Victor Pineda: The road might be daunting, but everyone has talents no matter their disabilities

His abilities outweigh his disabilities and currently he’s the head of the Pineda Foundation for the Disabled, all while pursuing a PhD in economics and development.

09/09/2010 - Issue 43

By Hamzeh Abu-Fakher

What is the main objective of your visit to Syria?

This is my third visit to Syria; I’ve been working here in the field of disabilities for about six years. But my purpose of visit this time is to speak in the ‘Youth Ability Summit’, held by Jay Snyder’s ‘Open Hands Initiative’.


What will this summit achieve?

American and Syrian youth with disabilities will jointly create the world's first cross-cultural superhero with disabilities for a comic book series to be published and distributed throughout the world. The Summit will also produce the first cross-cultural guidebook for implementing the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities; in addition to a project to bring Syria's art and music to America.


How different is this effort than other customary ones?

It is the first event of its kind in the world for young people with disabilities to exchange views and network, addressing disability through their own perspectives. For the reason that people with disabilities know more about their problems than anyone else, so this step addresses the obstacles they face from their perspective—it is not only for them, it is with them.

We had all kinds of people with disabilities show up and participate, and the creativity we saw was remarkable, showing that no matter what kind of disability a person has he still can excel in many fields and reach high intellect, creativity and wisdom.


Which angle will be focused on?

I’m an economist so I tend to focus on the social economic development. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) one of every two households in Syria is touched by disability—with a disability being a permanent or temporary impairment of a main function, resulting in the economic liability of a person.

If Syria were to address disabilities not only through ministries—but between them, for people with disabilities to find jobs and transportation, instead of being a burden they could be an asset. Thus households would develop economically, helping the economic development of the country.


What do you say to people who might be deterred by their disabilities?

It’s the responsibility of people with disabilities to push for their rights and space; the road might be daunting, but everyone has dreams, hopes, and talents no matter their disabilities.