My name is Ken and I live in Japan. I have suffered from an intractable disease called the progressive muscular dystrophy since 21 years old and live with a wheelchair now.
I used to be an active person with full of curiosity, so I often have gone out to many places by following my interest. While my illness became worse, I tend to be reluctant to go out in some days.
However, I started to think that I wanted to leave the proof of my life by doing what I can just do right now by the supports of many friends and encounter with many people. Then, I founded a citizen’s organization called “Gratitude” to promote barrier-free society and to empower people with disability.
Our primary goals are “to encourage them to go out, to promote mutual communication with non-handicapped people, and to create new needs and service. ” Unlike Western countries, Japan lags far behind in understanding the idea of barrier-free and maintaining universal designs.
Therefore, I want to change these situations that disabled people rarely go out because of various problems.
We, all and every Japanese, will never ever forget the gift of love we received from you.
We still do face a lot of difficulty; however, plenty of love that you have given us will encourage all Japanese people.
We thank everyone in the world.
We thank all our friends in the world.
We, as Japanese, will never forget the love we received from you.
Thank you so much for taking time to read.
Best Regards,
Ken, Representative of Gratitude ☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆ Web: http://www.gratitude-prj.net