Analyn V. Porras
Don’t listen to what you can’t do. Listen to that voice deep within you.Just like other kids, I was born physically healthy and active, enjoying every activity that a physically normal child does. Not until I reached the age of 4 when I was infected with polio virus causing both of my legs to become paralyzed. It wasn’t easy for me to adapt to such a strange condition that I wasn’t used to.
It was a big turn around in my life as a child. However, because of the affection, love and care of my parents, family and playmates, I was able to gain feeling of acceptance which contributed a lot in building up my self confidence. And I felt my life turned out to be normal again despite the physical difference.
At the age of 6, I started to go to school. But since I cannot walk, my Mom would just carry me to and from, for me to be able to attend classes until I learned to use a crutch and a cane to facilitate my mobility. At school or even at new places where my Mom would bring me along, I experienced to be laughed at, treated differently and even ridiculed by other kids. It really felt so downhearted. But I realized, I should not wallow into self pity, instead I should remind myself that God created me special and I can excel in my own special way. Modesty side, I was always on top of the class and graduated as Class Valedictorian in high school.
With my earnest aspirations to earn a degree, I applied for scholarship at Saint Anthony’s College-Antique and finally granted full scholarship sponsored by Stichting Liliane Fonds (SLF) for my Bachelor of Science in (BS) Management course. After finishing the course, I enrolled for a second course BS Accountancy at Colegio de San Jose- Iloilo City after passing the qualifications for the Japan Scholarship fund for the ASEAN Youth Program (JSFAYP).
While in college, I’ve been one of the active members of Association of Disabled Persons-Iloilo (ADP-I) and also ADP-Antique. I learned a lot of things being exposed with my fellow Persons with Disability (PWDs) in the association. Through the trainings, seminars, social activities and programs initiated by the association has been a great help for a PWD like me to develop our talents and self-esteem so as to understand our roles and responsibilities in the mainstream of society in particular.
After graduation in college, I left for Manila for my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) board exams but unfortunately, I’ve got some financial difficulty that time so I just decided to work as volunteer at HAndog LIngap sa may KApansanan (HALIKA) Foundation-Manila as Special Project Officer. I used to work there for almost a year.
Seeking for financial stability, I started to hunt jobs in different companies in Manila, private and public sectors. In the employment arena, one thing I always believe wholeheartedly: “ My disability does not define the person that I am – I am intelligent and hardworking individual. I should be the first one to believe in my capabilities before other people would trust in my capabilities”.
My persistence and preparations in my job search was finally paid off with flying colors! I was more than fortunate to be hired by Globe Telecom, Inc. for a Customer Service Assistant position that up to now, receiving full benefits and compensated income to live pretty normal as anybody else. I love my job! I’ve got the chance to deal with different people of different levels, giving them excellent customer service experience…and it’s always good!
Another thing, I wanted to share: “When you fail, get back up and try again. Don’t listen to what you can’t do. Listen to that voice deep within you, it knows, when you’ve done your best”.
FELY S. RUELO
(ADP-I Member)
Type of Disability: ORTHOPEDICALLY HANDICAP (due to Poliomyelites)
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