Joselito Hernandez, the boy who was blinded by a stray bullet (see DR1 Daily News 26 August and 13 September 2005) is now learning to read and write in Braille, and demonstrated his new skills at the Presidential Palace during a function commemorating the International Day of the Handicapped in the presence of Vice President Rafael Alburquerque, as reported by Listin Diario. The Vice President said that Joselito is a symbol of self-improvement and demonstrates that handicaps should not hinder the achievement of success in life. Alburquerque chairs the National Handicap Council (CONADIS) and reported that when he took over the department it had 600 employees and was abandoned and inoperative. Today the payroll has been reduced to 60 employees and it is working efficiently. The event at the Palace was attended by the Dominican Foundation for the Blind, a string and song ensemble from the Rehabilitation Society’s Special Education School, a percussion group from the National Board of Trustees for the Blind and a folkloric dance group from the Santa Rosa Deaf-Mute Institute. Also present were the Presidential Administrative Secretary, Luis Manuel Bonnetti, Director of the Rehabilitation Institute, Mary Perez de Marranzini, CONADIS Director Rosa Pena Paula, and Ediletta Sobrello from the Cibao Rehabilitation Board of Trustees.
Diario Libre describes how Joselito became the star attraction during the ceremony at the Presidential Palace. It is now three months since the boy was blinded by a stray bullet. In his short address written in Braille, Joselito thanked President Leonel Fernandez and all other people who are helping him regain his independence.
In a related case, Listin Diario reports that a nine-month-old girl was hit by a stray bullet in Los Guaricanos last Monday, and is recovering from surgery carried out at Robert Reid Cabral hospital in Santo Domingo. Esmarlin Castillo Suero is the daughter of Mariveily Suero and Rafael Castillo. She was hit on the left side of her head while sleeping at home.