Chris Infotainment

The experience of perceiving the world is deeply personal, shaped by individual senses and memories. In a recent performance, a Chilean actor named Ebana Garin posed a thought-provoking question: “To me, the blue of the sky is the color of solitude and nostalgia, homesickness. What color is your nostalgia?” This question was met with a response from Hilda Snipper, a Dutch amateur actor who has only 1% of her visual ability remaining. She replied, “When I hear the word nostalgia, I recall purple velvet curtains and the smell of dust.” Their exchange highlighted how two individuals can look at the same landscape yet perceive it in entirely different ways. In a society that often prioritizes sight as the most valuable sense, the act of “seeing” is frequently equated with truth and understanding. However, this assumption may not hold true. A recent play titled Last Hope , performed at the Modu Art Theater in Chungjeongno, Seoul, challenged these preconceptions and explored the power of e...

Controversial Remarks by Park Min-young Spark Debate Park Min-young, a media spokesperson for the People Power Party, has found himself at the center of a heated controversy following remarks that targeted Kim Yea-ji, a re-elected proportional representative from the same party who is visually impaired. Park’s comments have raised concerns about the treatment of individuals with disabilities within political circles. During an appearance on a YouTube program, Park criticized Kim Yea-ji, questioning why she sought nomination from the People Power Party despite rejecting its policies. He suggested that she viewed her disability as a given rather than embracing her identity as a person with a disability. Park claimed that Kim was violating party policy and expressed frustration over the allocation of proportional representation seats to people with disabilities. He stated, “The issue is that too many people with disabilities are allocated to proportional representation.” Park went furt...

Empowering Young People with Special Needs in Kimberley A significant event is set to take place in Kimberley next week, focused on empowering and supporting young people with special needs. The Auto Engage Youth Empowerment Programme (AEYEP), supported by merSETA, will host this gathering on October 15 at the Northern Cape Urban TVET College’s Phatsimang Campus. The event is scheduled to run from 8am to 2pm. Organizers anticipate more than 1,000 participants, including learners, youth, educators, employers, industry stakeholders, government departments, public entities, and organizations representing the disability sector. This diverse group of attendees highlights the importance of the event in fostering collaboration and support for individuals with special needs. The programme will feature several inspiring speakers who will address various aspects of inclusion and empowerment. Jace Nair from Blind SA will speak about the rights of blind and partially sighted people. Brendon Msa...

Proposed Changes to Social Security Disability Benefits Spark Concern A new report has revealed that the Trump administration is considering significant changes to how individuals qualify for Social Security disability benefits. These potential modifications could have far-reaching consequences for older Americans who rely on these benefits. According to sources, the proposed plan aims to alter the criteria used to assess eligibility for disability payments. The current system evaluates applicants based on their age, education, and work experience, with older individuals typically having a higher chance of approval due to the assumption that they face greater difficulty transitioning to new jobs. The proposed changes suggest that age might no longer be a factor in determining eligibility or that the threshold for considering age could be raised to 60 years. This shift could impact hundreds of thousands of Americans, particularly those over 50 who have historically been more likely t...

Distribution of Assistive Devices in Punjab The Provincial Minister for Social Welfare and Baitul Mal, Sohail Shaukat Butt, has revealed that a significant number of assistive devices have been distributed to individuals in need across the province. According to the latest update, a total of 6,408 devices have been handed out so far. These include a wide range of items designed to support mobility, communication, and daily living activities. Among the devices distributed are 2,066 assistant-controlled wheelchairs, which are specifically designed for individuals who require assistance in operating the wheelchair. Another 1,995 active-use wheelchairs have been provided to those who can independently manage their mobility. The distribution also includes 902 pediatric wheelchairs, ensuring that children with disabilities have access to appropriate mobility solutions. In addition to wheelchairs, the program has also included 709 white canes for visually impaired individuals, 217 tricycle...

A Journey of Resilience and Rebirth At just 12 years old, Boluwatife Arowolaje's life took a dramatic turn when a kerosene lantern explosion left her with severe burns. As she reflects on that day, the years of medical treatment, the stigma she faced, and her determination to rebuild her confidence and pursue her dreams, it becomes clear that her story is one of strength and resilience. Who Is Boluwatife Beyond the Scars? Boluwatife, now 25, hails from Oyo State. She studied Science Laboratory Technology at Lagos State Polytechnic, where she completed her National Diploma. However, due to financial challenges, she hasn't been able to return for her Higher National Diploma. Currently, she focuses on makeup artistry, which has become both a passion and a career. In addition, she runs a small short-let apartment business to support herself. The Day That Changed Everything The incident occurred in Ijoko, Ogun State. At the time, Boluwatife was 12 years old, full of life, unawa...

A Family's Struggle Against Eviction in a Retirement Home Shahidul Haque, a 59-year-old Bangladeshi man who receives disability benefits, is fighting to stay in a retirement home with his wife and twin daughters. He claims that evicting his family would violate his rights under the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), specifically Article 8, which protects the right to a private and family life. Haque moved into a single-room flat at David Smith Court, a complex reserved for residents over the age of 55, in July 2024. However, just five months later, he brought his 28-year-old wife, Jakia Sultana Monni, and their three-year-old daughters into the property. He says he didn’t realize this was against the rules because he doesn’t speak enough English to understand the tenancy agreement. The situation has led to conflict with other residents, who have complained about "excess noise" and "anti-social behaviour" from the family. The children have been pullin...

A Teenager’s Struggle with EasyJet Over Wheelchair Battery A 14-year-old boy from Liverpool, Anthony Higgins, also known as AJ, was left in tears after being forced to leave his wheelchair battery behind on an EasyJet flight from Disneyland Paris. The incident has sparked outrage and highlighted the challenges faced by individuals with disabilities when traveling. AJ suffers from Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a progressive genetic disorder that causes muscle weakness and leaves him unable to walk. He had recently returned from a three-day trip to Disneyland Paris, funded by the Make A Wish Foundation. This was supposed to be a dream come true for him, but the journey back home turned into a nightmare. The family, including AJ’s mother Melissa Higgins and her partner Christopher Harvey, were flying from Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris to Manchester when the problem arose. According to Melissa, a pilot refused to allow the £1,000 wheelchair battery on board, claiming the wattage was...

New Opportunities for Persons with Disabilities in Sri Lanka Persons with disabilities in Sri Lanka are now set to gain greater mobility and independence as they can apply for driving licenses under new provisions. This significant development was announced by Parliamentarian Sugath Wasantha de Silva, who highlighted the removal of long-standing barriers that previously prevented individuals with hearing or speech impairments, as well as those with partial visual capacity, from obtaining licenses. The move follows years of discussions aimed at ensuring that the country’s 1.6 million people living with disabilities can fully participate in society. MP de Silva, who also serves on the advisory committee to the Ministry of Transport, emphasized that one of the main challenges had been the lack of proper medical certification and the absence of vehicle adaptations for various physical conditions. He noted that over 400,000 hearing and speech-impaired citizens have already demonstrated t...

KEMSA's Commitment to Assistive Technology in Kenya The Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA) has reaffirmed its dedication to making assistive technology (AT) devices more accessible, affordable, and available to all Kenyans. This commitment is rooted in the belief that access to such technologies is a fundamental human right, essential for dignity and social justice. At the 2025 Devolution Conference held in Homa Bay County, themed “Advancing Human Rights and Social Justice through Assistive Technology and Rehabilitation Services,” KEMSA Chief Executive Officer Waqo Dulacha emphasized the importance of inclusion within the health supply chain. He stressed that no Kenyan should be left behind in the quest for equitable access to healthcare services. Dulacha highlighted that several legal frameworks, including the Constitution of Kenya, the Persons with Disabilities Act, 2025, and the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, recognize access to assistive tech...

A New Era for Persons with Disabilities in Kenya The signing of the Persons with Disabilities Act by President William Ruto on May 8 marks a pivotal moment for Kenyans with disabilities. This legislation represents a significant step forward in fostering inclusion and ensuring that the rights of individuals with disabilities are protected, promoted, and monitored effectively. The new Act aligns closely with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, setting a strong foundation for future progress. Key Rights Established by the Act Part III of the Act outlines the comprehensive rights of persons with disabilities, expanding upon the Bill of Rights in the Constitution. It operationalizes Article 54, which was not explicitly addressed in the previous constitutional framework. The Act recognizes critical rights such as legal capacity, equality, freedom from discrimination, the right to marry and form a family, privacy, physical and mental integrity, human ...