizing your
dreams or from being a woman too.

How many persons live with their disability as if it

were a disease? That is how Susanas life was until
about a year ago. She used to think that her disability
was something bad and that it prevented her from
living a normal life. She would not go out much
and her friends, all without disabilities, were going
to places not accessible for her. Then, her life was
limited to her home, her school, and the hospital.
That was before knowing about the Independent
Living Movement thanks to Project Kloie.
Susana is 19 years old. She has spina bifida and
uses a wheelchair. She has always been very timid
and spent most of the time alone in her house, but
that has changed. She says: I no longer consider
my disability as a limitation for going out, for having
friends, and having fun. I now know I am able to do
all of those things without limitations.
She wanted to study psychology, but the university
was not accessible. So she had to change of idea.
The second option was law. She says: A few months
after entering the university I joined the Independent
Living Movement and, there, I found the real meaning
for me wanting to study law. Now I want to specialize

38

To realize herself as an integral human being, knowing

her rights and defending them, not only for herself but
for the rest of the community, has provided her with
another meaning for her life. Now I am happier. What
impressed me more in my life was meeting persons
with disabilities. Suddenly I came to realize that I was
not alone. That disability was not something bad or
that had to be suffered. Instead, it was a motivation
for helping persons with disabilities, particularly those
that are secluded inside their homes like I used to be.
In a short time, Susana became an empowered
woman and has her own words to define it: For me it
has been like taking something that belongs to you, but
that you did not know you had it. Like puting outside
something you had inside, an ability that one has, but
because of lack of knowledge you had not mastered
it. What Project Kloie has done training persons to
discover their abilities using acquired knowledge.
Susanas progress has been very fast. The persons
who had been in the Movement for a longer
time, integrated her completely into the ongoing
Independent Living activities. Within three months
she was receiving Peer Counselling training. That
also meant, to spend eight days living in a hotel in
San Jos with the constant support of a Personal
Assistant. She says that experience changed her life.

39

Peer Counselling is a system in which two companions

in similar conditions Exchange knowledge and
experiences. Many persons with disabilities do not
know how to express themselves. They have not
had a chance to release their fears and concerns. And
beween two persons who are in similar conditions
this should better be done. The objective is to rebuild
human relationships and to improve ones self-esteem.
I am the best example that this has worked.
Her priority at this moment is to finish her career
and moving to live by herself; not just for the need
of becoming independent, but because it is also a
political action.
Susana explains it this way: It is part if our personal
Independent Living proyect. I am a leader in the group,
and to be able to work and provide example to others
I must also life with an independent lifestyle.
Susana Sols Castro has taken control of her life.
And with her example she is inviting all of us to do
the same, particularly persons with disabilities. She
adds: We must not believe the words from people
who say you have to be sorry for persons with
disabilities, or that we should be at home waiting for
things to be provided to our hands. We all must get
out and demand reasonable conditions to be able to
do whatever we want with our life.

40

41

Claudio
Dbn gave a
new sense to
my life

42

43

Claudio had a traffic accident. He has the victim of

a drunk driver. The accident caused Claudio severe
physical and mental injuries. 10 years have gone
by and, now, he feels he
is recuperating. He lost a
leg, not his spirit for living.
Since very early in life,
Claudio learnt to defend
himself and has confronted
many challenges. First,
he worked at the banana
plantations, and even as
an evangelical preacher.
Working has meant one
of the most important
things in his life. After
the accident, I was not
able to work again. Work
made me happy. Then, I
questioned if my life had
any meaning. But God
provides meaning to all
that happens in ones
life. Afterward, joining
the group and seeing
my friends working, meeting, having fun, and
participating, I concluded that this is what God had
for me, says Claudio.
Now Claudio is 52 years old, is receiving a disability
pension, and works in the Dbn Association. This
is a group organized to defend the rights of persons
with disabilities of the Trraba native community.
He has been participating in the training activities
of Project Kloie. Claudio says: There are persons
who are interested in knowing the law and to follow
it. Persons need to be empowered in these topics.

44

We have to find ways of delivering this message to

other persons with disabilities.
This brave man knows
that the empowerment
process is like the fuel to
gain a new sense for their
lives. We have to know
the law, the opportunities
it gives us, how to put
it into prctice, how to
exert pressure on the
government to enforce
the correct participation of
persons with disabilities,
to allow them to socialize
with
the
community,
and to make sure that
these persons are equally
included
in
society,
Caudio tells us.
Claudio lived most of his
life as a person without
disabilities.
Now
he
knows
how
persons
with disabilities are made
invisible, mistreated and, above all, how they are
not understood. We are not reaching the world of
persons with disabilities and we ignore how they
can motivate us. First, because we do not respect
persons with disabilities and we do not value them.
God is very important in Claudios life. It was
thanks to a religious group of the city of Heredia,
that Claudio began to live again after his accident.
The members of that group motivated him to move
on forward, to believe in God, and to overcome the

45

difficulties that he was going through. God gives us

life for something important in this world. Knowing
this, you begin to understand how persons have a
God given value. We have to respect and value all
persons. We believe that persons need a change of
heart: respect and love others.

in their homes. In these cases, we work with the

familiy and, little by little, the family starts to join our
work, says Claudio. At present, Claudio is actively
training and empowering other native communities
nearby, where there are more than 20 persons with
disabilities.

Claudio also applies his love of God to his work in the

Dbn Association: Empowerment is like a blessing
to be able to work and make this news to others.
We know there are persons with disabilities hidden

Claudio Rivera Gmez promises to continue working

for persons with disabilities the rest of his life. He
wants to share with others the contributions of the
Dbn Association: A new sense for his life.

46

47

Hanna
On the
road toward
indepenence

48

49

Hanna is a 26 year old woman who was able to

complete her secondary and university studies. She
graduated as a preschool
teacher.
Hannas
muscular
dystrophy began when
she was 8 years old,
causing her much pain
and difficulties to walk. I
remember being able to
walk by myself to go to
school and high school,
she says. She began to
have more serious health
problems when she was
on her fourth year of
university. Hanna began
to experience frequent flu
attacks which worsen into
becoming pneumonia and
respiratory complications.
Hanna is from Altamira de
Volcn de Buenos Aires, in
the southern part of Costa
Rica, but she and her
family have been living in Prez Zeledn for about 14
years. Her muscular dystrophy has worsen with time,
together with an scoliosis that presses against her
lungs. She has had 3 respiratory attacks in less than a
year and a half. Thus, the doctors decided to perform
a permanent tracheotomy. In other words, Hanna has
a cannula on her trachea and, when she needs to
talk, she has to cover it with her finger so her voice
can be heard. Hanna is very worried about night time,
because it is when she has more difficulties breathing
and she has to use an artificial respirator.

50

Hanna used to walk until she fell climbing up a step.

She fell and that fall affected her legs, so she had to
start using a wheelchair. At
present, she is in therapy
to regain mobility on her
legs. Little by little I am
beginning to walk. I am
able to take some steps
using a cane and doing
my best to walk again,
she tells us.
Hanna
is
a
woman
who maintains a serene
expression and a smile.
She says that, even during
the most difficult health
crises, she has kept her
emotional stability, and this
is related to her spiritual
growth and permanent
optimism.
I
cannot
complain about anything.
My life has awakened in me
abilities that a did not think
a had, she tells us. She
likes to paint on ceramics. Hanna sometimes paints
with her mother and earns some money. Hanna
has never been depressive and has confronted her
health problems wisely. She continues studying and
working hard.
A few months ago, Hanna joined the Independent
Living Project , thanks to another person with
disabilities, Luis Alberto, who traveled a long distance
on his wheelchair and under the sun, to speak with
her. She remembers: When Luis came, I was very
suprised at seeing him dripping sweat and tired.

51

That made me feel that he and his group really were

concerned about other persons. That motivated me
to join the group, says
Hanna.

the afternoon. Hanna also takes time to visit some

members of the group and they have a good time.
She keeps herself busy
and also has a lot of fun.

Since Hanna had her

tracheotomy, she would
not go out by herself and
she was scared to visit
places without her medical
equipment (the respirator,
oxygen, etc.). Also, she
is very worried because
there is not a hospital near
her home. She was invited
by Kloie and the CNREE
to participate in the National
Rehabilitation
Seminar
in San Jos: It was
challenging for me to move
from here to the capital and
sleep at a hotel. It was a
great experience. Hannas
quest for independence
had begun. She started to
meet other persons with
disabilities and she learnt how fears are big obstacles
for happiness.

My greatest desire is to be
completely
independent,
physically,
emotionally,
and
financially.
She
is working toward that
independence,
which
means for her to control
her own life and make
her own decisions. Hanna
wants to work to pay for
her things and, also, she
wants to travel.

Little by little, Hanna began to visit the office of the

Commission of Independent Living, at the CNREE
(National Rehabilitation and Special Education Council,
the government institution in charge of disability
matters in Costa Rica) facilities of the Brunca Region.
That was a big achievement for her. At the beginning,
I visited the office for a few hours with my sister, who
is also my assistant. Now I go there by myself and
work as a secretary, from 9 in the morning to 3 in

52

Like many other persons

with disabilities, Hanna
finds it very complicated to
depend on other persons:
Generally,
persons
providing assistance to us
tend to make decisions for
us or do things they think

Independent Living is a project sponsored by

Kloie and it is being developed by persons with
disabilities. This project is also supported by a
commission of persons with disabilities. Thanks
to this commission and to the training provided by
JICA in Japan, a group of persons with disabilities
established, here in Prez Zeledn, Costa Rica, the
first Independent Living Center of Central America.

53

we cannot do for ourselves.

This young woman is overcoming her fears thanks
to her personal motivation and to the support and
understanding from the Movement of Independent
Living. With reassurance and affection from this group,
Hanna has defined a goal for herself: To become
independent.
She tells us: It feels good to know that there are
persons like me who have overcome similar difficulties
and who know about what I go through. It makes me
feel more confident in myself. Now I feel that people
listen to me and that I am important for them... now
my life is more fun.

54

Work makes Hanna more alive. She defines challenges

for herself and feels less sick. Her life struggle has made
her mature as a person: I do not complain anymore
because I have found that I have many abilities that
other persons do not have and I have many things to
share with others. I feel happy for having skills that I
can use.
Hanna wants society to change and that she be
considered a person: I do not want persons to stare
at me as if a was a strange bug.
Hanna Godinez Arias is a fighter. She struggles for
independence and happiness.

55

Mainor
Yes we can

56

57

He remembers the United States presidential

campaign and says that an slogan used there has
served him in his entire life: Yes we can. I Japanese
trainer used to repeat it frequently and now it has
become the slogan of his life.
Mainor divides his life in three stages and all have to
do with his disability. That which happened before
reaching the age of 17 years old, defines him as: What
other persons saw in me. The second stage of his life
begins on April 12, thirty years ago, in a pond near his
house in Ro Claro. It happened on a regular Sunday,
like when many youngsters go for a swim, on a hot
day in the south of Costa Rica. It is a story told many
times, someone jumps into the water from a rather
elevated place and damages the vertical vertebrae. The
neighbors that came to help caused more damage.
My life gave a complete turn. I was used to jump, run,
and to do all those things and, suddenly, I am lying flat
on a bed, not being able to eat, not even to hold a glass
of water by myself. You begin to feel that the whole
world falls on you. Mainor spent the first 20 years of
disability in a state of depression and went in and out
of rehabilitation. He always tried to make progress, but
often experimented failure and frustration.
It was not until 8 years ago that Mainor was able to
stand up and, then, he was physically and emotionally
able to take a few steps again. Also, he was able to
attend the Catholic Group of his community. The third
stage of his life starts here. It was the time of his most
important transformation. Being able to return to the
ecclesiastic groups motivated him to love life again.
And, as he starts to become trainer of persons, he
begins to be the Mainor we all know. That is, someone
who recognizes that he has a disability and an activist
for the human rights of persons with disabilities.
In the year 2008, Mainor starts to visit and learn about

58

the National Rehabilitation Council and Project Kloie,

which fostered his personal empowerment and were
his first contacts with the rights and duties of persons
with disabilities. These preliminary experiences
helped him to discover many things he can share
with others. At the beginning, many of us said it was
too difficult, but: Yes we can. And now, Mainor is
working hard providing training, political activism,
and teaching persons in the street about the hopes
and struggles of persons with disabilities.
We have to achieve that society considers us as
persons, and not like a friend of mine said rare bugs,
particularly those of us moving on the street, in a group
of wheelchair users. We have to change the mentality
in all Costa Rica and beyond our frontiers. Now we
are focusing on our patio, he says. Mainors work
deals mainly with two specific objectives: to establish
and operate the Independent Living Center, which
is the first experience of this type in Central America
and, also important, to obtain legal recognition for
Personal Assistants. Personal assistance has become

59

Zeledn. He moved to Prez Zeledn, to work here

on the leadership process and is the President of the
Movement of Independent Living at the national level.
He explains: These things developed and, without
realizing them completely, they become your life.
Sometimes I talk with my life and we get a bit scared
about what we have been able to achieve and the
things we need to work more on.

one of the mayor tools enabling many persons with

disabilities to live independently.
Mainor tells us that yes, it is posible to come out from
depresin. Yes we can... it is possible to struggle
and make progress. Yes we can... it is possible to
dream and make those dreams come true and you
can love. Therefore, Project Kloie not only brought
him empowerment and knowledge, but here he met
someone with who he now shares his life. When he
joined the group, Mainor met Guiselle, a person living
with a motor disability. They both know that besides
love, their relationship is an example of how persons
with disabilities are able to have a completely functional
life. We, the persons with disabilities who started this
project, have a great challenge. We have to be examples
for each other. As it happen to me, when some people
learnt that Guisselle and me were going to get married.
They said we were crazy and they asked who was
going to live with us. We have one year of being married
and living like any other couple, he adds.
When Mainor began to work for Project Kloie, his idea
was to remain in Ro Claro. But things changed with
his training trip to Japan and, little later, with falling
in love with Guiselle, who had been living in Prez

60

Mainor and Guiselle provide each other support when

they go out in street and when they perform domestic
chores. They stick together, like he says. They are
also very much aware of the reality of the persons
with disabilities struggling and confronting the difficult
challenges for achieving Independent Living. That is
why, among other things, they support the Law for
the Autonomy of Persons with Disabilities, including
personal assitance as a right, that has been presented
to the Costa Rican Legislative Assembly. Many
persons with disabilities need personal assistants. A
person without disabilities is able to get up from bed
by himself, takes breakfast without any difficulty, and
takes a bath and gets dressed in 10 to 15 minutes,
but a person with a disability may need 1 hour. I need
about half an hour just to get dressed, because it is hard
for me to move my feet and my hands, he told us.
Mainor wants to demonstrate that having a personal
assistant constitutes an answer to a basic need.
Personal assistance is a provision to enable persons
with disability to exercise their right to an independent
life, like any other person of the society.
At present, about six persons are working on the
Independent Living Project, but Mainor and his
companions know that they need more commited
persons. Persons with disabilities must be awaken
and motivated, like others with and without didabilities
did with me. Any person with proper training is able

61

to contribute. We who live with the disability and, for

instance, are using a wheelchair are in a better position
to make the other person who uses a wheelchair more
aware of moving on forward like we do.
Challenges can be introduced and improve little by
little. You start working on changing your mentality,
then new ideas have to be introduced, litlle by little,
but in a continued process to the familiy. Ther families
who have to make changes and adjustments toward
the present and future situation of their members with
disabilities and all the other members of the family.
On the other hand, we have to promote the mayor
and smaller changes on the environment. We must
continue strengthing and expanding the process. Here
too the strategy is to work little by little, with stops.
Mianor expresses the change process with one of his
examples. When we arrive here, they we only sending

62

a bus with a ramp each week. We began a process

of change with those involved and now we have the
support of two permanet buses providing accessible
transportation everyday. Another example of a changed
motivated by us, happend with the Municipality. The
whole municipality buildind did not have accessible
bathrooms adequate for the needs of persons with
disabilities. We visit them, we introduced ourselves and
to talk to the persons incharge of the building, explaining
the importance of accessility for the whole building and
all the problems that could be solve and the benefits that
could also begained. Then, in less then a month after
our visit, there was an accessible bathroom.
Mainor Ramrez Vargas knows that: Yes we can. He
and his friends know that their work is an inspiration
for many persons: Take our samples, learn from us,
so other persons with disabilities are able to live better
than we do, adds Mainor.

63

Santa
Rosa

I have become
independent of
myself
64

65

Santa Rosa reflects everything with the expression of

her face, like happiness, sadness, anger, emotion...
all that she feels is evident, perhaps that is why her
words sound more convincing.
Santa Rosa is from the native community of Trraba.
I am a native woman, though she also recognizes
the mixed race contribution of her mother, who is
from Panam.
When she was a 3-year old girl, Santa Rosa contracted
polio, and that produced a 70% cognitive disability
on her: But I have always struggled and we have
been able to move on forward. She is aware of her
disability and the difficulties that she has confronted,
but she also knows about her achievements.
This 50-year old woman lived with her steady
partner for 18 years and they begot 3 sons and
a daughter. Her youngest son is 17 years old.
Her partner died 15 years ago. He got asthma
and died. You have to treat asthma with natural
medicine, she tells us with a mixture of sadness
and concern on her face.
Just like you see me here, I am a woman who likes to
work very much. I cultivate coriander, beans, radish,
and everything to sell. I like to work to provide for
my family and to work with other companions with
disability, says Santa Rosa with a big smile.
Santa Rosas life has been difficult, but not because
of her impairment or her limited financial resources,
but because she has lived in a neighborhood, in
a community, and in a country that has not care
about including persons with disabilities in societry.
Santa Rosa could have been born in any other part
of the country and the story of her life would not
have been much different.

66

Discrimination and mistreatment have been

frequent in Santa Rosas life. She had been quiet
about her personal pain, and now she expresses
herself loudly, 4 years ago, I said no more and I
became independent of myself. People used to make
fun of me, of the way I walk, of the way I talked.
Now I do not tolerate those things any more.
Santa Rosa has struggle for everything. Society
demands her to demonstrate that it can be done,
that she understands, and that she is a capable
person. And that is what she has done.
She struggled and was able meet all the requirements
for the Government Housing Program to built her a
house. Here she receives visitors affectionately.
Santa Rosa became involved with Project Kloie
several years ago. According to her, I feel that
persons with disabilities have made progress.

67

She has been actively participating in the Projects

activities and training during the last 4 years. Also,
Santa Rosa has been
a member of the
Dbn
Commision.
Operating
in
the
Trraba community,
this is an organized
group of persons with
disabilities and their
families.
Among
the
main
objectives
agreed
by
the
Dbn
Commission,
we
find that providing a
source of financial
income for persons
with disabilities is
very important. They
established a tamales
factory (tamales are a
local type of cooked
food made with corn
paste,
meat,
and
vegetables). In order
to be able to operate the factory, Santa Rosa and her
companions received a complete training course
on food handling at the Costa Rican Learning
Institute. They also learnt to make jelly. All of these
things make her feel very proud.
In the zone where Santa Rosa lives, persons with
disabilities do not have opportunities to study,
because there are no accessible educational
facilities. Santa Rosa has always wanted to learn
how to read and write. Now her dream will come

68

true. She is very excited because she will be able

to joy a program for persons with disabilities by the
National Institute on
Women.
For
Santa
Rosa,
Independent
Living
is being able to go
out and be free: If
you are a person with
disabilities, that does
not mean they have
to keep you locked
up in your home. We
should not be hidden
away from people.
They must give us the
opportunity to exercise
our rights. A lady in
Buenos Aires told me
she was worried that
I walked alone up and
down,
everywhere
by myself. I told her
I have rights as you
do.
Becoming aware that
she is entitle to rights and discovering that there
is the Law 7600 for persons with disabilities,
have been the main reasons why Santa Rosa
made changes. She says: I have learnt a lot
about my rights. She learnt to use the law as a
weapon against the discrimination she constantly
experiences, then she told us: People see me
using my Social Security Card and are surprised
when a get to be attended first in the line. That
is because I have rights and I know how to use

69

empowered. She is not afraid to speak in public.

She enjoys talking to people and being heard. She
likes to share her thoughts, recite poetry as a way of
thanking people. She also likes dancing and sharing
with persons with disabilities.
I am one of those persons who likes to help others,
says Santa Rosa speaking about continuing to work
in the Dbn Commission and adds: I struggled.
That is because, in our language, the word Dbn
means, brave tiger catches something and does not
let go. I think, sometimes people want everything
for themselves, like only seeking their benefit and
not helping everyone. That is why we are in this
Commission, to work for all, even though we do not
have money.

them. If someone asks why, she just shows them

her Disability Identification Card, which she always
carries inside her wallet, and explains them about
the Law 7600.
I talk to other persons about their rights, to senior
citizens, and to bus drivers. I talk to all persons
about their rights. Santa Rosa considers that the
municipality of the zone: has never wanted to
fix the roads. They have not made our schools
accessible. Now she and the Dbn Commission
are demanding those changes. She told us: I went
to the municipality and asked, What is happening
with the Law 7600?

Santa Rosa is very excited about the construction of

a multipurpose hall that will also provide a meeting
and work space for the Commission. They want to
continue working at the tamales factory and plan
to build a new and bigger kitchen to meet their
needs.
Santa Rosa would like a society that treat us with
respect and that we may be able to share with other
people, like we share in this group.
Santa Rosa Nejera Lescano says goodbye to us
with a hug and a kiss: I feel proud being visited,
and cites the Bible: Work hard and be brave, do
not fear or dismay, Jehovah, your God will be with
you.

That is how Santa Rosa talks as she feels herself

70

71

William
We win
challenges
everyday

72

73

A full smile on his face. A friendly and sincere smile.

Looking at Wiilliam, he seems to be younger than
34 years, his real age. That is because either of his
boyish face or because he
is full of optimism, dreams
and has an eagerness
toward life that seems to be
typical of younger persons
than him.
William was born in the
small village of Sabanillas
de San Vito. His mother
had an illness while she
was pregnant of him. I
almost caught polio while
being inside my mothers
womb. That is how he
explains the disability that
accompanys him since he
has born. William presents
motor difficulties on his
legs and has to use a cane
to move around within an
environment not adapted
to facilitate the life of nobody, not even the live of a
person with disabilities.
William struggles everyday against a society that
has the disability. If the environment was different,
disability would not exist, he says putting the
dots on the is, with respect to societys lack of
efficiency when it comes to assuring accessibility
and the respect to human rights of the population
with disabilities. We are struggling to achieve small
improvements in our county, including sidewalks,
bridges, and accessible commercial areas, so there
wont be disability. We have to move little by little,

74

because if we try to change everything at the same

time, we wont be able to achieve anything. That is
why we are moving from one thing to the next.
William had not been a fighter
all the time. He lived much time
with my hands tied up, as
he explains. His house in rural
Sabanillas was more than an
hour on horse back from any
access route and this kept him
isolated. In order to be able to
study and improve his personal
conditions, he moved into
the Costa Rican Rehabilitation
Home, in Pozos de Santa Ana,
in the capital San Jos. He was
there for 10 years. Afterwards,
he returned home, this time
to Sabalito where he has
been living with his parents.
Sabalito offers William more
possibilities to study and finish
his Secondary School.
While in Secondary School, five years ago, one of
his teachers puts him in touch with Project Kloie.
William says that it has been something that changed
his life. He told us: Long time ago, I thought that I
was useless and that persons with disabilities were
useless. That is a lie, we as persons with disabilities
are able to achieve the same things as any other
persons. What has to be changed is the envirnoment
that disables the persons. He says these things
with bright eyes and a great smile on his lips. It is
impossible not to believe him. And it is not possible
to not becoming infected with his optimism and
sense of pride.

75

And William understands that the transformation

process begins with himself. That is why the training
on Independent Living has meant so much to him.
He is recognising that he is an independent person.
He performs all the domestic work of his house and
is free to choose what to do with his life.

If it was not for Project Kloie my hands would still

be tied. I would not know what to do. This is how
we change society. Take the banks for instance,
one enters and they are different, the windows for
the public have been lowered, there are accessiblepublic telephones for wheelchair users. Now society
is providing services. And everything has changed
because of us, by our work.
William thinks that he acquired the empowerment
knowledge a little late in his life and he is doing all he
can to make the best use of it, including improving
himself, changing the social environment, and
changing the ways of thinking of his family. Like many
other families, Williams family overprotect persons
with disabilities, making them to believe they cannot
do activities like other persons. At present, William is
able to travel to the meeting places and activities by
himself, even to distant locations. He was not able to
do that before the project training.
They have changad because I have made them
change. Now, they see a person with disabilities and
try to help. Now, they have come to realize that it was
wrong to have kept me from participating in society.

76

William considers that Independent Living does not

living by yourself. It is a way of helping other persons
with disabilities, of providing them with training.
That is why he has dedicated much time to visit and
provide training in Independent Living to the students
of the San Vito University. He is also very active on
human right issues for persons with disabilities. He
always tries to reproduce and share the knowledge
and experiences acquired thanks to Project Kloie.
In his heart William feels very successful and very
proud of what he has been able to achieve. He says
that we have to moke more progress to feel much
better. And how could they not feel succesful and love
for themselves, if they themsleves have achieved
changes in the community. At the beginning, not only
we had to deal with tha lack of accessible comercial
places, but they would treat us like strangers. Now
they greet us happily and are willing to provide
services and information for us, tells this empowered
and always smiling young man.
William dreams that persons with disabilities come
to know the laws: so they are not tied. We have
to move ahead to achieve a lot. Never give up. We
always have to struggle against existing barriers in
our society.
With short, yet firm steps, always moving forward,
William Mndez Hernndez, walks toward new
challengss. He is sure to overcome any obtacle
imposed before him by society.

77

Mabel
You always
have to move on
forward

She is a great person, my inspiration and, after twenty

years of marriage, I am still in love with her. This world
needs more persons like Mabel, who gets involve with
other persons, because there are many persons in need.
Her work is great.
Freddy Barrantes Lobo, her husband

78

79

to be fixed with screws and internal plates. Mabel

has to permenently use a support corset. Two of her
vertebrae are damaged and the doctors have told
her that the others will also become damaged until
she will no longer be able to move. Nevertheless,
she says that nothing they have told her will slow
her down, because she has faith in herself and God.
Mabel always smiles and her friends in the group tell her
that they admire her because she is: always showing
her teeth, meaning her big smile, and that is true.

Mabel is an excepcional woman in many ways, both

because of her permanent enthusiasm as for her life,
completely dedicated at supporting other persons.
One of her favorite phrases is: You always have to
move on foward. In reality, this phrase summarizes
the story of her life.
Mabel was born 43 years ago, in San Vito de Coto
Brus, Costa Rica. The history of her disability is long
and her achievements have been great.
When she was 18 years old she went to the fair
and climbed on a bumper car and, after colliding
with another bumber car, she developed an hernia
on her spinal cord. Then she had her first surgery,
and coming out of the surgery room, she contracted
bacterial meningitis and ever since she cannot feel
anything on the right side of her body. This also
meant that she acquired a difficulty to walk. During
these years, other vertebras have been affected
and, after 4 surgeries more, 3 of her vertebrae had

80

Mabels life is a constant struggle. Sometimes she

has to spend time in bed, because she also has a
disease called fibromyalgia causing great pain. But
she tells us: This has not made me give up, on the
contrary, though I did suffer a lot at the beginning and
now I cannot practice sports, I learnt disability makes
us able to do other things.
She is the mother of two boys, 18 and 12 years old.
The doctors had told her that it would be very hard
to be a mother for her. Now she is proud of having
decided to marry her husband, Fredy. When I was 18
years old, I was ready to get married, but we had to
wait two more years because of my first surgery and,
then, my boyfriend asked me to wait for eight months
more while he went to the United States. When he came
back, he had to wait two more years, because I had
another surgery. Now we have been married for 20
years. I married the same boyfriend who had waited for
me. Here I am, very happy, says Mabel. Her love for
her family is evident, as well as her love for her work.
Mabel studied education, when growing up she
dreamt to be a professor, and she taught for 9
years, until her condition would not allow her to
work anymore. I had lots of support from my fellow
professors. My greatest joy was to meet in class with

81

disabilities and members of families of persons with

disabilities. That is why we work with so much love
and the situations we deal with have to do with our
own lives. The Association has many volunteers
for its activities. Mabel adds: We visit senior citizens,
persons with disabilities who have been adandoned,
and persons who have financial problems, including
poor housing conditions or lack technical aids. We
coordinate efforts with the pertinent government
institutions and other organizations. Also, we provide
an integral support, not just technical intervention.
For example, if the person is to be provided with
a wheelchair, we also consider other challenges
regarding where and how this person is going to use
it. Sometimes the house of the person has a dirt floor.

my students. Then, my Principal told me to leave and

continue struggling for my health. Yet, he was sure
that I would return and he was right.
Mabel retired and decided to organize a group to
support senior citizens and persons with disabilities.
This group gave a new turn to her life: It gave me
another reason to continue and, really, my disability
is not as extensive as that of other persons. This
group is the Association for Human Rights of Senior
Citizens and Persons with Disabilities and it has been
active for 5 years.
I want to contribute with those persons who cannot
get up from their beds, with those who are always
in their homes or even inside a room, and we are
achieving our goals, she tells us. Mabel coordinates
the Association. We are 9 members in the main
committee of the Association. There are persons with

82

Through the Association, Mabel coordinates obtaining

housing benefits from the government for persons
with disabilities and senior citizens. We assess the
health care conditions of these persons, including
if they are receiving medical care or, for example, in
the case of persons with cancer, if they are under
palliative attention. It is also very important to make
sure that there is compliance with the Costa Rican
Equal Opportunities Law (Law 7600 for persons with
disabilities) and with the Law 7539 for Senior Citizens.
The energy and strength of Mabel and the main
committee of the Association has made it possible
for them to provided training on different topics. Like
she says: We go and make them happy so they are
better able to move on forward.
Mabel became envolved with Project Kloie two
years ago, when she was invited to an activity of the
Health Area of San Vito. She continued participating
in other training events. All of this has taught me that
I am able to give more than what I am giving and that
all of us are capable persons. We have learnt to relate

83

with other people and to become aware that it is not

only me and my disability. I learnt to value myself
as a person, she adds. Her group puts into practice
all of these things. The have developed the habit of
reproducing the training within the Association.
The integral perspective on disability that Mabel
mentions, allows her to be very clear regarding other
needs that are not discused very much. I received a
course on sexuality for persons with disabilities and I
think that is very important. Sometimes society thinks,
and even the persons with disabilities have come to
believe, that they cannot or that they do not have the
right of enjoy their sexuality. I have participated in that
course and I have also provided training on sexuality
to other persons. For Mabel: We are able to share
sexuality in many ways. In fact, we as elderly or
persons with disabilities can have an active sexuality
and share our feelings with another person.
Mabel is full of dreams and speaks enthusiastically
about the near construction of a Day Care Center for
senior citizens and persons with disabilities. We are
going to build it this year, 2012. We already have the
land and the blueprints. The purpose of this Day Care
Center is to provide a place to stay during the daytime
to senior citizens and persons with disabilities whose
family members have to leave for work and are not
able to support them, she tells us. She plans to
organize courses and workshops with the National
Learning Institute and the universities. They have
expressed their support. Now the Association is
seeking financial resurces for the infrastructure.
Mabel relieves in what she is doing, and says it: I am
very enthusiastic and I do not give up for anything.
When I am sick in bed, senior citizens and friends
come to visit me and, when I am doing well, I visit
them. We meet always.

84

Mabel is tireless, active, and creative. I like to struggle

for others. I like to struggle with people. I like to provide
training and share with others. I also like to do some
dancing.
She is very humble and, of course, an entrepreneur.
She recognizes that the familiy is very important for
persons with disabilities. If there is family support for
us persons with disabilities, things are easier. I have
always had a great support form my husband and
my sons. As persons with disabilities, we believe that
nobody should be ashame of us. Nobody should try
to hide or neglet us. On the contrary, we are and have
the right to be active in society. We have rights, even
to dance, she adds.
Mabel Ugalde Jimnez will continue looking and
working for the future, learning new things, and
sharing her knowledge with others. Also, she will
continue reaching out to more senior citizens and
persons with disabilities of the region. I feel I have
more to share with them.

85

Roberval
Empowerment
enhances ones
own potential

86

87

Robeval assumed his disability like a butterfly in

metamorphosis. There was no depression, no
sadness, just the acceptance of a new reality of life
that was opening the doors to other possibilities.
Now, I have other very accute senses. I am able to
feel the odors of the forest like a jaguar.

Roberval is a scientist who loves jaguars. He is

from Recife, at the northern part of Brazil. He is a
biologist who came to Costa Rica in 1996, to finish
his Masters Degree on Bilogical Conservation at the
University of Costa Rica. One year later, he moved
to the Peninsula de Osa to study the ecology of the
jaguar, the main theme for his Masters Thesis: It
was the best decision of my life. In Osa I discovered
the mission for my life: Helping persons.
Osa has been Robervals home for 15 years. During
this time he has been inside the forest, chasing and
studying his cats of the forest, as Roberval likes
to call the jaguars. He explains it this way: When
I arrived to Osa I found the ideal for realizing the
dream of my life. The exuberance of the forests in Osa
and the feasibility of being able to live in a natural
landscape, motivated me so much that I decided to
stay, said Roberval. This biologists has had passion
for the environment and has included in it the work
with and for persons with disabilities.
In the year 2005, Roberbal was diagnosed with
toxoplasmosis, which is a disease that he probably
contracted it from his close contact with felines.
Roverbal explains: This microbe severely affected
my retina and, today, I have low vision, that is, I only
have about 3% on the left eye, he tells us.

88

In the year 2009, began to participate in a local group

called: Committee for Rehabilitation and Special
Education (COPRES). This organization is directed
to the persons with disabilities of Osa. From this
moment on, I had a big turn in my life. Now, I had to
share my jaguars with the persons with disabilities.
It was through COORES that Roberval comes to know
the Costa Rican National Rehabilitation and Special
Education Council and the Project Kloie. He tells us
about it: The Proyect Kloie permitted me to relate with
Inclusive Development and Independent Living. So,
Roberval discovered his own personal potential and
his vocation to collaborate to improve the quality of life
of persons with disabilities. He explains: It has been
three years of exclusive dedication to programs and
projects combining the biological field with the social
inclusion of persons with disabilities. This means that
today, my life is a mixture of naturalist and a defender
of the rights of the persons with disabilities.
Roberval dedicated himself to working with the Osa
community and, together with a group of persons,
he established the Socio Environmental Center of
Osa. This organization seeks to improve the quality
of life of the inhabitants of the zone. Then, Roberval
participated in the creation of the Center for Inclusive
Development of Osa (CDI.Osa). This organization
works exclusively on the social inclusion of persons
with disabilities of the Osa Peninsula.
The Accessible Ecotourism Program emerges as part
of the objectives of the above mentioned organizations.

89

Accessible ecotourism promotes the inclusion of

persons with disabilities in the ecotourism activities of
the Costa Rican southern Pacific Zone. Roberval works
hard so persons with disabilities may have access to
a diversity of natural panorama and to the biodiversity
of the South Pacific: the tourism structure of the zone
is still little accessible. But, the sector is interested in
starting a process of social inclusion toward persons
with disabilities, he told us.
Another of the project sponsored by Roberval was
the Osa Inn Campaign during the year 2011. The
objetive of this initiative was to promote the social
inclusion of the population with disabilities within
the rural and ecological tourism of the region. Also,
to motivate the approval of an accessible tourism
national policy. So a planed 4-day excursion with
persons with disabilities was conducted. The
participants were able to visit and experienced the
existing ecotourism services. Besides providing a
nice and exciting excursion to the tropical forests, it
allowed the participants to experience and evaluated
the accessibility to the facilities that were visited.
One of the successes of the Accessible Ecotourism
Program and the Osa Inn Campaign was the great
integration with the sectors of the local popolation,
the tourism operators, transportation providers, and
other persons. Also, it generated a great interest in the
follow up activities for this type of tourism in the zone.
Roberval continues researching and studying, not
just the jugars of Osa, but on new and better ways of
organizing and enjoying accessible tourism. Now, he
is also exchanging knowledge and experiences with
other similar projects in Brazil. Also: I am working on
a series of workshops to train tourism operators and
the general public wishing to expand this proposal to
the entire country, he explained to us.

90

Sure there is a lot of work to be performed in Costa

Rica before it can become a completely inclusive
and accessible country. But, there are persons
like Roberval dedicating a great part of their lives
so persons with disabilities are able to enjoy their
right of going to where they want and participate in
ecotourism activities. Today, the population of Osa
has become aware that the persons with disabilities
of its communities have the same rights and that Osa
is for All. After the visit of the tourists with disabilities,
many of the tourism operators introduced changes on
their facilities, making them more accessible for all.
Roberval is a very independent person, he lives
with a personal assistant and he feels that he is an
empowered person. The empowerment process is
important in order to take advantage of ones own
potential. This potential appears spontaneously when
persons begin to help others, he tells us.
Roberval Tabares de Almeida sees the future
and loves his work. He is also working on a new
project: Community Management Center to provide
social assistance to other groups in the zone and
contributing with the inclusive development.

91

Adriana
y Nayeli
92

Being a mother
of persons with
disabilities
makes us more
sensitive, more
human
93

and for her family. She became aware of being

a woman with rights many years ago. I was
born 52 years ago. When you are born a girl in
a community like ours, you must do household
chores and serve the men coming tired from work.
These girls never receive an education regarding
the rights that they have, like studying, playing or
eating in peace. Adriana tells us that, when she
was 26 years old and before Nayeli was born, she
was invited to receive some training which helped
her to understand that she had rights that had been
denied to her, like the right to an education, as she
dreamt since her childhood. She never could finish
primary school.

Adriana and Nayeli, mother and daughter, are native

women of the Trraba community. Their lives go
by like any other family in the rural areas: There
are always many things to do and I like to chop
wood, to watch the animals. Nayeli helps me with
the household chores. She attends the chickens and
a rabbit, says Adriana.
Nayeli was born with Downs Syndrome 19 years
ago. At that time, Adriana did not know anything
about persons with disabilities. Nayelis birth
changed her life. When they were at the hospital
nobody explained Adriana anything about Nayelis
disability and she went through uncertainty and
sadness. The father of Nayeli abandoned them,
saying that he was not able to have a daughter like
Nayeli. I knew that I did not need a man, that we
would make it through together, says the mother.
Adriana is a strong woman and she has always
been an active person working in the community

94

Since she was very young, Nayeli went to

kindergarten and later to school. Adriana tells us of
how people in the street and the rest of her sons and
daughters would tell her why she was wasting her
time, because they thought that Nayeli would not
understand anything: I never believed what they
were saying to me, I would not accept such words.
Instead, I was convinced that Nayeli had to study.
Nayeli is very proud for having obtained her Primary
School Certificate. She tells us: I like physics, music,
and computers. Some years later, Nayeli comes
home with her Identification Card. That is she is of
age and a citizen. She cries with joy thanking her
mother, her brother Leonel, and her stepfather who
went with her to receive the Identification Card. She
already knows that she is an adult woman and is
capable of making her own decisions.
These two persons, mother and daughter, have
gone through the empowering process together. And
together, they both have grown in knowledge and
experiences, and have confronted the challenges of
their lives.

95

For Adriana, the first step was to stop thinking that

Nayelis disability was a problem. Rather, she had to
transform this situation into an enriching experience
and with lots of positive learning. She explained
to us about Nayeli: After all the local, regional, and
national work process, I met many persons and I
came to realize that she is a blessing in my life. God
worked on my hard heart and false pride. Now I
am able to understand other mothers and persons
with disabilities. I feel other peoples situation as my
own.
On her part, Nayeli is rather quiet. She was afraid
to talk because she does it in a different way and
thought no one would listen. Nayeli has overcome
many fears. The most important thing is that now
she is able to walk in and out of her community
by herself and does not need support to do her
things. Adriana adds: She gets up at 4 in the
morning everyday, takes a bath and takes the bus
to Buenos Aires, by herself, and goes to school. That
is something she was not able to do before. She also
leaves and picks up her little sister at kindergarten.
The empowerment and change she has had is
incredible. Just by seeing her, you know that Adriana
is full of love for and very proud of her daughter.
Nayeli is very sure of herself. She is active, warm,
loving, and likes to dance and talk.
That walking together has led them to work in the
community with other families and persons with
disabilities. That gave Adriana a new objective for
her life: I came to the community and met with other
mothers. We talked about the need of establishing
an organization to seek support in areas like health,
education, housing, and even fixing the roads,
because there all were dirt roads. I know that I was a
brave mother, not a supermother, but someone who

96

assumed a situation in another way. I was able to

be a part of a change thanks to my friends and to all
the persons I met during training.
Adriana came to know the Costa Rican National
Rehabilitation and Special Education Council
(CNREE) when Nayeli was born. Then, little by
little, she got all her family involved in the process.
She says: because one thing I cannot tolerate is
discrimination, racism or contempt in a home where
there are family members with disabilities. Then, in
2008, Adriana became involved with Project Kloie.
At that time, a group of people of the community
began meeting and decided to work for persons
with disabilities. We realized the need of organizing
ourselves and I liked the perspective that the project
had toward the families. I became involved and
motivated the community to participate, explains
Adriana.
The Dbn Commission began in 2008 with 28
families of persons with disabilities and, during
this time, more persons from nearby communities
have also join in. The commission defined its
objectives and activities, including its national and
international participation to gain knowledge and
share experiences with other persons. Adriana,
who recognizes herself as one of the promoters of
all this work, explains: We have also been able to
provide training within the community itself and we
have defined work projects, like the drinking water
facilities and the tamales factory Estrella de Dbn,
which began with the idea of generating income
opportunities for persons with disabilities.
The Dbn Commission has developed its own
vision and work ethics. Adriana tells us: We have
learnt to consider life from another perspective.
We are persons with rights and needs and, with

97

respect to disability, there are no limits and there

is no difference if you are indian or not. We do not
discriminate anybody whether they are of mixed
race or native, because before anything else we
all are persons. This way of contemplating reality
has brought some detractors agains the group. Yet
they have continued with new interactions and
work plans directed to improving the quality of life.
We have seen great results, like the inclusion and
empowerment of persons with disabilities who did
not dare to say their names. These advances fill us
with energy, Adriana told us.
Adriana and Natyeli have learnt to be together, but
also to be independent. Adriana says: When we
received Independent Living training, both of us
learnt. At first, it was very difficult for me seeing her
taking the bus and going to school by herself. I could
not eat that day. But then, I understood that I had
give her the opportunity to go out and learn, and I
am not sorry.
Nayeli is very happy with her life. She feels that
she is a useful person and capable of doing many
things. She wants to study nearer the community,
but there is no special secondary school in Trraba.
She wants other persons of her community to be
able to go to secondary school. Nayeli wants to
become a professional and work to buy a computer.
Also, she wants to get married, have children, and
her own house. Nayeli is full of dreams. Now she is
able to dream and work for those dreams to come
true.
Adriana wants to continue working with persons
with disabilities in their community and other
communities nearby. She recognized that there are
many communities to visit and support: Some day
we will visit them all and perform an activity in each

98

community. That is our commitment, though we do

not know how we are going to do it.
Adriana Flores Gmez is happy with her work,
and says: It has been beautiful. To this day, I feel
very satisfied as a woman, a mother, and member
of this community, because we have seen the
results. This strong and struggling woman affirms:
Being a mother of a person with disabilities makes
us more sensitive and human. You should value,
love, and accompany them. Disability should not
be considered something to be sad about or to be
ashame for.
Nayeli Siba Flores says goodbye to us with a
hug and a kiss and says: I am not afraid, I go
everywhere. Young persons with disabilities should
not be afraid. They should celebrate their birthdays,
dance, and go out...

99

We now live better than

before. Now I have the
husband a did not have
before. He works hard, for
his projects and for us.

Marili Amador, his wife

Jos
Miguel
I am a
fighter
100

101

While he waited for someone to run to help him,

because he was under the bus that had fallen
over his body, Jos Miguel knew what life had for
him. Without doubting for a second, before being
overtaken by physical pain and the mental shock
of the accident, Jos Miguel knew that, if he would
survive, he would be associated with a wheelchair.
What did not passed through his mind was that, in a
short time, he would find a great sense to a situation
that could be catalogued as a fatality by many
persons. His own words are quiet convincing: far
from damaging me, the accident became a blessing.
The bus that fell over me was not empty, it was full
of blessings and one of them was for me to begin
using a wheelchair.
During his time of stay, recovery, and rehabilitation
in the National Rehabilitation Center, Jos Miguel
discovered that he had to dedicate his life to help
other persons with disabilities. The gratification that
he felt speaking with persons in a situation similar
to his, yet still undergoing depression or uncertainty
regarding what life had for them, became a light for
him. Jos Miguel came to realize that he could make
other persons feel better.
Jos Miguel is 40 years old and lives in San Vito.
He is married and has three daughters and one
son. He took some course in electronics when he
was young, but he dedicated himself to automobile
mechanics. After the accident, Jos Miguel had to
stop working with cars. Now, thanks to his earlier
electronics courses, he has a domestic appliance
repair shop and supports his family.
His main work deals with defending the rights of
persons with disabilities. After returning home
from the rehabilitation center, Jos Miguel and

102

other persons of the community established the

X-29 Association. X-29 is license plate of the bus
of his accident. But, something went wrong in this
initiative and Jos Miguel found himself alone.
With time, Jos Miguel learnt that, for an association
of this type to work, it had to be made up of persons
living or closely related with disability, either working
in the area of health, or that they have a member
of the family with a disability. So he began to look
for persons with disabilities in the community and
was able to create the Inclusion Without Exclusion
Association. This association has 56 members and
36 of them have disabilities.
Everything that happens to a person has a purpose.
I said, my God, you let me live for a reason. It was
like if I had to return a favor doing something to
improve life. That is how a was able to organize

103

from the medical model to the social model. He

explains: With the medical vision they make you do
rehabilitation, treatment, and all of that, whereas, in
the social model, you are asked what do you need
and you begin to learn how to do things.
Jos Miguel summarizes in one word all he has
acquired from Project Kloie: knowledge. Because,
when I returned home from rehabilitation and looked
for persons to create the association, I could not
imagine that we, persons with disabilities, had so
many tools for demanding our rights. Knowledge...
that is the most important thing that Project Kloie
came to share with us, says Jos Miguel.

this association of persons with disabilities, he

told us. With his association, Jos Miguel works
with persons with disabilities. They train them on
the defense of the rights of persons with disabilities
and, also, they support persons with disabilities
who need to obtain government disability pensions.
Sometimes, what is needed is to show the person
with disabilities that there is a world beyond the
porch of the house where she or he lives.
In the year 2006, through his sister, Jos Miguel
comes into contact with the National Rehabilitation
and Special Education Council and, immediately,
begins working with Project Kloie. He has
participated in all the training activities of the Project
and has obtained 12 certificates.
For Jos Miguel, the Training on Equal Opportunities
for Persons with Disabilities has been of most
value. It teaches how to change the way of thinking

104

The Inclusion Without Exclusion Association has

made important changes in the community of
San Vito. Accessibility used to be zero and, now,
we are about 40%. In the center of San Vito there
are parking spaces for persons with disabilities
and ramps on the sidewalks. These changes were
made because we demanded them. Jos Miguel
also coordinates actions with public institutions to
improve accessibility. For example, the Association
has an agreement with the Ministry of Health to
make Local Health Clinics accessible.
Jos Miguel Cubero Abarca is a hard working man.
He has used his disability to reinvent himself as
a person and wants a trascendental purpose for
his life. He wants to continue being a father and
a husband, an awaken to a better lifestyle: We
are in this world to serve, not to be served. If you
do not live to serve, you are no good for living. I
want to continue working, not just for persons with
disabilities, but for everybody.

105

Rosibel
We are a
great family

106

107

In Trraba the mothers are activists. In the case

of Rosibel: As a mother, I have to smile under all
circumstances, says Rosibel. She has 2 sons and
2 daughters, one of her daughters is a few months
old. Rosibels oldest son, now 16 years old,
contracted a disease affecting the femur and he
cannot do demanding physical activity, like running
or doing hard work. Rosibel became involved
with disability topics because of her son and later,
with some other persons of the community, she
founded the Dbn Association.
Trraba is one of the communities of the native
Costa Rican people, and a very neglected zone
with respect to the rest of the nation. In fact,
though they were here first, 90% of its territory does
not belong to them and almost nobody speaks
teribe as their mother tongue and there are no
real streets, only dirt paths. Poverty has become
the reality of the mayor part of this population.
Notwithstanding this panorama, this community
welcomes visitors very nicely, with a smile, and
offering a glass of water because summertime is
very hot here. Rosibel takes out chairs to the porch
and narrates her story, telling us about the project
she is involved in.
Rosibel knows that her personal strength is very
important for the development of her sons: We
must not faint as parents, so they will not grow
weak. You must always let them know that they
have many nice things to do and that they should
not become frustrated, she says.
The Project Kloie became a part of the life of
this community in the year 2008: I did not know
anything about this project. I heard that a person
was coming to provide training. I was invited and I

108

invited more persons. I told them, if you are coming

to the meeting, bring somebody else. That is how
we began to grow. The acquired knowledge
helped her to overcome the incorrect idea that
persons with disabilities had to be overprotected
and she learnt that this population has rights that
they should be able to enjoy: without us being
with them all the time, Rosibel tells us.
She affirms that they have learnt that knowing
about the rights of persons with disabilities, not

109

these opportunites of sharing knowledge. We

created the Association as a means of reaching
many places. If we were to remain as a mere
committee it would not had been possible to get
to where we are now, we would not had acquired
the knowledge we have, or conducted the training
we had been able, for instance, on management
of resources, nor would we have such a strong
Association, she says.
This union of persons of Dbn is very important
for the everyday life of this Association. There is a
great union among the group members. If someone
has a problem, the group has a problem. We are a
family, Rosibel explains. This union goes beyond
inclusion and solidarity.

only benefits this population and the members

of their families, but contributes to society as a
whole. We want persons with disabilities to be
included in society. They are not a burden, they
should be empowered so they come to know
that they are independent, Rosibel tells us. They
have taken advantage of the training, not just
from Project Kloie, but also from the activities of
the National Rehabilitation and Special Education
Council, the Combined Institute of Social Welfare,
and the Ministry of Labor and Social Security. From
this training they have learnt about rights, but also
about agricultural techniques, small business, and
management of resources.
The Dbn Association was founded thanks to

110

The project to establish the Dbn Tamales Factory

has grown together with the Association. It is a
microenterprise for manufacturing tamales. (This
is a typical cooked food of the Trraba Region,
made with corn paste, rice, vegetable, and meat).
We have established and operate a tamales factory
as a microenterprise. We are teaching the Trraba
Region that persons with disabilities are able to earn
a livelihood for their families. This project has a lot
of feeling and it is very important. Since the whole
family is involved, the microenterprise system
demonstrates how participation and inclusion will
provide a better tomorrow for all in the Trraba
Region, she says.
The slogan of the Dbn Association is: Association
for Persons with Disabilities and Motivation. And it
is in this last word, motivation, where Rosibel finds
the whole sense for all they are doing. Motivation
teaches us not to live just for ourselves, but for
other persons who need us to visit them. This is an

111

They already have the land where they plan to build

a larger facility with a properly equipped kitchen.
At present, they meet in the house of somebody of
the Board of Directors and they make the tamales
at Rosibels kitchen. The future facility is very
important for the growth of the Tamales Factory.
But, they also have other goals for improving the
infrastructure of the community.

important consideration, because we are needed

particularly in the farthest communities involved.
In the center of Trraba, there are 26 families with
a member having a disability, but there are more
communities nearby. There is a total of 47 families
with a member having a disability and they need
to know about empowerment and the Law 7600.
Rosibel feels great tranquility and strength in her
heart. She cultivates these feelings because she is
capable of helping her sons and daughters. When
we leave, we will do so knowing that they have
become aware that they are useful and important
persons. Because their parents were strong, they
must be stronger than us.

They have achieved certain things, like a bus with

a lift for the community. There is a lot to be done.
One of the things that worries Rosibel the most, is
the bad conditions of the roads of Trraba. Our
dream, as an Association, is to have asphalt roads.
Particularly persons who have difficulty walking,
because they do not have a leg o use a wheelchair,
just cannot move around on this road. We have
to begin fixing at least the main road. We cannot
remain quiet before so many needs, Rosibel
tells us. They also are conducting activities to
improve the high school because its building is
not accessible for persons with disabilities.
Rosibel Flores Gmez invites us to look for
happiness in the simple things of life. You do not
need a chest full of dollars under the bed. Many
times it just takes a hug or a smile for a person with
disabilities to feel loved and important.
Rosibel Flores Gmez, her family, and her
community have a better future based on solidarity,
independence, integration and happiness. She
tells as: We overcome barriers, cross the infinite,
and we will not faint.

The Dbn Association has many challenges ahead.

112

113

Hernn
We Changed as
a Family

114

115

Hernn is a sincere and humble man. He has worked

in the agriculture fields all of his life, though he has
also been a carpenter and bricklayer. His work makes
him happy.

He gain knowledge about Independent Living and

returned home wanting to work for other persons
with disabilities.

Today
Hernn
is
a
model father, besides
his activities to provide
livelihood for his family,
he
dedicates
time
supporting the group of persons with disabilities
where his son participates.

For Hernn and all of

his family, to recognize
and accept their sons
independence
required
knowledge
their
were
willing to acquire. It has
been incredible for me to
participate in Project Kloie.
The
empowerment
we
were able to achieve has
been very beneficial for
us, says Hernn. My wife
and I started to go to the
meetings, because Luis
Hernn was very weak
and the road was in bad
condition. But we went to
the meetings. There, the
people told us that our son
had a great potential. Being
part of a group became very
important for Hernn, he
told us that: Persons with
disabilities should not remain
inside their homes all the time. There are organizations
and associations everywhere in the country willing to
receive them. There they will find space to growth.

But Hernn has had to clear his own path: one of the
hardest experiences was when Luis told us he was
going to Japan for a training. It worried us because
we did not know the people he was going to meet,
nor the courses he was going to take. Even with my
doubts, a just supported him. And it was a success.

This process generated tangible changes in Hernn:

I participated in trainings and seminars at different
places. Then I was asked to provide training for
families of persons with disabilities. Before attending
to these trainings, I was not able to speak freely. It
was hard for me. Now I am more at ease. I learnt

He is the father of seven

sons, among them is Luis
Hernn, a young man
who had an accident
and acquiered a physical
disability 8 years ago.
Before
that
moment,
Hernn had not had any
contact with disability
topics, which meant a
challenge for him and his
family. At first it was very
hard for us because of his
condition. He needed much
assistance, like in taking
a bath and all of that. We
began to overprotect Luis
Hernn, my son.

116

117

about the rights of persons with disabilities and the

rights we have as a family. Hernn has become
aware about his own rights and he demands them
respectfully. Also, he enjoys sharing his knowledge
and experiences with other families of persons with
disabilities.
Hernn speaks clear and strongly regarding the role
of members of families of persons with disabilities:
I believe that we, as families, have to assume that
persons with disabilities have the right to develop. We
must be open to allowing them to act for themselves.
Many times we even want to put them their shirt and
pants, and we decide for them. Now I know that is
a mistake and hurts them. We must respect them
and provide them with all the opportunities. They
are valuable persons and many times smarter than
many of us.
For Hernn, as a member of a family of a person
with disabilities, breaking barriers calls for a change

118

in attitude. To leave fears behind and not overprotect.

He explains: Now we all live better. We are less
worried and Luis Hernn is happier.
Hernn looks at the horizon, sighs and then expresses
his desire that the Costa Rican society will also make
changes: I want Costa Rica to contemplate this
population and be more concerned about them. It
has been almost 15 years since the approval of Law
7600 and little progress has been made regarding
accessible spaces, ramps, sidewalks... it would be
better for persons with disabilities and for all of us.
With his firm and decisive words, Hernn Cambronero
Cruz, affirms that he will continue supporting families
and person with disabilities in the southern zone of
the country. He adds: I have become very identified
with this work and I would like to dedicate the last days
of my life to working with persons with disabilities
and their families.

119

She has a different spirit. When one calls for her

participation in the activities, she is way ahead.
Hers is a spirit if a construtive fighter. Even before
joining the Project Kloie, she was a hard working
person and she was an entrepreneur. The Project
Kloie has contributed greatly with tha region and
the Independent Living Project.

Jos Blanco (CNREE)

Aida
A different
spirit

120

121

The opportunity to work is very important for persons

with disabilities. A job is not only a source of income,
but it also contributes to the emotional wellbeing of the
person. Aida says: Disability produces more poverty.
For instance, as persons with disabilities, we sometimes
need a taxi to move from one place to another and
that creates more financial expending. We have many
abilities. We, persons with disabilities want to improve
ourselves. We are capable of doing many things. In my
case, I was able to earn a living from a sitting position
during 5 years. Like me, many persons do it.

You do not make progress without wanting to move

on forward. If you do not want to see the sunlight, you
will be in the shadows all of your life. Aida knows this
is an infinite truth. Before her 22 years of age, Aida
did not go out much and she did not know who her
neighbors were. She lived in San Vito de Coto Brus
and had to leave school at the age of 10 years old
because of disability related conditions. Aida lived
like a locked up adolescent girl, until she decided to
open the door and escaped from her confinement.
Aida left to Prez Zeledn with her sister, her dreams,
her two nephews, the osteoporosis, and the desired
to live a real life. At that time, Aida was using a
wheelchair, because she was recovering from
surgery on her legs, and had to take care of her two
nephews while her sister went to work. I had to do
all domestic chores. Time after, I got tired and went
to work at a store. I developed myself personally and
met many persons. You know I have always been a
hard working woman, she tells us.

122

Aida has a different spirit and a superb energy. Her

motivation for life keeps her moving on forward.
This have been incredible years. I have matured a
lot since I was 22 years old. I was not able to enjoy
many things when I was an adolescent, but I began
to really live since I came here. I used to be very
insecure, very afraid and did not want to speak to
nobody. Now I consider myself a very strong person.
I am no longer insecure.
To be able to live in Prez Zeledn has given Aida
the great opportunity to be the person she always
wanted. She is the head of the family and with great
effort she was able to buy the land for what is now
her own house. Aida had to work very hard for her
house, including the process to obtain the Housing
Government Subsidy. She makes the decisions
in her home, though she lives with her sister and
occasionally with her mother. Also, Aida is an activist
for the defense of the rights of persons with disabilities.
I have been able to learn many things with this small
disabilities and I have become very human, very
sensible. I know there is a purpose, because I had to
come here to fight for the rights and change the society.
I was one of the first persons with disabilities who

123

went to Japan to receive training for the Independent

Living Project, says Aida.
Aida comes to know Project Kloie in the year 2008.
She joined the group activities directly. Not just by
participating in the training and the scholarship to
go to Japan, but also promoting the Movement of
Independent Living in Prez Zeledn and at the
national level. She incorporates everything she has
learnt from the Project Kloie in her personal life, in
her home, and in her community.
This rather short yet great woman got involved
with the organization of her neighborhood, in the
marginal zone of Cocori, demanding for the collective
rights and wellbeing for all. Now she is demanding
the Transportation Commission to obligue the bus
company of the zone to enter vehicles where her
house is. She does all of these things knowing that
she was trained by the Project Kloie. That is what
a call a real empowerment. We develop ourselves and
our goals within our own environment, the community,
and the family. Here is the responsibility and here is
where we make our own decisions, says Aida.
The work of Aida and her companions continues.
There are many transformations needed in this

124

society. Our community is far from being inclusive.

The negative attitudes of many persons is a barrier we
confront everyday. Nevertheless, with Project Kloie,
the Movement of Independent Living, and the Costa
Rican National Rehabilitation and Special Education
Council, we have made progress in everything, as
compared with San Jos. There things are terrible,
because there is no strong movement of persons with
disabilites fighting for disability rights, she adds.
Aida calls for the existance of organizations similar the
the one she belongs: Because these organizations seek
to improve, not only the lives of persons with disabilities,
but the general conditions of society as a whole. We are
concern for the environment to be accessible for all, not
only those having disabilities, but senior citizens and
women who are pregnant. Society is learning from us.
Many persons are learning from us, and they have told
us: I have learnt a lot from you all!
Aida Gonzlez Brenes is a woman full of positivism.
She listens to all persons, filters what is no good, and
works with the constructive elements. She calls us
have dreams and goals, to know that we are equal,
and to always respect the feeling and the rights of all
persons. She motivates to continue struggling.

125

His struggle motivates me

to be with him. He makes
decisions and he is an
entrepreneur. If all of us were
like persons like Luis, we
would have a more human,
nicer, and happier world.
Alexander Bustos , his
personal assistant

Luis
Alberto
We are equal in
the difference
126

127

To leave his mothers house and move to another

town, far from his native Puntarenas, seems to have
been the natural decision in the life of Luis Aberto.
His mother always motivated Luis Alberto to be
independent, to take care of himself, and to not
present as an excuse the fact that he had to use a
wheelchair since the age of 10 years old.
When I was in seventh year, my wheelchair was
damaged and I asked my mother what she was
going to do. She returned my question: What are you
going to do? She told me that I was the one who
had to solve my problems. My mother has an open
mind and never imposed limitations on me, says
Luis Alberto.
Luis Alberto has been living independently for only
a few months in an apartment in Prez Zeledn. He
uses a personal assistant, which helps him a lot and
is one of the rights for persons with disabilities that
Luis Alberto defends everyday.
Luis had the opportunity of going to Japan for training
on Independent Living. This course was organized
by the Japanese International Cooperation Agency
(JICA). We went to learn how they were using the
concept there, how they use personal assistants,
and how they maximize government support, like
subsidies. We are working on these things for Costa
Rica. We want to make adaptations and see if we can
tropicalize the concept and develop it in our country,
says Luis Alberto, who has been preaching by
example, becoming one of the first persons in the
group starting to live independently.
Independent
Living
means
that
persons,
notwithstanding the degree of their disability, are able
to control their lives and assume the consequences
and the benefits of this challenge. Luis Alberto

128

knows this well. He also was involved in the struggle

for accessible transportation in the community and
in the struggle to force accessible taxis to have an
acceptable fleet. He had to personally fix matters
himself with the electricity company who had cut
the power of his apartment because he forgot to
pay the bill.
The pilot plan for an Independent Living Center in our
country is conducted in the city of Prez Zeledn.
Luis comes to live to Prez Zeledn to work on
this dream together with 4 or 5 more persons with
disabilities. His dreams and responsibilities are great:
What we want is for persons with disabilities to be
able to interact on equal conditions than the rest of
society, sounds simple but it is a big mission.
To do all of these things, it was necessary to
promote personal development and empowerment
of the population with disabilities. They also had
to strengthen the network that Project Kloie has
established among the institutions, including
the Municipality of Prez Zeledn, the Ministry of

129

that he has gone through has provided him with a

better understanding of what independence really
means. Everything I have learnt has become tools
to improve my life. Before this training, I used to
act by instinct. That is why training has become so
important. It also allows us to teach other people,
including theoretical arguments, how to do things,
he tells us.

Labor, the Costa Rican Social Security, the Ministry

of Public Education, and other institutions in the
county. The purpose is to perform coordinated
actions to facilitate the development of persons
with disabilities.
Luis Alberto is emphatic when saying that they do not
want a special treatment: contrary to a paternalistic
system, where things are given to persons because
they have a disability, we want to operate under
established policies that really benefit the person, so
everyone is capable to achieve more.
Luis had the privilege of completing his studies. He
was able to finish his professional studies in private
accounting and had many job opportunities, but
he had always wanted to dedicate his whole life to
something that moved him internally. He wanted to
work, not just to earn money but, also, to help others.
For me, hearing someone say that he or she was
motivated and made progress because of something
I said, is very important, more than money.

Luis and the rest of his companions of the Independent

Living Project share the responsibility of moving the
ship foward. Sometimes I have to organize things. I
take care of the accounting for the project. Other times
I go on training activities or to negotiate something.
He provides training on motivation, disability or
citizens auditing. He says: Thanks to the National
Rehabilitation and Special Education Council (CNREE)
and to the Japanese International Cooperation Agency
(JICA) we are able to provide training on many
topics. This makes us persons living with a disbility
and having theoretical knowledge, thus making our
message more solid.
Luis Alberto defends the elimination of every taboo
regarding disability in our society, including the
importance of mobility, access to jobs, study, and
everything in the life of the persons. Differences must
be respected. The only condition of equality that we
all have is that we all are different.
If a person sits waiting for life to fix itself, that is not
going to happen. It is the person who has to take the
initiative. You must take risks and know that some
things may go not work. All of these things are part
of daily living for everybody. Luis Alberto Castillo
Peralta does not just sit waiting for life to take its
course, he comes out to build it.

Luis has always been independent and the training

130

131

Everybody here knows Marlen. She

helped me a lot with my husband who has
a heart disease. I come to the meetings
and try to help others.

Marina Mesn, neighbor and member

of the commission

Marlen
We came
seeking support
and ended
providing
support
132

133

Marlen lives in La Palma de Puerto Jimnez, in the

southern part of Costa Rica. She is known by all
the members of the community because of her
work improving the quality of life of persons with
disabilities and their families.
Marlens family is made up by her 10-year old
son and her husband, Nelson. Antony, her son,
was born with a malformation and an abdominal
distention, causing him digestion difficulties and
he needs to be on a special diet. Her husband,
Nelson, had one of his legs amputated because of
a thrombosis that was not treated timely. During
the most critical part of the amputation, we were
disoriented and did not know what to do. Then, we
were invited to participate in a meeting of Project
Kloie. We began by learning of its objectives and
the participating institutions. We got involved and
decided to organize a committee in La Palma. In
other words, we came seeking for support and
ended providing support, says Marlen.
Marlens first step in this which is now more than
a job, has become part of her life and the life of
her family. We received training and advise during
3 years for organizing the committee. We held a
meeting attended by 48 persons with disabilities
and their families. As training and other activities
continued, the numbers grew to present 225
persons with disabilities and their families. The
environment this and other communities nearby
generates disability.
Marlen has been the president of the committee
for the last two years. Her house has become
the operational and administrative office of the
committee. From here, actions are performed to
obtain support for persons with disabilities. Thanks

134

to their work, 33 government subsidies applications

have been approved for persons with disabilities
of the zone and the committee has obtained the
approval of 83 Individual Aid Applications from
the Combined Institute of Welfare. The committee
has been able to organize training activities and
complete courses with other institutions, like
the University of Costa Rica and the Ministry of

135

Marlen and the whole committee work ad honorem,

they do not receive any salary because it does
not have resources other than those dedicated to
activities for persons with disabilities. One of the
plans is to transform the committee into a legal
association, with Articles of Incorporation. This
would help them to obtain more resources.

Labor. With coordinated efforts, they obtaIned the

approval of 12 new wheelchairs from the National
Rehabilitation and Special Education Council. And
these achievements are only part of their work.
Marlens home telephone rings constantly. One
of the activities she does is advising persons with
disabilities on their rights and how to demand them.
I tell them that rights have to be put into practice and
I try to guide persons with disabilities in defending
their rights. There is always someone new coming
to us for assistance or information. Marlen is a very
humble person and she tells us that she used to be
depressed: But now I do not have time for things I
do not need, like depression.
The committee works from the zone of Drake to
Jimnez. It is a large sector and it has not received
the necessary support from government institutions
and the roads are in bad condition. These and other
situations, make the work of the association very
hard. They do not have a car to move around and
their budget is very limited.

136

There is always people at Marlens house and, also,

neighbors bring all types of technical aids that can be
used by persons with disabilities, like wheelchairs,
crutches, walkers, and other items. Here we have
lent 11 wheelchairs to persons who need them and,
when they do not need them anymore, they return it
and we lend the wheelchair to somebody else. The
maintenance, storage, distribution, and follow up of
these technical aids is difficult for us, because we
do not have any means of transportation or funds,
explains Marlen. Though they are not technicians,
Marlen and Nelson do magic with the wheelchairs,
using their own ingenuity and private contributions:
We fix things like ball bearing, wheels and tires, and
screws. Sometimes it is hard for us to find spare
parts because we do not know where to buy them.
The telephone continues to ring while Marlen
shares many stories with us. She knows very well
the lives of many persons with disabilities and she
has committed her own life to them. Marlen talks
about seeking alternatives for them as if they were
for her own family. We find support for persons
with disabilities... We do not allow that their rights
be denied to them. I love everyone of them.
Marlen believes in justice. It is a very important
value for her. Her personal experience motivates
her to think about others: It is very hard for me to
understand how is it possible for persons who are

137

able to help others, they instead take advantage of

those who are in need, she tells us. Marlen knows
very well what she, her son, and her husband
have gone through. There are situations related to
disability where expenses are high and resources
are hard to find. That is why she does the best she
can to help persons with disabilities.
One of her dreams is to become a nurse: I like
nursing. My son has had many crises and I had to
take a first aid course. It is not fair when persons
do not know where to go when they are in need. I
do not want to keep for myself the information that
I have been obtaining, says Marlen with sincere
words.
I have been using at 100 x 1000 times the training
we have been receiving on the rights of persons
with disabilities from the National Rehabilitation and
Special Education Council. I have learnt that there
is much to be struggling for. These continue to
be her words: Know I demand a better treatment
and that is what we deserve. We should not remain
silent or tolerate the denial of human rights. Marlen
demands her rights and has documentation to share
with others: Know that there is a law on the rights
of persons with disabilities and I, as member of a
family of persons with disabilities, can make sure
that these rights are met. I remember going to visit
the doctor of the community and giving him a copy
of the Law 7600 on Equal Opportunities for Persons
with Disabilities. I told him that the law included
the objectives we were fighting for. After sometime,
this doctor told me, that now he understood what
we were fighting for and that we should continue
motivating others.

changes occur very slowly, like the speed of a turtle.

Our joint effort will produce positive results in time.
It is a source of tranquility and peace to know that
your sharing with others can help many persons to
improve their quality of life. You always have to help
from the heart.
Marlen Molina Jimnez supports persons with
disabilities with all her heart and motivates the
development of her community.

Marlen is optimist regarding the future: Social

138

139

Oldemar
Everything has
been a great
teaching
He has learnt many things. He values
his own life and people like him a lot. I
try to help in anyway that I can. These
are great sacrifices and struggles, but
we support him, together with my sons.

140

Etilvia Peterson, his wife

141

He has Project Kloie in his heart and tears come to

his eyes when he remembers what he has learnt
and lived. Oldemar once felt abated, but now he is
an empowered man who works day by day for his
community.
The reality of the abandon experienced by hundreds
of agricultural workers in Costa Rica also knocked
at Oldemars home. When he was working for a
pineapple plantation he had an accident, leaving
him with a fracture on his right hand. This fracture
compromised a part of the nervous system and left
him with a disability that does not allow him to work.
The company fired him without providing him any
type of legal compensation.
Oldemar has been a farmer all of his life and his
classroom has been the agriculture fields: My mother
gave me a machete, a file, and an ax. These articles
were like my school pack, my notebook, and my
pencil. With them a learnt to earn my living. For 50
years he was able to feed his family with his work.
Afterwards, Oldemar felt very bad for not being able
to work again, but Proyect Kloie helped him weak
up to a new life: This is like when there is a captive
bird and somebody comes to open the door of the
cage. That is what Project Kloie did for me. It gave me
liberty. He has gone through a great empowerment
process, with workshops, and training. Later, he
was motivated to travel to Mexico to learn about
the life of persons with disabilities who have been
empowered to live independently. Now, Oldemar is
the President of the Dbn Association. In the native
territory of Trraba, this is a group of families having
members with disabilities.
During his first meetings with Project Kloie, he
was not very sure of participating. He felt he did not

142

want to compromise and, really, he was not so sure

of himself. Yet, with time, his new friends and the
persons he came to know at the meetings and other
activities made him realize that he was a valuable
member of the community: I became empowered.
It is like if Oldemar is living again.
The Dbn Association decided that obtaining
drinking water for the community was one of its
most important projects. When Project Kloie came
to Trraba, it advised the community on making a

143

about 400 pesons will have access to drinking water.

The second stage will provide drinking water to more
families. The construction of the aqueduct will begin
in 2012.

diagnosis regarding the conditions there. The idea

was to start working based on the needs detected.
That is how the lack of drinking water was recognized
as the most important challenges. So now there
are two persons from the Dbn Association as
members of the Association for the Management of
the Communuty Aqueduct and Sewerage System
(ASADA).
The community approves the project for the aqueduct
and coordination for the meetings with the Costa
Rican Aqueduct and Sewerage begins. The project
has not begun yet. The suppliers are presenting
their offers for making the channel and placing the
tubing. We have made efforts to sustain the project.
Also, we have been very fortunate because, thanks
to the coordination with the Costa Rican Aqueduct
and Sewerage, financing for the first stage of the
project was approved by the government of Spain.
96 families will be benefited in the first stage, that is

144

Oldemars life deals with helping other people.

There are times when there are so many persons
in need, that you would like to have lots of money.
But, coming to see things in the correct manner,
you really do not make anything with money. The
important things are the heart and believing that we
are capable of doing something for our communities.
Many persons thought that Project Kloie was going
to bring boxes full of money, and what they brought
were many beautiful things, including confidence,
knowledge, unity of the group, coordination with the
institutions. Project Kloie enriched our minds and all
of this knowledge will strengthen the community.
This sensible man, with his acquired clear
perspective, knows we come to this world to learn.
He, from his humble agricultural wisdom, recognizes
that a part of the empowerment process is to be able
to generate abilities to defend our rights and the rights
of the community. That is why Oldemar is learning
to read and write. His wife is his teacher. He tells
us: Oldemar has not failed. I fail if a want, if I do not
want I will not fail. The Law 7600 strengthens me. It
strengthen me to know that neither I or my family are
alone. I am very thankful to Project Kloie for teaching
us how to draw the road to follow.
For Oldemar Navas Salazar, the empowerment
process ment the elimination of ties, shame, and
fears. It gave him strength to be able to decide what
to do with his life and the concerns of the community:
All that I learnt in this process was to find the key of
the lock that had enclosed my life.

145

Community

Advocacy

146

involvement

147

Capacity
Building

148

Empowerment

149

Friendship

150

Independent
Living

151