"Not SYMPATHY, but EQUALITY"

"What we want is not your sympathy, but equality"

Until today, many more days and maybe even until I die I will remember this word from one of my oku's friends. Many not know but compared to the others, I have known them for almost one years since I was in semester 1. So when our group was assigned to do social engagement related to disabled people, I become so happy because I can spend more time with them, with my friends. 

I'm not going to talk about all the events because I think all have been explained by the others. What I'm going to tell is my story before and after knowing my oku's friends. At the beginning, I also have the same feeling with you guys. The feeling of not knowing how to interact with them, feeling scared to approach them, thinking how to treat them...but why??? They are also human being. Like us. Same with us. Even equal with us. The difference is the type of disability. They have a physical disability with more ability behind it. While us...also have other disability behind our perfect physical. 

Becoming their friends is the most beautiful moment for me in this college. Not all people have this opportunity. We are so lucky living in seven residential college because we can help them and becoming their friends. Be their friends, then you will know how to help and understand them. One thing that I always teach myself is to help the disabled with the ability that we have. They should be treated equally, understood and their rights respected.

Thanks for reading,

Azifa Amien (Dayang)