Protecting Life Against COVID-19- Rehabilitation International May, 2020
Advancing the rights and inclusion of people with disabilities worldwide. An interview with Mme. Zhang Haidi, President of Rehabilitation International.
Haidi: Our fellow people and their situations worry me most at this moment. The epidemic broke out at a time when we
Chinese people were celebrating our lunar New Year. All of a sudden, our bustling life quieted down. We were seized with fear at first, but gradually we calmed down, and followed the call of social distancing. Staying at home, we felt like living on isolated islets. The virus made us apart, but we were even closer at heart.
The distance between China and the rest of the world also seems shortened. I have received many emails from around
the world. I’m moved by the care shown by the RI EC members to my fellow people in China.
In times of emergency, persons with disabilities face even greater difficulties. This worries me very much. I feel relieved that, persons with disabilities and debilitated elderly are included in the epidemic control plan of our government. This means they will receive Protecting Life Against COVID-19
