Disabled Student Volunteering in Thailand
Donation protected
Hi, I'm Aisling, I have severe Cerebral Palsy and need 24/7 support from Personal Assistants. I am now embarking on a volunteering expedition to Thailand to support others with disabilities. Therefore, I am raising funds to bring my two Personal Assistants with me.
Although I like to consider myself an average 23-year-old student, I also live with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy (CP) with Dystonic features, just to complicate life. I have always aspired to help educate and/or support others with disabilities; in the past I have worked with multiple charities but now I need to reach further afield. This is more challenging for me than other young adults as I am unable to complete the usual kinds of volunteering. I finally found GVI who have allowed me to work in Thailand by building a programme for disabled students at the Camillian Centre. I now need to go back and implement the project at the centre to see its genesis. Now that I have been given the all-clear to return to base in July of this year, I need to raise the funds to bring my two PA’s along to support me, and to watch and aid the project’s evolution.
Due to my CP, I have to rely on 24/7 assistance from a team of Personal Assistants to support me in day-to-day life, helping to get the most out of every experience. However, I cannot expect them to self-fund this trip (or any other!)
This is where my campaign comes in. Your donations will help to cover the costs of my two PA’s who will accompany me on the expedition. Previously, I have managed to self-fund to cover the cost of my PA’s, but due to the short notice and the length of the trip (4 weeks), I need to urgently find funding. Through saving, I have managed and will continue to find funds for myself, but I am now banking on donations to allow the trip to go ahead as my PA’s are essential to my participation. In simple terms – I will not be able to go without them, and these funds will allow them to join me.
Your donations will cover the costs for my PA’s involvement in the project - their accommodation, flights, food, and - as I mentioned – assistance in activities which I would like to participate in but would need their support to do so.
A Bit More About Me and My Cerebral Palsy
For those who are unfamiliar with CP, it is – in basic terms – damage to the brain prior to, during, or soon after birth, which affects movement and co-ordination. In my case, although I have severe CP, meaning that my gross and fine motor skills along with speech are severely affected, I have been fortunate enough to have had a supportive network of people around me to help me to make the most out of life. However, in the disability world, life is expensive - to say the least...
There is no cure for CP but therapies include a lifetime of intensive sessions such as repeated re-patterning, motor skills training, and specialist therapies such as speech and language. This can assist with reducing symptoms and helps to find ways for the brain to work around the condition.
Why Thailand?
In South East Asia, disability is seen as a punishment for sins committed in a past life and therefore these citizens are discriminated against. As an individual who has experienced discrimination, whilst different, I still feel that it is my duty to improve these living standards. I am privileged enough to have been raised in a western culture; seeing these great inequalities shows me that it is my responsibility to relay my knowledge and experience in order to build the foundations for a bright future.
I hope that I have provided you with enough information and background about who I am and what my desire is. I am always very happy to be contacted with any questions or queries if you so wish.
Phew! A massive thank you if you have managed to get this far. Any donations of any amount are much appreciated.
Although I like to consider myself an average 23-year-old student, I also live with Athetoid Cerebral Palsy (CP) with Dystonic features, just to complicate life. I have always aspired to help educate and/or support others with disabilities; in the past I have worked with multiple charities but now I need to reach further afield. This is more challenging for me than other young adults as I am unable to complete the usual kinds of volunteering. I finally found GVI who have allowed me to work in Thailand by building a programme for disabled students at the Camillian Centre. I now need to go back and implement the project at the centre to see its genesis. Now that I have been given the all-clear to return to base in July of this year, I need to raise the funds to bring my two PA’s along to support me, and to watch and aid the project’s evolution.
Due to my CP, I have to rely on 24/7 assistance from a team of Personal Assistants to support me in day-to-day life, helping to get the most out of every experience. However, I cannot expect them to self-fund this trip (or any other!)
This is where my campaign comes in. Your donations will help to cover the costs of my two PA’s who will accompany me on the expedition. Previously, I have managed to self-fund to cover the cost of my PA’s, but due to the short notice and the length of the trip (4 weeks), I need to urgently find funding. Through saving, I have managed and will continue to find funds for myself, but I am now banking on donations to allow the trip to go ahead as my PA’s are essential to my participation. In simple terms – I will not be able to go without them, and these funds will allow them to join me.
Your donations will cover the costs for my PA’s involvement in the project - their accommodation, flights, food, and - as I mentioned – assistance in activities which I would like to participate in but would need their support to do so.
A Bit More About Me and My Cerebral Palsy
For those who are unfamiliar with CP, it is – in basic terms – damage to the brain prior to, during, or soon after birth, which affects movement and co-ordination. In my case, although I have severe CP, meaning that my gross and fine motor skills along with speech are severely affected, I have been fortunate enough to have had a supportive network of people around me to help me to make the most out of life. However, in the disability world, life is expensive - to say the least...
There is no cure for CP but therapies include a lifetime of intensive sessions such as repeated re-patterning, motor skills training, and specialist therapies such as speech and language. This can assist with reducing symptoms and helps to find ways for the brain to work around the condition.
Why Thailand?
In South East Asia, disability is seen as a punishment for sins committed in a past life and therefore these citizens are discriminated against. As an individual who has experienced discrimination, whilst different, I still feel that it is my duty to improve these living standards. I am privileged enough to have been raised in a western culture; seeing these great inequalities shows me that it is my responsibility to relay my knowledge and experience in order to build the foundations for a bright future.
I hope that I have provided you with enough information and background about who I am and what my desire is. I am always very happy to be contacted with any questions or queries if you so wish.
Phew! A massive thank you if you have managed to get this far. Any donations of any amount are much appreciated.
Organizer
Aisling Gill-Dougherty
Organizer
