I Will Not Be Broken

Meeting Survivors in Gulu

10/10/2008 5:25:00 PM

by Ricki Weisberg
Survivor Corps Communications Manager

Yesterday we arrived in Gulu in Northern Uganda, the area that has been most affected by the conflict. The ride up was pleasantly uneventful, except for a cool monkey sighting - I am a sucker for monkeys! Today I visited with survivor activists and organizations in Gulu. All of the people I met with have been touched by the war in some way.

Our first stop was the Gulu Disabled Persons Union (GDPU), a local partner of Survivor Corps. I was extremely impressed with the facility and the kindness of the staff. Alfred, the accountant, gave me a tour which included the office for the deaf, the office for the blind, the landmine survivor office and the office for women with disabilities.

Alfred also showed us around the tile making facility on the campus, where I met Jennifer, a landmine survivor. My heart broke for Jennifer. I could see that her prosthetic leg bothered her and she was working so hard at the tile facility, picking up huge chunks of mud and throwing them into piles near the machine. She was shy, and embarrassed about the dirt on her hands, but she agreed to sit and talk with me. We spoke about the importance of the peer support she received at the GDPU. “Before I was living in isolation, but since I have joined the GDPU I am now with others who understand my struggle,” she said. As Jennifer resumed the work of brick making with her peers, I was struck by the powerful symbolism of the survivors literally rebuilding their country, brick by brick.

Next I met Victoria. Her wheelchair sat in front of her as she vigorously worked on her sewing machine. Two schoolchildren waited patiently for her to finish mending their pants. Victoria teaches women with disabilities tailoring skills so they can start small businesses. With a huge smile ear to ear she told me her story of survival, and how helping other women with disabilities makes her feel so happy.

Victoria survived polio as a little girl. She is now displaced due to the war and living with about eighty other people with disabilities at the GDPU. Today there is peace in Gulu and most of those displaced by the conflict are now returning home, but those with disabilities still struggle with the rugged travel, and finding a way to support themselves once they leave the camps, so the GDPU is providing them continued shelter.

The GDPU provides many services for recovery and rehabilitation. In one room I saw a strange sight - a huge pile of make-shift wheelchairs. Alfred explained to me that these chairs were once used for wheel-chair basketball tournaments they held on campus. They even brought a Kenyan wheelchair basketball team to compete against the players from the GDPU. Alfred said that the Kenyan team beat them very badly, but the event brought excitement and high spirits to the GDPU team. The Kenyans had real wheelchairs for basketball, while the ones the GDPU built kept breaking and the plastic seats would get too hot for the players. The GDPU wheel-chair basketball team dreams of getting real sports wheelchairs in the future and having a better shot at the competition.

We then met Caroline, a local activist from the GDPU who fights for access for people with disabilities. I found Caroline outside her one-room apartment, one of ten small units in her row. She was washing some clothes in a small basin as ducks ran around the yard. She greeted me with a big smile. Caroline was really excited about the Survivor Corps training program she will be participating in tomorrow. She spoke about the impact she hopes this training will have on her life. “I hope to learn more about the rights of people with disabilities so that I can lobby my government to ensure all buildings in my town are accessible, for people like me who can not climb stairs.”

Caroline is a true survivor, and the first person to really talk with me about the impact of war on people with disabilities. “When I was a small girl my school was bombed during the war. All of the children ran, but I could not run.” When the fighting forced her family to flee their homes suddenly, Caroline was forced to leave behind the leg braces that enabled her to walk. As a result she was stuck in her family's hut for six years before they could afford new braces. Six years later, with determination, she went back to school, feeling like she had a lot of lost time to make up for. “To this day I tell people that I am six years younger than I actually am. But when I graduated, I was first in my class.” Today Caroline serves on her local government board that advises on issues for people with disabilities.

The last visit of the day was to Lacho hospital to meet Christine, a nurse and landmine survivor. Christine will also be attending the Survivor Corps training tomorrow and she beamed with energy as we walked through the hospital gates together. Ten years ago Christine was driving in a car that ran over a landmine. At the moment of the explosion she was holding her five-month-old son, Steven. When she regained consciousness, Steven was no longer in her arms. She looked around for him, but when she tried to stand, her legs collapsed. Steven was found under a pile of dirt exactly where the landmine exploded. Remarkably, the boy did not sustain any serious injuries, though he is now deaf in his left ear.

Christine’s husband left her immediately after the accident, saying that she was “no longer of use to him…but I am useful! He is wrong!” Christine exclaimed. “I did not
apply to be disabled, but this is the way I am, and life goes on.” While Christine was still in the hospital she began providing peer support to her fellow survivors. “It made me feel good to talk to people and show them life will go on for them, too.”

Once Christine got out of the hospital she began taking nursing classes. “I love being a nurse, my favorite thing is to make friends with my patients. They are disabled people too now, they did not apply for this, but here they are.” Christine’s brother is now a person with disability due the war. He was abducted by the LRA along with his four older brothers when he was only six years old. After much negotiation, the LRA let him go, but they left their mark on him by taking out his eye. “I even counsel my brother to be happy that he is still living,” says Christine.

Waving goodbye to Christine I climbed on the back of a boda boda…a Ugandan motorcycle taxi. She told me with a big smile, don't fall off! Speeding through the streets of Gulu I felt quite free. It is hard to imagine the intense conflict that was going on here only a few years ago. I look forward to seeing my new friends at the training tomorrow.

Next Stop - Camp for Displaced People in Uganda

10/8/2008 1:47:00 PM

by Ricki Weisberg
Survivor Corps Communications Manager

This morning I got up early and slugged down a cup of tea to wake myself up. I was tired from all the travel but eager to start the day, which would be spent visiting survivors in a camp for internally displaced people (IDP's) one hour north of Gulu.

The camp we visited was made up of hundreds of huts just feet from each other. Each hut has cement walls and a thatched roof. Some have a steel door, many do not. Most of the people have been living there for anywhere between 4 and 20 years.

One thing that made an immediate impression was that I hardly saw any parents. Kids were everywhere, running around, playing, working…but where were their parents? I soon realized that the ratio of parents to children was not in anyone’s favor. As in many war zones, people here take care of their own children, plus their deceased brother's or sister's and always a few orphans. In many of the survivor interviews I've done in the past, parents have expressed pride and happiness about their role taking care of others' kids, but happiness is not what I saw today. The daily struggle amidst a backdrop of suffering and poverty is really straining the moral of the survivors I met.

My first interview was with a survivor named Huntington. Huntington is 23 years old, and on January 1, 2000 he was caught in an ambush by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). He survived multiple bullet wounds and lost one leg and his sight. “At first I thought life was hopeless, it was the end of the world," he told me, "but then I realized that there are others, like me, who this has happened to. Life should go on.”

Recently his life was made even more difficult when the white cane he uses to navigate his surroundings was stolen, making him even more dependent on others. “Life is difficult," he says, "but I receive strength from my wife. She does everything for me now, she helps me survive. If I was in the position to help others I would. First I would send my children to school, then I would help other survivors worse off than me. Since I am blind, the only thing I can do to help is to provide advice to other survivors.”

Huntington wants to return to his home like many of the former residents of the camp are now doing, but the land he used to live on is overgrown and without his leg, he will not be able to cultivate the land to support himself. Huntington's story is one example of how having a war injury or disability makes it even harder for displaced people to return home.

Sitting quietly under a tree we met Josephine with her small daughter strapped to her back. Josephine and I talked about survivorship. She told me about the day she was out in her garden when the LRA ambushed her home, killing one of her children and her husband. Tears streamed down Josephine’s face as she retold the details of the day, how she wanted to die when she realized her life would never be the same and that she would have to raise her other six children alone. “Life is very difficult without my husband. I have to be both the mother and father for my children. But when I met others like me, I realized that it really helps to share your problems with others who understand.”

Reflecting on the survivors I met today, I realized that it's important to recognize and respect where people are in their individual journey of survival. Some are farther along the road towards thriving and supporting their peers than others. Most of the survivors I met in the IDP camp are still struggling just to get through one day at a time, but they all have hope for the future and many of them are already realizing the positive effect that giving back to others can have on their own recovery.

Meeting Survivors in Africa - Day One

10/3/2008 6:25:00 PM

by Ricki Weisberg
Survivor Corps Communications Manager

My journey to Africa began in Washington DC. After 26 hours, two planes, six bad movies and three bad airplane meals, my feet hit the dark brown soil of Uganda. The second I stepped off the plane I immediately recognized the smell of this country. A mixture of fresh air, burning tires and fragrant earth. This smell may not sound appealing to you, but for a girl who loves Uganda, this smells like home.

This is actually my third visit to Uganda this year, but my first trip since I joined Survivor Corps in July of 2008 as the communications manager. Here I am two months later, interviewing survivors and sending my stories home to all of you.

I arrived in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, just after my colleagues, Nerina, Riley and Robert conducted a two-day workshop for survivors from Uganda, Burundi and Rwanda. At the workshop, conflict survivors learned about their rights and how to lobby government officials. Today survivors were able to put their training into practice at the Pan-Africa Cluster Munitions Conference in Kampala, hosted by the Ugandan government. Officials from many African countries are here in Kampala to discuss the new Convention to Ban Cluster Munitions, more commonly known as cluster bombs. (Click here to learn more about cluster bombs and the international movement to ban them.)

The first survivor I met this morning was Sylvia. Sylvia is 23 years old. When she was only 11, she stepped on a landmine and lost her leg. She attended the workshops and conference, and I am in awe of her confidence and stamina.

“When I stepped on the landmine I thought this was the end of my life…but it wasn’t the end.”

Sylvia is a natural Survivor Advocate. She speaks eloquently about the struggles of survivors. Many of the challenges she faces are shared by survivors all over the world…poverty, exclusion from politics and public life, discrimination… but Sylvia also shared this unique and personal story.

“I am in love, but I lack marriage. There is a man, and we are in love, but his family does not approve. They do not believe I am a real woman, since I am missing a leg. They say, 'if you marry this girl, you will be poor. What will she be able to do for you? She has only one leg… she will not be able to carry water for you. What kind of wife will this be?' You see, I am loved during the night and denied during day.”

Sylvia’s story touched my heart. I often talk with survivors about their social, political and economic troubles, but I hadn't thought about the effect a landmine injury would have on love.

After the conference Sylvia plans on heading back to western Uganda to continue to advocate for the rights of people with disabilities in her community, and connect with other survivors to share strength and support.

“I have learned from Survivor Corps that as survivors, we are many. If we speak together with one voice, we can help people in need. The government will have to see how they can assist us, they will not forget us, and they will help us improve our lives.”

Tomorrow I pack up my bags and head to Gulu, a town five hours north of Kampala. Gulu is the area most affected by the current war in Uganda. Click here to learn more about the conflict in Northern Uganda.

Stay tuned for more survivor stories from the Great Lakes Region of Africa.

More than 80% of Afghan Suicide Bombers Have Disabilities

9/25/2008 4:34:00 PM

There have been over 100 suicide bombings so far this year in Afghanistan. Dr. Yusuf Yadgari of Kabul has analyzed the records on many of those individuals. He tells NPR News that 60% of the bombers they've examined in their morgue had a physical ailments or disabilities such as blindness, muscular dystrophy, amputations and skin diseases. When you factor in mental problems, Yadgari says the number grows to include more than 80%.

He says these "outcasts" may become suicide bombers because it's a way to make money for their families. In many countries, including Afghanistan, people with disabilities are treated with pity at best, and often as social outcasts of no value to their communities or their families.

While there is no way to independently verify Yadgari's findings, they are in keeping with what Survivor Corps has learned about the cycle of victimization--those who are victimized and then denied the resources and support to rise above their experience are more likely to become victimizers, perpetuating the cycle.

Read the full story here.

UN International Day of Peace September 21st

9/19/2008 4:35:00 PM

Sunday, September 21 is UN International Day of Peace. The holiday was officially declared in 2001 to raise global awareness and send a message to policy makers, governments and international organizations about the importance of peace-building and conflict prevention efforts.

To mark the International Day of Peace, the United Nations has launched a global ‘TXT 4 PEACE' campaign. You can tell world leaders how to achieve peace. U.S. residents can participate by texting ‘PEACE' + your message to 69866 (160 characters max). Anyone in the world can participate by sending a message online via www.peaceday2008.org.

The UN will share your messages with world leaders when they meet for the opening of the General Assembly at the United Nations in New York on September 23rd. Let your voice be heard and encourage others to join as well.

Events will be held all around the world in honor of the International Day of Peace. For more information about events in your region, visit the Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict.

Peace on Earth!

Afghan Landmine Survivor Inspires at the Paralympic Games

9/16/2008 4:32:00 PM

Landmine survivor Mohammad Fahim Rahimi is the only athlete representing Afghanistan at the Paralympic Games going on now in Beijing. Rahimi, a power lifter, competes in the 67.5-kilogram event.

“I will try my best to perform well and win a medal so I can go back to Afghanistan and show to one million disabled people there that disabled people can also do sports and can achieve medals and they can live normal lives,” he told Agence France-Presse (AFP).

Rahimi doesn't have the benefit of high tech training equipment, or the luxury of quitting his seven-day-a-week job as a night-time security guard in order to train, but he does have strength and determination forged by hardship. He lost his right leg above the knee 14 years ago when he trod on a roadside landmine in Kabul. Sports had always been important to Rahimi. After his injury, they helped him recover and look to the future.

“Before I was disabled I was doing taekwondo and gymnastics…I was entering my club and hearing that my juniors were getting better and better. I was feeling I may not be able to continue, then one friend took me to one of my instructors and he said, 'You don't have to be worried about sport. You can start bodybuilding to keep you healthy.”'

Since taking up powerlifting Rahimi has already represented his country in the 2006 Asian Paralympics in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Sayed Hewad Akbari of the Afghanistan Paralympic Committee told the AFP that there is a growing interest in athletics in Afghanistan. Amidst the struggle of war, last month's Olympics had proved a source of joy. “One of our taekwondo players (Rohullah Nikpai) won a bronze in the Olympics and he had a very warm reception in Kabul,” Akbari said.

Unfortunately, most in Afghanistan find participating in sports too expensive, especially those with disabilities for whom it's even more challenging to find good jobs. Rahimi is looking for a sponsor to provide a more advanced prosthetic leg, and has plans to build his own bench press after seeing the latest designs.

“Seeing all these athletes gives me hope and increases my interest in my sport...it's really a great experience being here. When I go back I will share my experience with the other athletes.”

Disability Rights Work also an Opportunity for Israeli–Palestinian Cooperation

9/8/2008 11:33:00 AM

Elizabeth Miner
Survivor Corps Communications Associate

Dyhan Or recently joined Survivor Corps as our first staff member based in Israel. On September 3, he and Washington DC-based Director of Rights Advocacy Tirza Leibowitz attended a conference on the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, organized by the Hebrew University's Minerva Center for Human Rights and co-sponsored by Survivor Corps.

Many survivors of armed conflict are living with disabilities as a result of war injuries. In many countries, people with disabilities are denied the right to work and fully participate in society, so taking part in this landmark treaty is one of the best ways Survivor Corps can improve the lives of hundreds of thousands of survivors worldwide.

Israel was actively involved in the negotiations on the Convention and has signed it, but hasn’t yet ratified. The conference was intended to energize local disability rights organizations and keep pressure on the Israeli government to ratify the treaty and begin implementing it. It also provided an opportunity for Israelis and Palestinians to come together around a common goal. Here's an excerpt from Dyhan's blog about the conference.

It was my first appearance in my new position as Israel country program coordinator for Survivor Corps, as well as my first meeting with Tirza [whom I knew previously] since she left Israel to join Survivor Corps DC office, so naturally I was very excited.

It gave me great pleasure to help facilitate the invitation to this conference of my good friend Hamdan Jeaw’i from Bethlehem, who already at a young age has become a respected and influential leader in his community, on disability issues and working with youth to provide opportunities for their growth through vocational job training and other means. Being the first Palestinian to join such an event in Israel, Hamdan has been welcomed by the Israeli organizers of the conference with special warmth and care. Conference participants expressed their enthusiasm for his coming. At one of the sessions he was asked to give a presentation, where he expanded on human rights in the West Bank, especially the status of people with disabilities, who have to overcome social prejudice on top of lack of appropriate physical conditions [such as accessibility] and a vulnerable human rights framework. Hamdan called for cooperation with Israeli [non-governmental organizations] to increase knowledge on disability rights and promote action in this field. Bilha Berg from the Israel Commission for Equal Rights of People with Disabilities in Israel was one of the enthusiastic responders to Hamdan's presentation, saying that due to its neutral nature, the issue of rights of people with disabilities can serve as a cornerstone of cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian authorities in a time of political disagreement and open violence.

Dyhan is committed to reconciliation and peace-building efforts between Israelis and Palestinians. Read blog posts by Dyhan and other like-minded individuals at All Nations Café.

“It was a joyful experience to reunite with former colleagues and partners in the evolution of disability rights in Israel, and together push for the next essential step of ratifying the Convention,” says Tirza Liebowitz.

Learn how Survivor Corps is leveraging the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities to make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands of conflict survivors worldwide.

Cluster Bomb Duds Claim Another Life in Lebanon

9/4/2008 3:01:00 PM

Elizabeth Miner
Survivor Corps Communications Associate

A UN peacekeeper was killed in Lebanon on Wednesday in an explosion while 
clearing munitions left over from the 2006 conflict between Israel and 
Hezbollah guerillas. The incident happened at the 
village of Aitaroun. Another peacekeeper received minor injuries in the blast.

They belonged to the peacekeeping force known as UNIFIL that is helping the Lebanese army patrol a border zone in the south. UNIFIL was stationed there as part of the UN Security Council resolution that ended the 34-day war. Last week, the U.N. Security Council determined that UNIFIL will remain in Lebanon until at least August 2009.

According to a spokeswoman for the UN Mine Action Coordination Centre, 14 weapons clearance experts have died in similar explosions since 2006. They belonged to the Lebanese army, UNIFIL and private mine action teams.

This tragedy underscores the importance of a ban on cluster munitions. Prevention is the only cure. Click here to learn more about the deadly effects of cluster bombs and the international movement to ban them.

Survivor Corps US Program Update

8/26/2008 3:06:00 PM

Elizabeth Miner
Survivor Corps Communications Associate

Last week was a busy one for the Survivor Corps US Program. On August 18th and 19th, Survivor Corps hosted a round table discussion for organizations serving the recovery and reintegration needs of US Veterans. Participants discussed the value of connecting newly returned service members and veterans with other veterans who had been through the same experience for support. This type of relationship helps both individuals to overcome traumatic experiences and participate in community.

This approach, known as peer support, is a cornerstone of Survivor Corps' work. For ten years, we have used peer support to help survivors of armed conflict overcome their injuries, rebuild their lives, and rejoin their communities. We are now adapting this knowledge and experience to serve those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. Thomas Wilson, Director of Government Relations at Survivor Corps, attended the round table and had this to say:

It was fantastic. About 13 organizations came together from three states. It was great to see that, although we all came from different parts of the country, we all work toward the same goal – helping our nation’s heroes. It was a great reminder that what we do is for those who have born the cost of battle. It was great to hear veterans stand up and speak on how peer support helps them. It was clear that we have much to learn from veterans about how we can help in the healing process. Truly inspiring time!

On Thursday, Survivor Corps founder Jerry White and US Program Manager Scott Quilty visited Brook Army Medical Center in San Antonio, TX. They spent time with injured soldiers recovering in the hospital ward, hearing their stories and sharing their own stories of recovery – Jerry from a landmine accident in Israel in 1984 and Scott from an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) while serving in Iraq. Listening to the perspective of veterans, their caregivers and families is essential to designing a program that truly serves their needs. Scott sent these remarks back to us from the road:

We visited with Calvin from New Orleans. Calvin was a vehicle mechanic who was shot in the stomach and left arm while on Convoy with his unit in Iraq. Calvin described to us that his strength in the past four months has come from his children, although it was difficult to see his son cry when they first met upon his return. In time I think Calvin will see that how he overcomes his adversity will become a source of strength for his son, despite the initial shock.

Next we met Jon, a Native American from Albuquerque, New Mexico. Jon was injured when an IED detonated under his vehicle while on patrol. He has severe burns to his thigh and lost a finger on his left hand, but considers himself lucky to have escaped with such minor injuries. The vehicle that he was driving was a total loss. It was obvious that Jon's family has always been a source of his strength, and that Jon has all the ingredients for a full recovery.

We then met Andrew, who stepped on an IED less then 20 days ago while on patrol in Helmund Province, Afghanistan. Andrew lost his left leg below the knee, and suffered severe damage to his right leg and left arm. Andrew described the anger he felt initially, but said that he has since let that go and now accepts what happened to him. It was clear that facing facts for Andrew will be a daily decision, and Jerry discussed this with him. He noticed our prostheses almost immediately, and wanted to know how we were injured and how long it took us to get back on our feet. Andrew's parents wanted us to share our story with them and their son, and Andrew's mother later came down to see Jerry speak in the auditorium. When we inquired if Andrew was coming to the presentation, his mom thanked us for remembering her son's name.

Our last inpatient visit was with Teressa. Teressa injured her knee back in 2006 while serving in Iraq as a supply specialist. For many reasons beyond her control, Teressa was just now getting the surgery she needed. She was angry, and talked at length with Jerry about that anger, but she also described her plan to become the medic that she wanted to be before her injury.

Scott and Jerry also talked with military and civilian caregivers, administrators and staff at Brook Army Medical Center about building resilience and rising above tragedy. They discussed the Five Steps to survivorship that Jerry describes in his book, I Will Not Be Broken.

1. Face Facts
2. Choose Life
3. Reach Out
4. Get Moving
5. Give Back

These steps, drawn from the experiences of survivors of crisis from all walks of life, also apply to veterans who are struggling to move past their war experiences and rejoin civilian life. An anonymous Survivor Corps donor paid for fifty copies of I Will Not Be Broken to be distributed to the patients and caregivers at Brook.

Jerry and Scott brought a simple message of hope and support to the men and women at Brook Army Medical Center. You can do the same. Click here to send a message of support to a US veteran, or to a survivor of war or violence in another part of the world. Then join the discussion about survivorship and resilience.

Cluster bomb clearance in Lebanon may be discontinued.

8/22/2008 3:05:00 PM

Elizabeth Miner
Survivor Corps Communications Associate

Until this month, when cluster bombs were used in the conflict between Russia and Georgia, cluster munitions had not been used since Israel dropped them on Lebanon during their 2006 war with Hezbollah. Since that conflict ended, 27 civilians in Lebanon have been killed and 234 wounded by unexploded ordnance, mostly cluster munitions, while 13 bomb disposal experts have been killed and 39 wounded, according to Dalya Farran of the U.N. Mine Action Coordination Centre (UNMACC). Now UNMACC says they will have to suspend their cluster munitions clearance program in Lebanon by the end of the month due to lack of funding. Read the full story here.

This development highlights the critical importance of a ban on this weapon. Once cluster bombs have been dropped in an area, civilian safety cannot be guaranteed in that area again. Clearance efforts are slow, dangerous and costly, and success is not certain. If the unexploded cluster bomblets in Lebanon are not cleared away, they will continue to cause collateral damage for decades to come, as they have Vietnam where lives continue to be lost to cluster bomblets left over from the Vietnam War.

Russia is being called upon to immediately release detailed information about the cluster bombs they dropped in civilian areas of Georgia last week so that clearance efforts can begin before more civilians are killed. Rather than comply, Russia is denying that they used cluster munitions at all.

Click here to join the international movement to ban cluster munitions.