Disability not a hindrance to life’s daily struggles

Selling socks in downtown Cebu City requires many sacrifices for this 25-year-old disabled person from Danao City.

Felix Casamello wanted to have a good job, but no companies would accept him because of his physical condition, forcing him to sell socks along the sidewalk of Colon Street in Cebu City to earn money to support his family.

Casamello has physical deformities on his legs and cannot stand straight.

“Sometimes I feel awkward when people look at me when I walk. I feel like I’m not part of the normal world,” Casamello said.

Things have changed for the better for Casamello when the disabled persons in Danao banded into a group and formed the Heart organization, which is registered in the Department of Labor and Employment.

Casamello left Cebu City and returned to Danao to manage Heart canteen, the first project of the group located in Children’s Paradise.

Employees of the canteen are all disabled who are also members of the organization.

The project was implemented to give members opportunity to earn income despite their physical deformities.

The canteen sells snacks and serves breakfast and lunch to visitors at the park.

It also accepts orders for parties and other occasions.

Casamello doesn’t have good salary in Heart canteen but he earns more than money, which is self-confidence.

“This project helps me develop my confidence and lessen my insecurities. I think I am already on the path to knowing myself better and the purpose of my life in this world,” Casamello said.

Casamello does not think of giving up life despite his physical deformities.

“All of us have second chances. God created us from his own image and likeness. The only dream of God for us is ‘life of abundance and happiness,’” he said.

Casamello believes that God created him special because He has a unique purpose in this world. /STC Masscom student Mae Laurice Y. Mercader