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Watch this video and be motivated to challenge yourself! To be honest, I am not entirely satisfied with the way the film portrays me. The viewers only remember the way I cook curry, but they don't even remember me using a mouse. I want everyone to know that I am not a "chef de curry". I'm around fifty plus years old. Toshimi Okamoto |
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I choose this title because the film is about Prop Station, a group which promotes job development for the challenged by means of computer technology, and with the spirit and attitude of Kansai people. Whenever I watch the film, even though I am in it myself, I feel inspired by the real-life efforts of the other members of the cast. Their stories motivate me to try as hard as they do. The best parts are when they succeed in using the keyboard by using their whole body. This film shows the daily life and passion of the new generation of challenged who are familiar with technology. Many people will think about the potential of human beings after watching it. My part in the film can be described as something like "the real-life story of a personal computer rising-star; someone devoting himself to being a computer graphics designer." The film makes me look too cool, so I feel embarrassed and want to crawl beneath the floor. Documentary films about the challenged are usually full of bias, but this film is very straightforward, letting the images of the challenged speak for themselves. I liked the professionalism of the production team. The experienced crew of Shohei Imamura's team spent a lot of time and care in shooting the film. I happened to overhear that they might make a longer version in the future. I do hope that these videos will go to every corner of the world and that a sequel "The Challenged Return" will be made. Ikutoshi Yoshida |
What a strange middle-aged man! I took a good look at the man in the film. It was me! This was my impression when I first saw the film. Wow, I have aged that much? But still I am able to slowly learn how to use computers. The moment you decide to do something, that is the best time to do it. Age doesn't matter. It's never too late to start something new.
If I were to give a title to this film, I would call it "Hi, PC '98"
I contracted myelogenous polio when I was five years old. Now I am sixty-one, and I've had to spend my life on crutches. Like any of you, I have experienced times of difficulty, sadness, and happiness. Fortunately, my understanding wife has been a great help and we've been able to run our own dyeing business for 30 years. However, in these difficult economic times, the recession and loss of my clients caused me to have a nervous breakdown. I have had two important encounters in my life that completely changed me. The first was my meeting with the late Ms. Hisako Nakamura, who has been called "The Japanese Hellen Keller". She had no hands or legs. Sitting in front of me, her appearance reminded me of, what do you say, a daruma? She put a brush in her mouth and wrote beautifully the words, "If you try, you can make it. You have to try. If you can't make it, it's because you didn't try."
I saw a rainbow when I opened the door. This describes my first impression when I was introduced to Prop Station. I have heard the saying "A handicap is a just a small part of one's identity", but people with disabilities, whether from birth, sudden tragedy, or aging, often become more and more depressed as they age.
This film introduces the activities and staff of Prop Station. My name is Hiroshi Yamazaki. I was involved in a car accident when I was nineteen, and broke my neck, condemning me to life in a wheelchair. I often thought of suicide. Six months after the accident, I had learned how to handle a wheelchair. It was at that time that I tried to kill myself, but failed. I realized I would not be able to even kill myself, I would always need help. I was hospitalized for two and a half years. After I got out of the hospital, all I could do was live day to day. My friends gave me a lot of support; I think that's the only reason I'm still alive today. 
When I first heard that they were planning to make a film about Prop, I told myself I would not be in it, even as an extra. However, when the director, who liked my drawings of fairies, came to my house and asked me to be in the film, I couldn't say no because he was such a nice person. As the filming went on, I gradually realized I was involved in a really important project. I thought the project was too big for me, so I refused to be in the film. In spite of my selfishness, they patiently waited until I felt like participating.
As I had never worked in a company since graduating from school, I didn't know anything about the world of work. Mr. Hashiguchi really helped me whenever I had questions. I feel so grateful to him for his advice.
"Please look at us"
I had never heard the word "challenged" before becoming involved with Prop Station. I used to feel resistance to being called "disabled", and to the fact that I have disabilities. Learning of the word "challenged" made me think it was not bad to have been given this body if I was born to challenge myself. Most of us tend to spend all of our time at home, and have little chance to meet others. Consequently, it is not easy for us to communicate with others. Now however, through Prop Station, I have had the opportunity to meet many challenged with different disabilities and many volunteers from different backgrounds. When I see them working so hard, I feel greatly inspired and encouraged.
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Whether on film or on paper, I am generally hesitant to express myself. However, since I was born challenged, I feel it is my mission to make people understand us.
The documentary, "Challenged", directed by Kosuke Oshida and supervised by Shohei Imamura, is now on sale on video! It is full of the passion of the challenged. This can be seen, for example, in the way the challenged use the computer and teach at computer seminars.
