would make mud cakes and I would pretend to sell them to my playmates. It was much simpler then, he signed; a glint of nostalgia shining through his eyes.
“Simpler how, sir?”
Before, I thought that as long as I am a good cook, I can work in any restaurant of my heart’s desire. Sadly, in the real world, it is quite hard to be employed if you have a disability like mine. Your employers will consider how you will be able to communicate with them; and if they or their staff can’t sign, you won’t get the job, no matter how good you are.
Our conversation flowed easily for the next fifteen (15) minutes or so. We talked about how it was to be a working PWD and how he overcame his disability and looked at himself as a person who can function as good as, or even better than people without disabilities. He told us, with a proud demeanour, that sulking in a dark room with “emo” music playing in the background has never been his attitude. Instead, he chose to whole-heartedly accept that God has gifted him with hands that were made to cook that God chose to not give him the ability to talk in order to focus on creating edible masterpieces with his hands. He also shared, with a look of accomplishment piercing through his eyes, how he was able to brave the scary world of indifferent employers, cynical human resource personnel and judgemental co-workers. He said that in order to succeed in life, whether you are a PWD or not, is to ooze confidence and bravery. Lastly, he shared how in the real world, only people who are sure enough of themselves and their talents can excel. You have to be proud of what you are capable of. You have to show off what God has blessed you with because this will be your ticket to ultimate success.
As we closed our interview, finally signing off with the signature wave of hand and smile, I realized how important it is to look at yourself with what you have got, not with what you lack.
"All of us should have the mind-set that our disability, whether physical or not, does not hinder us from living a successful life.