Beggars described as people with ‘real’ disability

National

PEOPLE walking around aimlessly and begging on streets are being described by a district administrator as “people with real disability”.
Bulolo district chief executive Tae Gwambelek said people roaming around streets without purpose, and not contributing anything to the community and society were living with disability.
“Those not productive, contributing nothing to the community while roaming aimlessly and causing problems for others are the real disabled people and not those with physical disability. They are disabled because they are not doing anything good to society,” Gwambelek said.
“People without respect and not thinking properly are living with disability. They walk around streets aimlessly, swear at others, making nuisance of themselves and causing problems.”
He said some people with disabilities had a profession and contributed meaningfully to communities they were in. “Most people with disability are professionals and have contributed so much to the development of this country,” he said.
He said that although they used assistive devices such as wheelchairs, clutches and canes, they had a formal job while others owned businesses. Gwambelek urged communities to make a disability inclusive society and to end all forms of violence against people with physical impairment.
“Everyone must make commitment. Make a sacrificial commitment personally and collectively as a community for an inclusive society, by ending violence against PWDs. They are more vulnerable and are always falling victims to violence and abuses.”