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On being Independent

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On being Independent

Eduardo Jorge had a car accident on February 20th, 1991. A spinal cord injury left him quadriplegic. He was 28 years old.

Eduardo Jorge had a car accident on February 20th, 1991. A spinal cord injury left him quadriplegic. He was 28 years old.

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He laid in a bed for 10 years. He managed to regain part of his hands and arms movement. Having an internet connection opened up his world. He began knowing his rights and fighting for them. He got a degree in Social Sciences.

Eduardo became an activist for an independent living law in Portugal. He went on hunger strike in front of the Portuguese Parliament and traveled more than 100 miles on his wheelchair, from Abrantes, where he lived, to Lisbon.

He laid in a bed for 10 years. He managed to regain part of his hands and arms movement. Having an internet connection opened up his world. He began knowing his rights and fighting for them. He got a degree in Social Sciences. Eduardo became an activist for an independent living law in Portugal. He went on hunger strike in front of the Portuguese Parliament and traveled more than 100 miles on his wheelchair, from Abrantes, where he lived, to Lisbon.

The State provided him, exceptionally, with a caregiver 8 hours per day. But during the night, weekends and holidays, Eduardo had to pay from his own pocket another person that could help him get out of bed, have a meal, and do his hygiene. With a fragile health condition and no answers from the State to his plea, he decided he could no longer live alone.

The State provided him, exceptionally, with a caregiver 8 hours per day. But during the night, weekends and holidays, Eduardo had to pay from his own pocket another person that could help him get out of bed, have a meal, and do his hygiene. With a fragile health condition and no answers from the State to his plea, he decided he could no longer live alone.

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