Nengah and Gede’s Story

 

Nengah and Gede are brother (Gede is the brother) and sister, both of whom suffered Polio in their early childhood, and have undergone extensive rehabilitation at Pusat Rehabilitasi Yakkum (PRY) in Yogyakarta, Central Java, and PUSPADI Bali in Bali.

When first found by PUSPADI Bali, Nengah, then aged around 12 years was unable to stand and her only method of getting round was on all fours. She had not been to school, as the family were impoverished and had no transport, nor the money for public transport, and it was way too difficult for her to “walk” the distance to school.

Her older brother Gede, approximately 14 when “found” by PUSPADI Bali, was a little more fortunate, being able to stand upright, but had one paralysed and shorter leg, and his only way of getting round was by using a long bamboo stick as a makeshift crutch, the rough end of which made serious sores in his armpit. After some persuasion, their parents allowed them to be taken to Yogyakarta, where they were operated on, given therapy, counselling and education, and for the first time in her life Nengah was able to stand, with the help of braces and crutches, and look people in the eye instead of her usual view of the world – from the ground!

Gede was issued with a brace with a little platform to rest the foot of his shorter leg on, and an artificial foot, and was delighted and proud to be able to get round much more easily.

Despite never having been to school, Nengah proved a very bright student and in the 10 months she was in Yogyakarta, learned to read, write and was able to complete studies from basic through to Grade 5! Gede also proved an adept student, and both returned to Bali with increased confidence and self worth, and, sponsored by PUSPADI Bali, they were able to continue their education at a school established for those with special needs. Here Nengah topped all her classes, and Gede also passed with good results.

Nengah is currently attending a School for tourism in Nusa Dua, Bali. Gede has graduated with a diploma in Computer Accountancy and Tax, and hopes to continue on to take a degree. He now works at Mercure Hotels.

 

From Bali to London Paralympics

Meanwhile, with the physiotherapy received in Yogya and since, both of them developed great upper strength and have competed in Regional and National championships for weight lifting.

Nengah has won medals in China, Thailand and Malaysia. At the 2011 ASEAN ParaGames she collected gold, lifting 87 kilograms. In 2012 Nengah was the only woman representing Indonesia at the 20th Paralympics in London and came 5th in the World! In 2014 Nengah won gold at the ASEAN Para Games in Myanmar. In 2016 she hopes to be at the Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro.

PUSPADI Bali is extremely proud of how these two have overcome severe disabilities despite the abject poverty they lived in before rehabilitation. They are just 2 examples of the physically disabled who have received assistance with rehabilitation and just as importantly, sustainability. Meanwhile there are approximately 11,000 more physically disabled on record in Bali, who need help with empowerment.

PUSPADI Bali still has a long journey ahead serving people with disabilities. Thanks to our many supporters, the wider community, especially Inspirasia and the collective efforts of all above, PUSPADI Bali is able to serve increasingly greater numbers of people with disabilities in Bali and Eastern Indonesia, with a higher level of service.

Happily, the local government too, is now focusing more awareness and resources on the needs of people with disabilities.