I decided to write this second letter because I sincerely think there is the need to continue emphasising the point of lack of accessibility for people with special needs and to continue to raise awareness on this matter. Before I continue, however, I would like to thank those people who showed interest in what I had to say in my previous letter and to those who have supported me. I would like to thank Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, who replied to my letter within a very short space of time. I would also like to thank KNPD (National Commission Persons with Disability), especially Joseph Camilleri, NPSPD (National Parents' Society of Persons with Disability), as well as Lino Spiteri and Alex Perici Calascione. I would sincerely like to thank all of them from the bottom of my heart because their support has meant a lot to me.

Back to my point. We have been talking about the lack of accessibility for people with special needs and ways of "solving" this problem for quite some time but I think that first and foremost we have to create much more awareness and make more and more people conscious of this matter. The saying that you have to learn to walk before you learn to run seems adequate in the sense that it is difficult to move forward when such a large number of people disregard this issue, simply because they do not care about the issue given the fact that it does not affect them personally. This may, in my opinion, be regarded as egoism. This is the reason why I sincerely believe that in a bid to move forward, we need to all work together to change some people's mentality.

Something which I did not emphasis in my previous letter and which I strongly believe in, is the lack of employment opportunities for persons with special needs. I believe there are opportunities but simply not enough! Unfortunately, some employers are worried about hiring an individual with special needs. This problem occurs because those who are employing are simply not conscious enough about the issue. Which brings me back to my previous point and thus on the need to continue stressing this point and to change the prevailing mentality. This in particular requires a drive in education particularly for children at a young age. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for individuals with special needs to be looked at awkwardly by children who may not know better especially when their parents do the same thing. It is thus no surprise that children have such a reaction.

Furthermore, I also think it is high time that "certain" people with little regard for persons with special needs learn how to get along with individuals with special needs. I for one cannot stand it when people have the audacity to continue staring at me or refer to me as "miskina". For me it is the worst adjective you can use simply for the fact that despite my disability I have managed to succeed in my goals, and will continue to set goals and challenges for myself. Therefore there is no need to pity me. All I ask for is that the environment in which I, like anyone else, live in allows me to continue to live my life without creating unnecessary hurdles.

Therefore, I will continue to stress my point. I am convinced that with a little effort from everyone in the community, things will eventually get better. Once again I would like to appeal to all persons with special needs to make their voices heard so that everyday difficulties which we encounter can be solved. I would also like to thank again all those who in one way or another seek to help us overcome these challenges. I do think that some progress has been achieved but there is still a long way to go. There is a great deal of difference between what is said and what is actually done. I will not give up because I have faith that with everyone on board, this plight will eventually be met.