News Flash!
"Making the Millennium Development Goals (MDG's) Inclusive: Empowerment of persons with disabilities and their communities around the world" (Information obtained from page for IDPD, UN) Recent studies indicate that persons with disabilities constitute up to 20 per cent of the population living in poverty in developing countries. Many persons with disabilities continue to face barriers to their participation in their communities and are often forced to live on the margins of society. They often face stigma and discrimination and are routinely denied basic rights such as food, education, employment, access to health and reproductive health services. Many persons with disabilities are also forced into institutions, a direct breach of the rights to freedom of movement and to live in their communities. The United Nations commitment to the full and equal enjoyment of all human rights by persons with disabilities is deeply rooted in a quest for social justice and equity in all aspects of societal development. The World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons and the Standard Rules on Equalization of Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities translated the Organization's commitment into an international policy framework, which has been further strengthened by the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, an international legal instrument, to empower persons with disabilities to better their lives and that of their communities around the world. The United Nations and the global community continue to work for the mainstreaming of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and development. Although many commitments have been made to include disability and persons with disabilities in development, the gap between policy and practice continues. Ensuring that persons with disabilities are integrated into all development activities is essential in order to achieve internationally agreed development goals, such as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs can only be achieved if persons with disabilities and their family members are included. This in turn will ensure that people with disabilities and their family members benefit from international development initiatives. Efforts to achieve the MDGs and implement the Convention are interdependent and mutually reinforcing. Important Tool for Action: Community-Based Rehabilitation (CBR) a bridge between policy and practice: A thriving approach to integrate persons with disabilities in development that is practiced in over 90 countries around the world is community-based rehabilitation (CBR). CBR is part of the general community-development strategy intended to reduce poverty, equalize opportunities and involve individuals with disabilities in society. CBR is a flexible, dynamic and adaptable strategy to different socio-economic conditions, terrain, cultures and political systems throughout the world. It includes access to health care, education, livelihood, community participation and inclusion. Empowerment of disabled people and their family members are key components of a good CBR programme. Through community action it serves to empower persons with disabilities (individually and within groups) to realize their rights and promote respect for their inherent dignity, ensuring that they have the same rights and opportunities as other community members. This year, new ideas and options may be further explored as to how CBR can be used as a tool in operationalizing the Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (CRPD). Inclusive MDGs and similar national legislations highlight the crucial importance of the inclusion and participation of persons with disabilities and their contributions in the development of their societies. Take Action: A major focus of the Day is practical action to further implement international norms and standards concerning persons with disabilities and to further their participation in social life and development on the basis of equality. The media have especially important contributions to make in support of the observance of the Day - and throughout the year - regarding appropriate presentation of progress and obstacles implementing disability-sensitive policies, programmes and projects and to promote public awareness of the contributions by persons with disabilities to the development of their communities. Global Commemoration of International Day of Persons with Disabilities: There are activities taking place all over the world. Information on activities commemorating this special day can be found on www.un.org
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Free Downloads! RINGTONE: If you have WAP access on your cellphone, you simply have to join the supporters of Epilepsy South Africa and fans of the Jo Ellis Band in receiving the free download of the song "Sister!" This inspirational song was written and produced by Jo Ellis with his band, Jo is the brother of Zaan Ellis, the drummer who lives an inspirational life, overcoming the obstacle that epilepsy presents! Go to: http://www.mobiles24.com/ (Note that registration is free and you will have to register to download the song - only available for 24hours) FREE CD: The Jo Ellis Band supports Epilepsy South Africa by sharing a message about epilepsy at all their performances. Zaan lives with epilepsy and proves that a person with epilepsy can live a "normal" life and enjoy it. They have made both their albums available for free download and we invite you to follow the links to enjoy the drumming! Go to www.joellis.co.za follow the link to Free downloads and streams on the right!
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A short story of inspiration to Teens or the Adventurous at heart: Kai Fitchen is an inspirational young man that summited Kilimanjaro for Epilepsy South Africa Western Cape and for himself (Picture included). We kicked off 2009 with a very exiting event. Kai Fitchen successfully summited Mt. Kilimanjaro on Saturday 03 January. For those of you that have not been following the story, Kai is a young boy with epilepsy and his dream was to climb to the highest peak in Africa to show that obstacles can be overcome, no matter what...He is currently part of the editorial team that writes articles for the organisation's bi-annual Epinews. Kai and his family play a big part in fighting the stigma with us. We are extremely proud of Kai who has officially put Epilepsy South Africa on the map! Congratulations Kai, you are a true inspiration to others. A special invitation to teens : Watch the following clip and "Take charge of the facts!"
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Some people with epilepsy are making our lives better.  If you have traveled the roads of Cape Town, benefited from the programmes presented by Epilepsy South Africa, read Brainstorm or previous editions of Epinews, you have been affected by the hand of Tim De Villiers. Tim is the current Chairperson of Epilepsy South Africa National Office and a successful traffic engineer at Cape Town Municipality. Tim is also a person living with epilepsy and managing his condition so well that he has done the Argus Cycle Tour more than 10 times. Mountain biking and extreme sports are also some of his favorite activities, but the list is topped by his beautiful wife sharing these things with him. She agrees with us that Tim is a hard worker doing everything with passion until completed. He simply does not give up. Tim is also the chairperson of Epicare - a support group for people living with or affected by epilepsy and single-handedly motivates hundreds of people with his Brainstorm newsletter on a monthly basis. He recently stated "You get out what you put in!" - a philosophy he lives by as we have seen evidence of. Thank you for your support and guidance in helping people to "Change obstacles into true potential!" Tim, we acknowledge you as our special advocate on this International Day for People with a Disability. What a mighty man!
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Surfs up, and nothing is down for Pieter Walser! Another one of the organisation's heroes is Pieter Walser - a winemaker and businessman with brilliant sales strategies and mottos. Pieter shames bystanders whether on a surfboard or cycling his way to vineyards in the Cape Winelands. He was diagnosed with epilepsy only a few years ago and decided to "get right back out there" and overcame the obstacles presented to him and his family. He is a proud husband and father of two beautiful kids. Two of Pieter's wines were recently selected by Woolworths to become an in-store wine. While this is an achievement in itself, the Parlotones also added to his repertoire by requesting his hand in a wine with their label. They are already working on a second wine to follow on the first (The Boss). Read all about this on his homepage at www.blankbottle.co.za. Walk with him through his days and see that he is a "normal" person that only works very hard. Thank you for your support and donations Pieter, your motivation is spread through Cape Town and your story told all over the world. (Picture included was authorized for use by Thys Lombard)
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Join in our daily chatter! * If you have access to social media tools, you are welcome to drop us a line and talk epilepsy! We are currently featured on Facebook, Twitter and have a regular Blog that is updated with relevant news. * Should you be interested in becoming part of our group to receive sms text only messages - please send an email with SMS in the subject line, and include your name, surname and cellphone number in the body. You are welcome to unsubscribe from this service at any time, and are charged normal cellphone rates for replies, but none for receiving our messages. The email can be sent to marketing.no@epilepsy.org.za.
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Before we introduce you to some internationally known advocates for epilepsy kindly sharing their stories on youtube, we urge you to remember that these people are "normal" to those that know them best, although some are seen as famous or specially blessed. - Mark Grunberg from Heroes and the Band from TV, an advocate for his son who lives with epilepsy! - Amy Lee from Evanescence, an advocate for her brother who lives with epilepsy! - Be a hero and talk epilepsy. Share this motivational, informative and viby clip with others. Should you require any assistance or want to share your interest, please contact us at socdev.no@epilepsy.org.za or to contact your local branch of Epilepsy South Africa phone 0860374537. |
SIYB TOT SEMINAR
Front row (left to right): John Dikgale, Bharti Patel, Sonia Monganye, Ivy Masilela, Ouma Shikwambane, Zanemvula Dayimane. Back row (left to right): Solly Mokgata (CEO, SA Federation for Mental Health), James Mkalipi, Goitsemang Mmusi, Ronald Shaw, Abram Sewape, Selby Mkhize, Alpheus Mlombo, Marina Clarke (SIYB Master Trainer) |
Epilepsy South Africa is a founding member of Inclusion South Africa (ISA) along with the South African Federation for Mental Health (SAFMH), Down Syndrome South Africa (DSSA)and Autism South Africa (ASA). One of the aims of this body is the sharing of knowledge and expertise to the benefit of all member organisations. As such, Epilepsy SA and the SAFMH have been in discussion for some time to share skills in terms of entrepreneurial development, resulting in an agreement for the hosting of an SIYB TOT seminar. The seminar was held from 8 to 20 November 2009 at the premises of the SAFMH in Randburg and attended by 12 participants representing various mental health organisations in South Africa. The focus of the seminar was on the development of entrepreneurial trainers within the mental health field. As such, the seminar focused on the development of training and facilitation skills, methods to generate viable business ideas, business plan development and small business management skills. Given the difficulties experienced by people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities to access business funding a module on creating linkages to finance was introduced. As is standard practice during any SIYB TOT seminar, participants were expected to present a 40-minute training session on selected SIYB topics. This allowed participants to plan and execute a training session to evaluate and improve their facilitation skills. Once again, the SIYB Game proved to be extremely popular as it offered participants the opportunity to run small businesses in a simulated environment. Given the fact that many people with mental disabilities have limited academic qualifications and are often not literate or numerate, a decision was taken to include the Vuk'Uzenzele programme. This is an audio-visual programme in three parts used to skill potential and existing entrepreneurs in business management without the literacy and numeracy entry requirements of the SIYB Programme. During the second week of the seminar, participants developed programme designs for implementation in their own areas of operation during the next 12 months, i.e. December 2009 to November 2010. This implementation in the field will serve as a basis for assessment with a view to obtaining accreditation as fully-fledged SIYB Trainers. Epilepsy SA congratulates the SA Federation for Mental Health on this initiative and look forward to further interaction with other disability organisations in terms of entrepreneurial development. |
