Kartunet - Law No. 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities mandates the importance of empowerment efforts from the state and society. In this regulation, empowerment is explicitly defined as an effort to foster an environment and develop potential so that persons with disabilities can grow into resilient and independent individuals. This mental fortitude or resilience becomes a primary foundation, especially for those who must face drastic life changes due to disability in adulthood.
A very strong and relevant framework for mental resilience is shared by Dr. Sri Melati, a general practitioner who completed her education at the University of North Sumatra but suddenly lost her sight in 2011 due to complications from Tuberculous Meningitis. Adapting concepts from leadership expert John C. Maxwell and emulating the fighting spirit of R.A. Kartini, she formulated principles of mental fortitude for persons with disabilities, abbreviated as F.A.T (Flexible, Adaptable, Teachable).
1. Flexible (Flexible Towards Circumstances)
Being flexible means having a resilient heart and mind when life's realities do not unfold according to original plans. When faced with limitations in mobility due to disability, a flexible individual will not easily break.
Instead of lamenting the loss of her medical career, which she had built for years, Dr. Sri Melati chose to bend her ego. She did not let her blindness stop her from contributing; instead, she sought new avenues and ways to continue making a positive impact and benefit society.
2. Adaptable (Capable of Adapting)
After being flexible in accepting life's realities, the next crucial step is to adapt. Adaptation demands one's ability to adjust to a new identity and existing environmental challenges.
Dr. Melati demonstrated her extraordinary adaptability by shifting her path from a healthcare practitioner (doctor) to an educator. Together with her colleagues in Medan, she even founded SLB G Harapan Baru, a school specifically for children with severe multiple disabilities. Her visual impairment did not prevent her from adapting and creating a hopeful learning environment for marginalized children.
3. Teachable (Always Willing to Learn)
The last, but most essential, principle is teachable. This attitude signifies the humility to acknowledge that we don't know everything, yet always possess an unending spirit to learn and discover. Recognizing one's shortcomings does not lead to feelings of inferiority or surrender to circumstances.
Armed with this teachable spirit, Dr. Melati did not stop at her achievement of building a school. She continued her studies, successfully earning a Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Special and Inclusive Education at University College London (UCL). Even in her daily life, she always positions herself as a student of life, continuously learning directly from her pupils and exchanging insights with fellow persons with disabilities.
Conclusion
The F.A.T philosophy proves that physical limitations are not the end of life's journey. By adopting an attitude that is resilient (flexible), easily adaptable to obstacles (adaptable), and eager for knowledge (teachable), persons with disabilities can dismantle the stigma of helplessness while building a bright future. As Dr. Sri Melati's life motto always upholds: "From the world of colors to the world of dim lights, but brighter future"—moving from a vibrant world to a dimly lit one, yet achieving a much brighter future. (DPM)
References:
- Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 8 of 2016 concerning Persons with Disabilities.
- "Webinar 'After Darkness, Light Emerges'" (Kartini Day Commemoration 2025). YouTube Indonesian Blind Association (Pertuni).