Introduction to the video "Challenged"
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Digital technology has touched peoples' hearts for the first time!
The heroes and heroines in this film (the challenged) prove that digital information technology, such as personal computers and the Internet, can help us to live, develop our talents, widen our possibilities, improve our future, and above all, restore our pride. Their challenges are incredibly difficult, but they are filled with joy and laughter. By viewing the film, you will be given renewed strength and courage to live in this difficult world.
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A New Path for an Aging Society
Prop Station has also begun to address the issue of employment for senior citizens. This spring, when they announced plans to hold seminars for the elderly, the number of telephone inquiries and applications greatly exceeded expectation.
Many senior citizens have some kind of disability similar to the challenged. Moreover, they also desire to develop new skills and contribute to society. In this sense, women in Japan are also challenged. Ms. Takenaka believes it would be a great loss to society to let this potential remain asleep. We should be a society whose people prop up one another. This is our trump card, enabling us to solve the problems facing our aging society.
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"No one is completely free of challenges in life, whether they result from birth, accident, illness, or age."
"When care is needed, it will be provided; when work is desired, opportunities will be available. Creating this kind of flexible society is the task given to each of us."
 Ms. Nami Takenaka, also called Nami-ne (meaning "Big sister" Nami)
Chair of the Board of Directors of Prop Station
Nami Takenaka
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Comments about the documentary "Challenged"
"Both Mr. A, who is blind, and Mr. B, who cannot use his hands, are able to handle a keyboard. Their ability brought them jobs and they became tax-paying citizens. This clearly shows us that the potential of human beings is unlimited. What enabled the challenged to succeed was their strong spirit and use of information technology. Of course, a network of supporters is necessary. Small beginning, large network."
"I am convinced that the meaning of 'the challenged' is 'people challenged by God to overcome their handicaps.' Feelings of pity, of wanting to save poor handicapped people, change to an attitude of wanting to take part in supporting them in their challenges. This film gives us such a message."
Mr. Shiro Asano, Governor of Miyagi Prefecture
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These are the stories of the challenged who have stepped into a new world. Their passion for life greatly impressed me. The film shows the challenged, their support organization Prop Station, and their corporate backers. Prop Station's innovative efforts show us how non-profit organizations should be in the future.
Mr. Daijiro Hashimoto, Governor of Kochi Prefecture
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Prescription
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| A film to heal your heart
The fresh perspective heals you
It teaches that in weakness lies strength
You will realize the infinite potential of human beings
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lassitude, poor stamina
depression, stress
feelings of distrust, anxiety about aging
end-of-the-century syndrome, feelings of being lost
burnout, loneliness
twilight of life, computer phobia
(Curative results will differ between individuals)
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Voices from the audience after the premier of "Challenged"
at The Challenged Japan Forum Universal Meeting
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The faces of the challenged when they worked for the first time were wonderful. |
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"Seeing is believing" is right. I liked the light tone troughout the movie. |
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The movie showed us the real lives of the challenged and it gives us courage. I want more people to watch it.
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I didn't know the word "challenged", but I was deeply moved by the passion of the challenged in the movie. |
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I was happy to learn of Prop Station's activities.
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Wonderful movie! I hope many people will watch it.
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Watching the real lives of the challenged, I was deeply impressed by their efforts.
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I used to think that the challenged could do few things, but I realize now that they can do anything if only opportunities exist. |
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I would like to use this movie for intra-company education.
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The movie showed us their efforts and self-affirmation. I was greatly encouraged. |
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Prop Station will change the welfare system!
Prop Station, a non-profit organization based in the Kansai area, is trying to popularize the word 'challenged' in Japan. Inaugurated seven years ago with the slogan 'Let the challenged be tax payers,' Prop Station's mission is to help the challenged find employment. The organization has grown as a grass-roots movement led by Ms. Nami Takenaka (Nami-ne), herself the mother of a severely disabled child.
Ms. Takenaka had doubts about the situation of the challenged in society. The welfare system classified the disabled as people who needed protection, thereby depriving them of the opportunity to work. Ms. Takenaka thought these welfare policies took away challenged people's pride and passion for life. She found out that the challenged were eager to work. The challenged had great expectations that computers could be their primary means to rejoin society.
Prop Station took immediate action. They held computer-skills training seminars for the challenged in the Kansai area. At that time, computers were considered difficult to understand even for people without disabilities. Prop Station also asked for participation and cooperation from technology-related businesses.
For the past seven years, Ms. Takenaka has moved forward in creating opportunities for the challenged to study and work. She continues to pay daily visits to businesses to promote understanding of the challenged and try to secure work for them. In response, the challenged have made huge efforts to meet her expectations. Currently, the challenged have developed skills in high technology, and acquired jobs as professionals in their field. Some have even become instructors in computer seminars.
"The challenged both want to work and have the capability to work," says Ms. Takenaka. "Using computers compensates for their inability to use their hands and feet. It is important for them to recover their pride in themselves." With the assistance of Prop Station, the challenged have found their pride and dignity as human beings.
The World has begun to notice Prop Station.
Support for Prop Station's activities comes from all corners of society, including major corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and individuals. Prop Station's mission has become a social movement. Why are so many individuals and organizations drawn to and facinated by Prop Station? Why do corporations focused on profit feel a non-profit organization like Prop Station is so important?
The future of Japan is emerging from this small corner of the Kansai area.
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PRODUCTION STAFF
Planning |
Asia Film Production Organization |
| Production |
Asia Film Production Organization / Fieldwork Project |
General
Producer |
Kosaku Suzuki |
Planning
Producers |
Masahide Kawashima / Yozo Shimizu |
Production
Producers |
Kunio Takeshige /Kunihiko Nakagawa |
| Director |
Kosuke Oshida |
| Photography |
Hirotaka Matsune |
| Editor |
Hajime Okayasu |
| Production Assistant |
Keisuke Sato |
Stills
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Ryoko Tanaka
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