Kim Dong-yeon Pledges to 'Set an Example' for Disabled People's Care and Independence

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Park No-hun] Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon pledged to "set an example" for the care and independence of people with disabilities.

Governor Kim shared his and his wife's experience meeting people with disabilities and their volunteer work through SNS on the 2nd.

Governor Kim stated, "Gyeonggi Province invites developmental disability orchestras and choirs to provincial events to provide performance opportunities, displays artwork by people with disabilities throughout the provincial office, and is increasing various forms of support such as the 'Disability Enjoyment Passbook' and 'Gyeonggi Opportunity Viewing Pass.' We will also encourage employment of people with disabilities through the 'Social Economy Department' newly established in December," and added, "Gyeonggi Province will fulfill its role in care and independence for people with disabilities so they can live together as members of the community."

The following is the full text of Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon's SNS post.

<A Community Living Together with People with Disabilities, Gyeonggi Province Will Set the Example>

"I want to live even one more day than my child."

This is what parents of children with disabilities say.

Last Thursday, I met Kim Mi-ha, who has been raising two siblings with developmental disabilities alone and was recently given a terminal cancer diagnosis. Despite undergoing painful chemotherapy, Ms. Kim is making every effort to resolve the childcare issues for her children who will be left without parents. While listening to the stories of families with developmental disabilities and discussing the role of the public sector together, all of us who attended shed many tears.

Gyeonggi Province and Uiwang City will provide a group home for the siblings and arrange additional activity support hours to provide "seamless care." Ms. Kim was relieved that her children's safety is guaranteed.

On the same day, my wife volunteered at "Yangji's House," a residential facility for people with severe disabilities in Gunpo. Ha-ram, a fourth-grader my wife met, has grade 1 cerebral palsy with lower body paralysis. He was abandoned by his family, which broke up due to domestic violence when he was 3 years old. After seven years in institutional care, he commutes by wheelchair and is always bright and gets along well with friends. My wife plans to become Ha-ram's "friend" and meet with him regularly every month.

Gyeonggi Province invites developmental disability orchestras and choirs to provincial events to provide performance opportunities and displays artwork by people with disabilities throughout the provincial office. We are increasing various forms of support such as the 'Disability Enjoyment Passbook' and 'Gyeonggi Opportunity Viewing Pass.' We will also encourage employment of people with disabilities through the 'Social Economy Department' newly established in December.

So that Ms. Kim's children and young Ha-ram can live together as members of the community, Gyeonggi Province will fulfill its role in care and independence for people with disabilities.