Against all physical odds

How can one stand with his legs impaired?

Ask that to the men and women residing in Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) and they will answer: by standing out in their fields.

“It has always been a continuous challenge for our beneficiaries to live a life that is inspiring and productive,” said Jocelyn Garcia of TWH, which celebrated its 34th anniversary in February this year. It is a non-profit organization that provides livelihood to the disabled through income-generating products such as woodcraft, metalcraft, wheelchairs, greeting cards, furniture, and other corporate giveaways at the Tahanang Walang Hagdanan Business Center. It was founded by Sr. Ma. Paula Valeriana Baerts, a Belgian nun belonging to the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary who once rendered service to the Philippine Orthopedic Center.

Meanwhile, Adaptive Technology for Rehabilitation, Integration, and Empowerment of the Visually Impaired or ATRIEV tells its share of astonishing stories through its feat of being the first and only non-government organization in the country to institutionalize information technology access for the blind and visually impaired.

ATRIEV was founded by its president, Antonio Llanes Jr., who has a natural knack for anything technical, repairing audio equipment, refrigerators and even computers despite being born with poor vision.

“When no one else in the Philippines dared to use the computer, I was already experimenting with speech boxes so that the blind can gain access to computer-based information,” Tony proudly recounted.

Tony also disclosed his aspiration to become the first blind professional photographer in the Philippines. “With the advances in technology, anything is possible,” he said.

A magazine writer and the creative director of a small start-up business called Sparkplug Studios, Juan Magdaraog, who, for 18 years, has been battling Pompe Disease, a rare and recessive genetic mutation that disables the heart and muscles, is a notable figure in the PWD business sphere as well.

Juan has devoted his time in Industrial Design expertise to his online entrepreneurial start-ups while staunchly advocating for the increased awareness of Pompe Disease.

“Work has always been a big part of my life. I can honestly look at myself in the mirror and say I’m worth something. I contribute to this world we live,” he said.

As far as Dennis Balan is concerned, an awarded wedding photographer, the sounds echoing the wonders of weddings are missed every time he presses the shutter for his picture-perfect photos.

This is because Dennis is deaf.

“I may have a physical disability but that did not hinder me from continuing my passion,” said Dennis, owner of his eponymous business, Dennis Rhoniel Corpuz Balan Photography Services (DRCB), which was established in 1996, after Dennis took formal photography lessons under the Federation of the Philippine Photographers.

According to him, despite having a rough start, wherein he lost four clients due to miscommunication with some interpreters he hired, he still found fulfillment in his business as it gave him a way to experience unbounded creativity at the same time earn money for the future.

After years of catering to one wedding a month, DRCB Photography Services now runs on a monthly average of three to four weddings. It has also upgraded its services through various video shoot packages, which couples can choose from depending on their budget.

Conversely, Maria Gilda Quintua shares Dennis’s journey as she directs traffic for MGLQ Deaf Tour Assistance, an agency engaged in tour-related assistance and voluntary activities managed by travel enthusiasts and dynamic young deaf Filipinos, which aim to assist deaf and other PWD (People With Disabilities) foreign and domestic tourists for accommodations.

“It’s good to know more people. It’s educational,” said Gilda, head tour guide and CEO of MGLQ.

She added: “My business improved my ability to understand and adjust to many kinds of personalities of the deaf and hearing people who most often cannot understand sign language.”

MGLQ’s clients hail from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, and Japan. Also, there are clients coming from Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and the USA.

On Nov. 20, Jocelyn, Tony, Juan, Dennis and Gilda will each be recognized as Most Inspiring Entrepreneurs with Disabilities by Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Jose Concepcion III, Secretary Cerge Remonde, Director General of the Presidential Management Staff, Rep. Cynthia Villar, and Bro. Vic Franco FSC during the PWDs Can Go Negosyo! slated at the Augusto Rosario Theatre in De La Salle College of St. Benilde.

PWDs Can Go Negosyo! is presented by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, School of Deaf Education and Applied Studies, in partnership with the Deaf Benildeans Multipurpose Cooperative and the PEN-International  and AusAID-PACAP.