Seoul Story – Day 6 Part 1: September 8, 2007

This was the first morning I woke up feeling as light as a feather. It was the last day of the 7th DPI World Assembly. No more hectic shuffling between concurrent workshops and I had delivered my two presentations to an international audience of my peers. I was still up there somewhere in between the clouds.

I did not follow the programme of the morning as it was all speeches, speeches and more speeches. As it was the last day of the World Assembly, I took the opportunity to take some shots with friends that I made over the course of the four days, not knowing when we could meet again.

After the closing ceremony of the World Assembly, Shoji-san had organised a meeting of leaders of the Independent Living Movement of the Asia-Pacific region. We discussed how we could cooperate and take the local and regional movement o a higher level through cooperation and sharing of resources. This multi-lateral cooperation would be under the auspices of the Asia-Pacific Network on Independent Living Centres (APNIL).

One thing that I like to do every morning on the way to KINTEX is to count the number of church spires. Seoul is a city full of those. Everywhere I turned to look, there was bound to be at least three spires sticking out from the amidst low rise buildings. As we were going back early today, I counted the spires on the way back to the hotel and lost count after thirty. I believe there could be more than 50 spires along the way.

Non-step bus in Seoul
Yes, I have a fascination for these non-step buses.

7th Disabled Peoples' International World Assembly Wall of Dreams
7th Disabled Peoples’ International World Assembly Wall of Dreams where we put down our dreams
and aspirations for a world without barriers and discrimination.

On the stage of the 7th DPI WA
One for the memory – on the stage at the 7th Disabled Peoples’ International World Assembly.

Fellow Independent Living advocates- Lin Chun Chieh, Abner Manlapaz, Edwin de Villa and Peter Tan
Fellow Independent Living advocates – Lin Chun Chieh (Taiwan), Abner Manlapaz (Philippines),
Edwin de Villa (Philippines) and Peter Tan.

Performance before the closing ceremony
Performance before the closing ceremomy.

Song Jin-Seok - Official photographer of the 7th DPI WA
Song Jin-Seok – Official photographer of the 7th DPI WA.

With Ko Kwan-Chul
With Ko-Kwan-Chul – one of the leaders of the Independent Living Movement in Korea.

APNIL Meeting conducted by Shoji Nakanishi after the conclusion of the 7th DPI WA
APNIL Meeting conducted by Shoji Nakanishi after the conclusion of the 7th DPI WA.

Seoul - Land of church spires
Seoul – Land of church spires.

Seoul - Land of church spires
Seoul – Land of church spires.

Seoul - Land of church spires
Seoul – Land of church spires.

Author: Peter Tan

Peter Gabriel Tan. Penangite residing in the Klang Valley. Blissfully married to Wuan. A LaSallian through and through. Slave to three cats. Wheelchair user since 1984. End-stage renal disease since 2017. Principal Facilitator at Peter Tan Training specialising in Disability Equality Training. Former columnist of Breaking Barriers with The Borneo Post. This blog chronicles my life, thoughts and opinions. Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook.