For about five days two weeks back, I suffered a debilitating pain on my groin caused by erstwhile unknown reasons. I could only surmise that it was a hernia brought about by an intense physical activity during training for a mountaineering course. A couple of trips to the doctor soon revealed that the pain was caused by urinary tract infection…at least based on the countless tests I had undergone.
The doctor presrcibed mild antibiotics as cure. Seven days later and I was back at 100 percent…with pus count at 0-2.
The pain was so intense that it could not be placed out of mind. I was almost bed-ridden because the pain increased two-fold while standing. I was, for a few days, disabled…not able to make 100 percent use of my body.
During this ordeal, it got me thinking about people with physical disabilities who had gone beyond the hindrances of their situation. Then I remember a field trip to Tahanang Walang Hagdan back as a grade schooler in Don Bosco Makati. Countless stories appear in the media about personal victories against personal barricades. And many, if not all, of Tahanang Walang Hagdan’s beneficiaries attest to the human will to go beyond limits.
A quick internet research revealed that the iconic organization is in fact a branch of a Sydney-based NGO of the same mission. In fact, Tahanang Walang Hagdan, Inc.’s name is loosely based on House With No Steps founded in 1962.
House With No Steps was founded by Lionel Watts in 1962 as a self-help and fundraising organisation to address the needs of people with disabilities so that they could take an active position in the community.
A true visionary; he dreamt of pathways that would make the most of people’s abilities so that they could be as independent as possible, participate in gainful employment, develop their skills and further their education and training.
Building on this dream over the past 45 years, House With No Steps has developed into a diverse and highly effective organisation that continues to take a person-centred, strengths-based approach to making the most of people’s abilities.
1962- Founded by Lionel Watts
1964- Built Recreational Sports Club at Narrabeen, Sydney
1966- Opened stage 1 of Head Office in Belrose, Sydney; Established fundraising offices in Newcastle and Wollongong
1968- Service established in Alstonville, Northern NSW
1970- Service established in Forbes, Western NSW
1973- Branch opened in Manilla, Philippines
Visit their websites to know more about Tahanang Walang Hagdan and House With No Steps.
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