As a proud board member of the World Institute on Disability (WID), I strongly urge you to support the efforts of the Global Alliance for Disaster Resource Acceleration (GADRA) in aiding Ukrainian people with disabilities to evacuate or shelter-in-place during this time. In joint efforts with Fight for Right, GADRA has helped over 400 adults and children with disabilities to evacuate safely. Millions more are still in need; trapped in horrific conditions, sometimes abandoned by caretakers who are unable to navigate the complex journey to safety. Some abandoned without access to the food, water, and medical resources needed to survive.
Each day new horrors about what is happening in Ukraine come to light. I worry for my friends I made in Kazakhstan through my work with the U.S. State Department. I imagine if this were happening here, and I think about all of my employees with disabilities and what would happen to them if their supports were cut off due to a vicious attack. It is not enough to just watch the news and these terrible acts from afar – we must act.
Now, more than ever, we must come together as a global community to provide supports to ensure no one is left behind. Please give – even if you can only afford to give a little. Think, if 100 people give only $5, that is $500. Even the smallest donation may mean the difference in saving someone’s life! If you can’t give money – give in other ways.
As we learn more and more about the deplorable actions taking place in Ukraine, I am reminded of the events of World War II. What happened then – what is happening now, it is evil. There is no other word to describe it.
I am reminded of the quote, “The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil, is for good people to do nothing.”
Ukrainians with disabilities need our help. These people are members of our global community. We must stand with them. History has shown us what happens when good people do nothing. We can show the world the strength of the brotherhood and sisterhood of the disability community. We can do so by supporting efforts, like those of GADRA and Fight for Right, which have a direct impact on the lives of those in need.
There is no better way to fight evil than through being a source of hope.
Ukraine Response and Updates from WID.
Donate to the GADRA-Disaster Relief for people with disabilities in Ukraine.