Sunday in Hawaii

I slept most of Saturday away, unfortunately.  I tried to get back on this state's schedule but intstead was up most of the night and slept most of the day!  So I used my insomnia time to catch up on U.S. politics.  I listened to the President's State of the Union Address via podcast, which I thought well done, very strong and straight forward.  I was even more impressed by his two hour meeting with House Republicans.  I thought his mastery of responding to their direct questions calmly and intellegently with just the facts was brilliant.  In fact, I thought as I listened to his sharp responses, that we may have elected one of the most intellegent individuals on this planet as our president.  I still can't figure out why Massachusetts voted for an individual that would not continue the legacy of their most beloved Senator -- Edward Kennedy!  How could they elect someone that will not vote for the health and long term care bills for which he dedicated much of his life?  Incidentally, that piece did make news around the world. We read about it in Nepal.

In any case today, Sunday, I managed to wake up at a decent hour and Tammie and Jeremy took me to see their favorite beach: North Shore.  They both said that it is usually calm swimming water in the winter but today the waves were so high, the lifeguard declared the beach a non-swimming beach unless you were an experienced surfer or swimmer with fins.  In fact, we watched a lifeguard bring someone in, who could not do so, by himself.  We did get in the water a little, though, and it was relaxing to finally be on a sunny beach.

A scene from the North Shore

Enjoying a relaxing day on the beach with Jeremy and Tammie

Tammie said my trip would not be complete without getting shaved ice from Matsumoto.

They also indulged the tourist by stopping the car so that I could take a picture of the pineapples growing in the ground.  Did you know it takes 18 months for one pineapple to ripen?

Tonight we are going out to dinner at Waikiki Beach.  By now, Dr. McCormick should have arrived in Hawaii from Delaware.  We are meeting early in the morning for class with the students at the Center for Disability Studies at the University of Hawaii (one of our UCEDDs).

Friday: Arrival in Hawaii

We are back in the U.S.A.!  I think everyone is a happy and relieved even though we had a great trip to so many exotic places.  It's always nice to return home.  My friend and colleague, Tammie Picklesimer, greeted us at the airport with Hawaii leis. We arrived at about 7 a.m. on Friday, the same day we left!  We had gained a whole day by crossing the international dateline.

It was another long trip starting with a 3 a.m. wake up call to get to the airport in Bangkok for a 6:30 a.m. flight to Tokyo.  Most of us slept during the 4.5 hour flight.  During our 5 hour layover in Tokyo, most of the students ate sushi and worked on their papers or began preparing for their presentations in Hawaii.  Students will present on teams and will choose a theme for a comparative analysis of the countries we visited.  For example, one team will analyze and compare how religion in the different countries impact how people with disabilities are viewed and served.  Another group is choosing to analyze the impact of poverty on disability.  The students will be presenting these topics to disability studies students and faculty a the Center for Disability Studies on Wednesday.

Students working hard in the Tokyo airport to finish papers and begin working on their final project.

We will have the weekend off to check out the beaches.  Some students mentioned looking into sky diving or snorkeling adventures.  I am staying with Tammie and her friend Jeremy.  I'm just happy to not be in a plane or hotel and to be able to take a nice shower, do laundry and relax with a cup of coffee.

Here's Tammie's house and view from the back yard.

Thursday in Bangkok: Grand Palace

Today is my birthday!  Last night the students took me out to celebrate (there are incriminating pictures to prove it!).  We went to Kao Sahn road where many travelling students hang out and went dancing.  We had a great time.  Thanks everyone!

It's been odd to experience an exact 12 time difference. I woke up listening to BBC world news discussing the State of the Union address that would take place in an hour. 

Today a group of us visited the Grand Palace where theThai King once lived and now where state functions and coronations take place. Bhiman Inn managing director and new friend, Nayana Kunjara, graciously accompanied us and arranged a private tour! We were all amazed at the stunning gold, marble, porcelain buildings and statues.  I took many pictures. Here are some:

Laura, Erik, and Nayana

Famous reclining Buddha

Finally, back at the Bhiman Inn for lunch: Thai soup, Chicken Satay, mango salad and pineapple coconut juice.

It's a hot day today. Very humid.  Some students are swimming in the pool.  All of us are peparing for our next journey to Hawaii.  We have to leave at 3:30 a.m. to go the airport for a 6:50 flight to Tokyo.  We have a 3 hour layover then a seven hour flight to Honolulu.  See you in Hawaii!

Wednesday in Bangkok: Floating markets

Erik and Laura on the boat

Today we went on an unplanned and really fun excursion to Damnern Saduak, about 80K outside of Bangkok. Our new friend, Khun Wilairut from Ratchasude College, accompanied us to shop on the so-called “floating markets”.

One of the boat markets selling goods

We got into canal boats that took us along the canal where canal residents sell their goods along the canal. It’s a fantastic tourist trap but it was good fun and allowed us to buy some nice hand-made craft items to take home with us as gifts. There were silk products, Teak wood crafts, Chinese fans, Thai hats, among many other items, and lots of different fruits and vegetables. I enjoyed a fresh coconut that was very sweet (Alec, much sweeter than the one we tried from the market at home!). We also tried fresh mango, rose apples, pineapple, and some sugary products made from coconut.

Fresh coconut! Yum!

After visiting the market, Khun Wilairut took us to a small restaurant for lunch and helped us order some delicious local food. Upon our return, we had class discussion about our thoughts on Thailand then the rest of the day we were free. Some of us went for Thai massages or manicures, others went shopping or touring around the neighborhood. For your information, Thai massages are not the sports massages that I am accustomed to though; they are kind of rough!

Tomorrow is our last day in Thailand and our last day before reentering the U.S.! Several of us plan to visit the Royal Palace and the Thailand history museum.

Uncle Art, if you are following my blog, I have really enjoyed Bangkok. The people are very nice. My only regret is that I didn't get to see more of the country side.

Tuesday in Bangkok: Ratchasude college and autism center

There was a little sign welcoming the University of Delaware students at the front door when we arrived at Ratchasude College for the Disabled at the Mahidol University. I was particularly interesting in thie site visit since it was the first opportunity to see how another country offers post-secondary education to pwd. After getting settled we heard a lecture by Pimpa Kachondham, Dean of the college. From her we learned that the college was founded in 1993 by Princess Mahachakri Sirindhorn, who became interested in the plight of people with disabilities after travelling throughout Thailand and realizing that pwd were denied educatoinal opportuntities and were not participating in the community. The college began receiving students in 1997. The first academic program was for graduate students majoring in rehabilitation counseling. Undergraduate education in deaf studies was opened in 2000. The school is dedicated to providing quality teaching, research, and services. It also offers courses that take an interdisciplinary approach to working with people in a variety of social services, a mission similar to my own organization (AUCD).

Laura and I with faculty in front of mural of Princess Mahachakri

According to Ms. Kachondham, Thailand has two major laws that impact pwd: The Persons with Disabilities Empowerment Act of 2007 and the National Education Act. The Empowerment Act is a comprehensive rights-based law with strong anti-discrimination language. It includes sections dealing with medical rehabilitation, social rehabilitation, education and vocational rehabilitation. Under employment, Thailand requires that private and public businesses hire one person with a disability per 50 hired – a quota. In reality, however, Ms. Kachondham said that it is hard to enforce. Can you imagine if the U.S. suggested a quota for hiring pwd?! We were also informed that just last month, Thailand won a legislative victory when a law passed requiring people with disabilities get a free post-secondary education!

I was impressed by the fact that Thailand has universal health care that includes early intervention for ages 0-3. After digging deeper though through questions, it appears that the highly qualified professionals to diagnose and treat pwd is in short supply. Education is also free for 15 years and pwd are supposed to be fully included. However, again, the implementation still has a long way to go. We heard from the college and from interviews with individuals yesterday at DPI that many individuals with disabilities do not get any education and are kept at home. The college representatives also confirmed that regular school teachers are already overwhelmed with large classroom sizes and are not well equipped to teach diverse learners. The need for professional development has definitely been a key theme throughout our travels.

observing class of deaf students

After Pad Thai lunch generously provided by the college, we toured the classrooms and were able to observe deaf classes and people who are blind taking computer class. The college focuses on people who are deaf or blind but now accepts all disabilities. Only a few have intellectual disabilities but they are welcomed.

In the afternoon, we visited the Autism Vocational Centre not far from the Mahidol University. There we saw adults with autism working on beaded jewelry, crafts, and music training. The Center is small and was founded by a couple with a son with autism who is now an adult receiving services at the Center. We saw about 25 individuals receiving services. The couple founded the Center but also received funding and support from the Royal family who had a son with autism. Tragically, he died during the Tsunami but pictures of him are found all over the center in his memory.

Man at Autism Centre playing an instrument for us

The parent representative gave a nice overview of the situation for people with autism in Thailand that mirrors that in the U.S. That is, the numbers are growing and their understanding of autism is growing. From the discussion, I would surmise, however, that many individuals in the spectrum are not getting diagnosed early nor are there enough professionals to provide effective interventions. The Center described teachers getting some training that they then use to train parents to provide the interventions. Still, their passion and commitment reminded me of the dedication we saw in the Nepal parents who founded an autism center as well as the passion of the two dedicated women in Dubai who founded the early childhood center.

Autism Centre

In the evening, Laura, Erik and I took an hour-long boat tour down the canals lined with small charming homes (huts really).

On our river boat. Hi Alec and Carter!

one of the beautiful temples on the riverboat cruise at sunset

Canal houses

Buddhist monks on the canal feeding the fish. 

The catfish in the canals have a religious importance and are not eaten and well fed and fat!

Monday in Bangkok: Disabled Peoples' International

Monday, January 25, 2010

The visit with Disabled Peoples’ International was fantastic today. We heard from two dynamic representatives from DPI: Ms. Saowalak Thongkuay, Regional Development Officer and Mr. Sawang Srisom, Assistant Development Officer.

The Students and Staff of DPI

Ms. Saawalak gave us a really comprehensive overview of the disability situation in the Asian-Pacific Region. After visiting mostly smaller national singly disability organizations, it was nice to have a presentation that was more global. For example, she talked about causes of disabilities in developing countries in general (not just Thailand), such as inadequate nutrition, infection and disease, water quality, accidents armed conflict, terrorism and landmines. She also covered the triple discrimination faced by women with disabilities and the overall impact of poverty not just in terms of lack of basic necessities but also lack of the poverty of opportunities and human rights for pwd in developing countries (monetary versus non-monetary poverty). She also gave a nice overview of the timeline and summary of international steps that led to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) (the first draft was written in Bangkok!). I also appreciated the way she directly involved the students in discussion instead of just presenting to them. She is very knowledgeable and engaging. Thanks to my friend David Morrissey of the USICP for referring her to us!

Mr. Srisom covered Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) - another aspect that had not yet been covered during our travels. He reviewed what is meant by ICT and why it is so important to pwd as well as the international measures that support ICT such as the Tokyo Declaration and Action Plan, the Biwako Millennium Framework and the World Summit on Information Society (WSIS). It was really fascinating.

Following the professional presentations, the students had the opportunity to interview Thai citizens with disabilities. They asked many interesting questions. I look forward to reading their writing assignments after these visits.

When we arrived back at our hotel we were happy to see Danielle who had spent the night at a local hospital. She just had a virus; however, that combined with travelling and dehydration had made her symptoms worse than they otherwise would have been had she been home in Delaware in bed!

Mat and John playing in the pool - trying to drag me in actually...

After our visits, some of the students went swimming in the little pool at our hotel. Others were headed for a canal boat tour. Laura, Erik, and I went on a tour-book walking tour of our neighborhood: Banglamphu. Banglamphu is old Bangkok and contains many of the temples (wats) and other major attractions, including the Wat Bowonniet, Democracy Monument, and Wat Ratchandatda. As you might expect, we saw many giant golden statues and images of Buddha and the temples have the typical Thai or Indian golden and intricate painted rooftops. More interesting to me was the monk university and residency. It is the headquarters for the Thammayut monastic sect, a reformed version of Buddhism. Several of the royal family studied as monks at this particular monastery. We observed several young Buddhists with shaved heads and bright ochre robes doing daily chores.

We ended our tour in a neighborhood near Khao San road, famous as a popular destination for backpackers. The streets are crowded with vendors, restaurants with outdoor seating, weary travelers getting foot massages or fish foot massages (people stick their feet into water filled with little fish that swim between their toes!). We had typical Thai food. I had Chicken Satay with peanut sauce and rice (yum).

Khao San road at night

Tomorrow we visit Ratchasuda College for the Disabled and an autism center. I have to go to bed. We have to get up early again and I’m tired.

Sunday: Arrival in Bangkok

We arrived in Bangkok early this morning… exhausted. Although our two flights were relatively short (1 and 4 hours), we had an eight hour layover in Delhi, India; and without visas the airport officials would not let us into the main air terminals. This meant we had to spend 8 hours in a very small area with no books stores or restaurants to keep us distracted. 

Students crash while waiting for everyone to get through customs

Unfortunately, one student did not feel well. She flu-like symptoms. By the time we were in the air it had gotten even worse. As soon as we got to Bangkok, Laura went with her to be checked out at a hospital where they kept her overnight for tests and to provide fluids. We are all hoping she gets well soon so that she can rejoin the group events.

After a quick breakfast at the hotel many of us crashed for a couple hours to make up for a complete night’s sleep lost. We had class outside on a patio adjacent to the hotel restaurant, then most of us, including me, ventured out to check out our immediate surroundings. We are right on the Chao Phraya River and truly close to many tourist sites like ancient monuments of various kings. I wandered down a pedestrian street filled with people shopping, drinking, and eating. I found a used bookstore to buy a lonely planet guide to Bangkok and sat down with a “Singha” and watched people go by. I happened upon father and daughter travelers from the U.K. who told me tales of their adventures in Calcutta India and Cambodia. I shared our stories from Ghana, Dubai, and Nepal. They suggested our next UD trip should be in Cambodia, where a large population are disabled from landmines. Instead of wheelchairs, they have those little platforms with wheels used to get underneath a care. They said in India, the people with disabilities they saw didn’t even have that and they got “used to” seeing starving people living in the streets.

Our hotel “Bhinman Inn” (see earlier blog with more details and link) is quite a step up from Hotel Buddha in Nepal. The hotel features hot showers, electricity, breakfast with food choices, and even a TV. There is no free WiFi but they have a hotel computer with internet that they allow guest to use for 15 mins per day (yippee!). Oh, and there is a small pool out back!

Bhiman Inn

Tomorrow, we have site a site visit with Disabled Persons International (DPI) for the Asian Pacific Region. One of its representatives will brief us on the situation in Thailand for people with disabilities. I am looking forward to it.

Last day in Nepal: Trekking

Hey there! this is me blogging at the Manang Hotel... where the internet connection is the fastest... and they have a generater!

It's Saturday morning here.  We are leaving for Thailand at Noon.  Yesterday we went on a fabulous hike in the mountains.  I took 100 pictures but can only share a few below for now.

But first I want to say Happy Birthday to my wonderful father!  My sisters are gathering at his house to celebrate tonight.  I will be in the Dehli airport waiting for our next flight, but I will be thinking of you Dad! I love you.

Here are pictures of our 3 hour 7K trek led by our tour guide and friend, Tek Khakural of Les Portes de Adventures.  We first toured a World Heritage site, Changu Nayaran, the oldest Hindu temple in the valley, and then from there, a hike through the foothills and several villages to the little town of Nagarkot.

Can you see the white caps? as usual the smog often blurs the view of these beautiful mountains.

Amy found some friends along the way.  They were asking for "Bon Bons" - candy

At the end of the hike, we were able to see the sun setting over the mountains. My little camera can't capture the beauty but here's my best shot.

At the end of hike everyone was pretty tired.  Most of the students slept in the bus on the way back to the city.

Laura, Erik and I were honored to join Dr. Kafle, Krishna (the father of son with autism we met), Tek (our tour guide) for dinner.  Dr. Kafle introduced us to a cafe owned and run by people who are deaf! Our waiter was very entertaining. It was a wonderful going away dinner. We will miss our new friends.

Gotta go and pack now.  We have a long layover in Delhi, India.  See you in Thailand!

To my sweet little boys, Alec and Carter.  I miss you and love you all the way to the moon and back.

Mommy