Mary gaining me perspectives and having time to relax

MetroRail

I am happy to say I now have more work (and responsibility) at my internship! Currently I'm focusing on the rights of people with disabilities. I'm trying to set up a meeting with MetroRail to discuss how to make the trains more accessible for people with disabilities. There aren't wheelchair ramps or other accommodations for them. I'm also planning a big event in Gugulethu where I plan to have people from the township, people with disabilities, activists, social workers, and other speakers come to address the challenges people with disabilities face along with the stigma/negative attitudes towards them. Hopefully this event will inform and educate people along with creating a platform for discussion about this issue and possible solutions to problems. It's a lot of event planning but it is very good experience and I know I have a huge role in making this happen. I've been making lots of calls, doing research, writing concept notes to get organizations (and maybe the government) to help support or fund this event, and more. This assignment has made me more informed about people with disabilities and the challenges they face, and I notice it in daily life now. If I go to a park or market or anywhere really, I notice when they have a handicap accessible sign or other accommodations I used to never think twice about. I also notice people with disabilities around town. For example, I was on the MetroRail train and one man in front of me was taking awhile to get off at our stop. I started worrying the train would leave before we could get off (the trains only stop for about 5 seconds). However we both got off in time and I then realized he had something wrong with his leg that made it hard for him to walk. It totally changed my perspective, and I went from feeling annoyed at first to guilty and sympathetic. It just reinforced for me why I really need to meet with MetroRail about this. It also reinforced how important this issue is and how SA needs to make changes to truly make things part of daily life accessible for all its members. I really hope I can make a difference through my projects. I never looked into disabilities back in the US so learning all this now has caused me to have a wider and more knowledgeable perspective that I can bring back home.

Kirstenbosch Tree Canopy

Besides that, this weekend has been very relaxing. I went to Harbour Bay Market which was lovely and had amazing food! I also went to Kirstenbosch Gardens and explored their tree canopy walk which was nice. It was a very low-key relaxing weekend and I definitely enjoyed it. I look forward to my future time in Cape Town, whatever that may bring!