On 23rd December 2023, Choose Life Generation joined the global community in celebrating a special day dedicated to all our parents, brothers, and sisters who are sick—physically, mentally, morally, socially, and psychologically—as well as persons living with disabilities.
This celebration was a call for love, compassion, and acceptance, and a reminder of our responsibility to be near those who suffer, to pray for and with them, to respect and support them, and to share our resources according to our capacity. It was a day to show them affection and reassure them that they are an integral part of our community.
We emphasized:
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“We care about you.”
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“We are praying for you.”
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“You are not forgotten.”
We renewed our commitment to visiting the sick and vulnerable, bringing them food, clothes, water, firewood, and other essentials, so they feel seen, loved, and included.
Christmas Celebration for the Sick and Vulnerable
This special event was also intended as their Christmas celebration—a time to share experiences, joys, hopes, and expectations. After the feast, each participant received a Christmas parcel containing:
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Clothes
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Shoes
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Rice
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Soap (savon)
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And most importantly, they were honored with a Holy Mass and prayers celebrated with and for them.
The joy was immense, and many left the celebration feeling uplifted, seen, and spiritually refreshed.
Reflection on the 2023 Theme
As part of the celebration, we reflected on the 2023 UN Theme for the International Day of Persons with Disabilities:
“United in Action to Rescue and Achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) For, With and By Persons with Disabilities.”
Key discussion points included:
SMART Goals:
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Specific and measurable so progress can be tracked
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Measurable and achievable within personal or community capabilities
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Relevant to personal needs and aspirations
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Time-bound with clear deadlines
The Four Pillars of Sustainability:
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Human
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Social
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Economic
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Enabling Environment
Additional critical areas of focus included:
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Education
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Health
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Access to infrastructure, housing, transport, and communication for persons with disabilities
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Inclusion in politics, sports, arts, and culture
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Employment opportunities for persons with disabilities
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Promotion of equal opportunities, independent living, and economic self-sufficiency
Promoting Holistic Development
Participants were encouraged to support gender equality, women’s empowerment, decent work and economic growth, and access to clean water and sanitation, recognizing these as essential human rights.
We emphasized the importance of:
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Ending poverty in all its forms
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Achieving zero hunger
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Ensuring access to good health and well-being
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Guaranteeing inclusive, quality education for all
Basic Skills for Children with Disabilities
We also discussed the importance of helping children, especially those with disabilities, develop basic life skills necessary for independence and self-sufficiency. These include:
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Communication skills
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Social skills
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The ability to interact with others
This remarkable event marked not just a celebration, but a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to inclusion, dignity, and shared humanity, in line with the 30th World Day of the Sick and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.
