Autumn Foliage More Beautiful Than Flower, People More Beautiful Than Flower

Under the autumn sky widely spread without a single cloud, a meaningful event, which breaks the walls of discrimination and prejudice between the disabled and the normal, was held. Hosted by the Hope Sharing Club and presided by the Gimhae Branch of Korea Culture Association for the Disabled, “The 2nd Wheelchairs Walkathon” was held at Ilwon, Sureungwon, Bonghwang-dong, Gimhae-si, Gyeongsnagbuk-do with 600 participants.

The purpose of this walkathon was to improve the social perception on the disabled and promote the mutual understanding between the two, so that they can naturally get along together. Also they hoped that the necessity of designated road for wheelchairs would be known to the public. In this walkathon, about 250 volunteers from the IWF, the severely or mildly disabled people from all the nation, and general citizens participated and encouraged the disabled.

Gimhae Branch Manager Kim Jin-mo said, “As the saying goes that mental disability is worse than physical disability, I hope that the healthy spirit of the disabled will not be hurt by discrimination or prejudice of society. If the disabled and non-disabled live in harmony, this world will be more beautiful. I wish non-disabled people to have more understanding and warmhearted attitudes towards the disabled people.”

The IWF members in blue shirts helped the disabled by driving the wheelchairs, serving meals and cleaning up the event place. The MC Ha Yong-han (who is a pop music columnist and the Busan traffic broadcasting DJ as well) blessed the volunteers, saying, “You, who are helping the disabled wholeheartedly, are the heroes of today. God will bless you abundantly.”

The wheelchair walkathon offered plentiful events: walking with wheelchairs, animal parade, folk music performance, science experience, face painting, recreation, wheelchair sports dance, and talent show from the disabled and so on. In the walkathon the Gimhae City Mayor Kim Jong-gan, Lawmaker Kim Jeong-gwon including other regional public figures took part and encouraged the disabled and the volunteers. The Mayor Kim said, “I appreciate the efforts of the volunteers from the Intl. We Love U Foundation. Seeing the voluntary participation of the citizens, I feel Gimhae city has improved a lot. I truly give thanks to you again on behalf of 470,000 Gimhae citizens.”

An Geun-hyo (37), one of the disabled, joyfully said, “I hesitated between watching baseball game and participating in this walkathon, and decided to join this event. Now I think my choice was right. The autumn weather is wonderful and the volunteers are making me feel comfortable, too.” Lee Yeong-sik (52) who is disabled said, “It’s impossible for me to go out alone. Today, I’m happy to be able to see the autumn trees, feel the fresh air, hear the noisy of the children, and have a companion to talk with.”

The foundation member Jeong Yun-hee pleased participants around her by saying, “I was happy to be able to help a disabled man who was just like my own younger brother. From now on, I will actively help the disabled in my daily life and will positively take part in this kind of event as well.” Walking together, both the disabled and the non-disabled enjoyed happiness.