Fr Noel O’Neill writes about the impact COVID-19 restrictions have had on the intellectually disabled in South Korea. Due to the spread of the Omicrom variant, care centres like Emmaus were ordered to shut their doors in order to try to stem the spread of the virus. That meant Emmaus’ clients had to be cared for in their family homes. “One poor mother was so stressed out caring 24/7 for her 25-year-old severely disabled son that she made the terrible decision to end both their lives.”
For the first 18 months of COVID-19 both South Korea and Hong Kong did such a good job in managing the spread of the virus that the two countries were looked upon as success stories.
But the number of cases shot up in both countries when they entered the second year of struggling with the pandemic. Prior to Presidential elections the Korean government relaxed social distancing, prompting criticism that it was a political move to secure votes for the governments party candidate. The net result was the spread of a highly contagious Omicron variant.
Because of the highly transmissible Omicron variant the city office ordered that Emmaus centres for the intellectually disabled be closed. That meant our disabled people had to be cared for in their family homes 24/7.
It was also very hard where you had both parents working. It meant one had to stay at home to care for their disabled child. On top of that at the best of times our severely disabled people are easily disturbed.
Being confined to the apartment all day is very frustrating and very challenging for the carers. One poor mother was so stressed out caring 24/7 for her 25-year-old severely disabled son that she made the terrible decision to end both their lives.
The spread of the COVID19 and the Omicron variant were extremely challenging times for the intellectually disabled person themselves. Severely intellectually disabled people have no comprehension of the dangers of the virus. Besides they cannot understand the need for social distancing, the need for wearing of the masks, or the need for frequent washing of the hands. Carers need to have special skills and techniques to help them become aware of all those demands.
Emmaus provides residential services for 60 people, spread over 15 group homes. In normal times during the evenings, they would be – going to the bowling alley, visiting the health club, going to the karaoke hall, shopping at the local supermarket. Because of the upsurge of the virus, restrictions and caution forbade those activities.
However, thanks to our Columban benefactors we were able to overcome those stormy times, by having professional instructors run art and crafts programs in the group homes.
As they began to update their photo albums, you could see that they relived the excitement and thrill they experienced when they rode the bus to the peak of the second highest mountain in Korea., or the sadness they felt as they looked once again at the photo of Myeong Sek’s funeral Mass.
Myeong Sek was the ‘Onnee’ (big sister) who was always smiling. A tiny fragile woman, who could not read or write, who had no concept of time or money, but was loved by all.
In the group home next door to me are four men with intellectual disabilities and none of whom can hear or speak. For twenty to thirty years, they had suffered physical and sexual abuse, while living in a notorious and an infamous large institution, which was closed down by the government after the media exposed their hidden sins.
It was as good as a tonic for me to drop by during the pandemic and join with them as they played indoor mini bowling or help them as they put flower seedlings into pots…
Throughout the pandemic we insisted that our people living in the group homes refrain from going to the parish church as they were so vulnerable. They watched the Sunday Mass on TV. There are four very fervent middle-aged women with Down’s Syndrome living in one of Emmaus’ group homes.
I am sure that Jesus smiled when He saw them go up to the front of the TV and put out their hands to receive the host as the priest was giving out Holy Communion.
Perhaps it was the same kind of smile he gave the two Emmaus disciples who recognised Him in the breaking of bread.
If you would like to support Fr Noel O’Neill’s work, please send your donation to the Far East Office, Dalgan Park, Navan, Co Meath C15 AY2Y. Mark it for Fr Noel O’Neill. Alternatively, you can donate online at www.columbans.ie or call 00353 46 909 8275.