Delegation of the Legislative Yuan Comes!

Since its founding in 1999, TFRD has considered itself as a third department outside of the government capable of pooling resources with the power of the private sector to help RD patients be treated with the respect they deserve in all aspects. Today, for the first time, TFRD welcomed the government authorities such as the Legislative Yuan, the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Hsinchu County Government to visit TFRD, which shows that Rare Welfare Center not only serves as a platform to connect RD patients' families throughout Taiwan, but also has the capabilities to work with the government on a future basis.

More than 50 guests were guided by Ms. Serena Wu, the founder, Tseng Min-chieh, the co-founder, and Ruth, the Executive Director, to experience 3 key highlights of the center: (1) the "Gene Education Center", which integrates popular science and life education to promote a proper understanding of rare diseases through games; (2) the "Welfare Device and Service Center", which pioneers the bathing experience for patients with rare diseases by using disabled-friendly bathing equipment to relieve the burden of caregivers while providing humanized care services for severe patients; (3) the "Horticulture Classroom and Greenhouse", in which the healing power of green can be demonstrated. On that day, the horticultural instructor, Ms. Huang, who is also a LAM patient, made mint bubble drinks for the guests. Many of the guests saw the small succulent plants in the greenhouse and couldn't help but feel the love for them. The Minister of Labor, Hsu Ming-chun, also made a donation and called on everyone present to bring home a plant.

During the exchange and discussion, all parties provided their insights on rare disease services, and the Ministry of Labor (MOL) pledged its cooperation with TFRD's Rare Welfare Center this year. This collaboration aims to support RD patients, their families, physically challenged groups, and handicapped individuals in developing vocational skills. The MOL together with TFRD will achieve this goal through various programs, including the Temporary Work Subsidy Program, the Migrant Vocational Training Program, and the Youth Employment Preparation Program. TFRD would like to express our sincere gratitude once again for the invaluable assistance provided by legislators Chiu Tai-yuan and Chang Yu-mei. We are also deeply appreciative of the support extended by numerous central officials, including Minister of Ministry of Labor (MOL) Hsu Ming-chun, Director of Labor Development Agency (LDA) Tsai Meng-liang, Branch Director of LDA of MOL in Tao-Chu-Miao Lin Shu-yuan, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW) Wang Bi-sheng, Director of Health Promotion Agency of MOHW Wu Zhao-jun, Deputy Director of Social and Family Affairs Agency of MOHW Chang Mei-mei, Head of Central Health Insurance Administration of MOHW Lin Bao-feng, and Director of Social Affairs Department, Hsinchu County Government. We believe that by working together, the public and private sectors will be able to provide more comprehensive and appropriate welfare services to families with rare diseases in Taiwan.

Translator: David Lee (Becker Muscular Dystrophy)