Indonesians in Focus: Erna Sulistyaningshih

By Barrie | August 6th, 2007 | No Comments

Left paralyzed by the May 27, 2006, Yogyakarta earthquake, Erna Sulistyaningsih several times tried to commit suicide — until one day her parents challenged her to take her own life in front of them.

“My parents were crying … they gave me a knife and said ‘if you want to end your life do it now. Go ahead, use this knife’,” Erna recalled of the confrontation that took place sometime in July last year.

At the time, Erna was confined to hospital after undergoing an operation on her spine. The operation did not go as planned, with some of the platinum pins breaking and penetrating through to her chest.

“It was very painful, I couldn’t stand,” she recalled.

Erna’s fate was in the balance. It was uncertain whether a second operation could be performed and she had to wait and suffer the pain of the metal pins in her chest.

“I was in a great deal of pain and there was so much uncertainty,” she said. “It made me lose the will to live and I tried to commit suicide three times,” she said.

Erna, however, was able to turn her life around. The challenge from her parents not only make her realize she was still loved by her family members, but, in some way, boosted her spirit to live.

“It was as if I’d been given a second chance at life. I wanted to use the opportunity to help others who had suffered the same fate as me,” said the 26-year-old.

An education graduate majoring in mathematics from Sarjanawiyata University, Yogyakarta, in 2005, Erna was working as a private teacher in a village in Banten before the earthquake.

“I was at home when the earthquake struck,” she recalled. “I was knocked down by a falling wall and my spine was broken. That’s how I became disabled.”

Her wedding plans for January 2007 were called off after her fiance’s family rejected her. They were not prepared to accept a disabled daughter-in-law.

With the help of the Japan International Corporation Agency, a non-governmental organization that focuses on assisting earthquake victims, Erna learned to make handicrafts and developed sewing skills. Her extraordinary spirit made her a quick learner.

Erna, now wheelchair-bound, visits a rehabilitation center in Code, Bantul, Yogyakarta every Tuesday and Saturday to help encourage disabled quake victims there.

As a volunteer she teaches people a range of skills, such as how to sew and make bags, shoes and mobile phone cases.

“I hope my disabled friends can develop new abilities. I have a dream to create an economically independent community of disabled people,” said the girl from Kangotan, Pleret, in Bantul.

She said she never tires of visiting injured quake victims in their homes. Her main goal is to uplift their spirits and will to live.

Erna, however, admits this is no easy feat. Many of those who were seriously injured in the 2006 earthquake were the breadwinners in their families before the disaster struck.

“Now they feel ashamed and useless because they are crippled. Increasing their enthusiasm is the most difficult thing and can only really be achieved by those who understand the psychology of the disabled and the conditions in which they live.”

In addition to volunteering as a trainer, Erna also provides practical help. Supported by her family, she produces many types of handicrafts including bags and shoes.

“Whenever we get an order, however small, I contact the people who know how to make the goods. They do the work and we all earn an income.”

Erna says developing such skills is the best way for disabled people to be creative and reclaim their place in society. This is particularly important as it is virtually impossible to be accepted back in formal workplaces, such as in government offices.

“If we sit around doing nothing we’ll get stressed and depressed,” she said. “If we remain idle, our lives will have no meaning and that will have an impact on others.”

Erna often invites her handicapped friends to join handicraft exhibitions to promote the goods they make.

“The last exhibition was at the Jogja Expo Center,” she said. “I showcased my handicrafts as well as those of some of my friends. These kinds of opportunities have provided us with the chance to become economically independent.

“We hope to market our products without waiting for orders.”

Erna says the psychological condition of some disabled people, who are ashamed of their condition, has created obstacles in their rehabilitation. They lack the self-confidence to produce handicrafts.

“Today there are only around ten people who are involved in our handicraft-making activities … they are the ones who have the will to fight to survive,” she said. “Others are still half-hearted and feel ashamed. My friends and I try to boost their self esteem.”

Erna said last month she received an order to produce 1,000 bags and shoes in just one month. She discussed the order with her disabled friends. But they felt they were unable to accept the project. They did not believe their work was good enough.

“In the end I was unable to accept the order,” she said.

Erna says she has decided to dedicate her life to helping victims who were seriously injured in the quake and who are now confined to wheelchairs.

She says she is grateful to God she survived the quake.

Slamet Susanto