"Because my child is small," "Because I have a disability," "Because I'm a bit busy"…
Have you given up on going out or are your days just passing by without much thought?
A lecture that we hope such people will come to hear will be held on January 18, 2025 (Saturday) at the Mabi Fureai Center in Mabi.
The event is called "Listen, Feel, and Move: A Chance to Create Connections and Change the Future, Making 'I Want to Try!' a Reality."
We spoke with Yuko Nagao, the organizer of the lecture, who said that she was able to change herself after meeting Yosuke Ochimizu, the speaker for this event.
About Yosuke Ochimizu
Yosuke Ochimizu was born in 1982 in Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.
He played soccer from a young age and experienced playing on the Kitakyushu City selection team with former Japan national team forward Yoshito Okubo during elementary school.
He worked in sales and product development at a cosmetics company, but in 2013, he developed a rare disease called primary lateral sclerosis (hereafter referred to as "PLS"), which affects 1 in a million people. PLS is a designated intractable disease that gradually causes the body, limbs, and mouth to lose movement, eventually leading to bedridden status.
In 2021, Ochimizu established PLS Co., Ltd. and has been actively giving over 100 lectures nationwide each year, aiming to create places where everyone can live comfortably.
In May of this year (2024), a lecture by Ochimizu was held at the Kurashiki Community Center.
What is the Yosuke Ochimizu Lecture "A Chance to Create 'I Want to Try!'?"
On January 18, 2025 (Saturday), a lecture by Ochimizu will be held at the Take Hall of the Mabi Fureai Center in Mabi, Kurashiki City. The title is, "Listen, Feel, and Move: A Chance to Create Connections and Change the Future, Making 'I Want to Try!' a Reality."
The details are as follows:
| Date | January 18, 2025 (Saturday) 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Reception: 1:00 PM -) |
|---|---|
| Main Venue | Mabi Fureai Center Take Hall 40-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture |
| Participation Fee | 1,000 yen Free for holders of disability certificates and one accompanying person, as well as high school students and younger |
| Application Method | ・Contact the 'Manati no Wa' email address (email address is listed on the flyer) ・Register from the application form |
In the lecture, the first half will feature Ochimizu speaking with only a microphone, without slides or materials, and the second half will include a discussion on "Life" with five guests and Ochimizu.
Interview with Yuko Nagao, the Initiator of the Lecture
The initiator of the Yosuke Ochimizu lecture is Yuko Nagao, who is also a wheelchair user like Ochimizu. We spoke with Nagao about the background of organizing the lecture and her thoughts leading up to it.
Can you tell us what inspired you to plan the Yosuke Ochimizu lecture?
Nagao (honorifics omitted)
When Ochimizu gave a lecture at the Kurashiki Community Center in May, I attended as a regular audience member. I was captivated by his storytelling, which was done with just a microphone and no slides or materials.
The words he spoke, such as "Positivity is a skill!" and "Let's make choices that fill our hearts," resonated deeply with me. I began to reflect on what I wanted to do now, especially after having suffered from a spinal tumor two years ago, which led me to establish 'Manati no Wa', a voluntary organization.
'Manati no Wa' started after I won a project that allowed me to experience the precious moment of entering a pool with my child for the first time as a wheelchair user. Now, I want to provide opportunities for everyone to enjoy the pool and hold events and lectures that anyone can participate in.
This lecture is the first external event for 'Manati no Wa'. I wanted to share Ochimizu's story and his words, which moved my heart and led me to action, with as many people as possible, which is why I planned this lecture.
I hear that you and Ochimizu have something in common.
Nagao
That's right. Both Ochimizu and I became wheelchair users due to illness. Interestingly, we even share the same birth date. Additionally, we both enjoy drinking alcohol (laughs).
Can you tell us why you chose the Mabi Fureai Center's Take Hall as the venue?
Nagao
This lecture is being held as part of the Idea (Citizen Project) Public Recruitment Project that was solicited by the Mabi Fureai Center.
The Take Hall at the Mabi Fureai Center can accommodate 976 people. Therefore, it allows wheelchair users and strollers to enter the venue, and it also has private rooms for those who may be sensitive to surrounding noise or large crowds.
Since both Ochimizu and I are wheelchair users, we decided to use the Take Hall, anticipating that similar individuals would attend.
It seems that there is a lot of consideration for participants with disability certificates and those with children.
Nagao
We made the holders of disability certificates and one accompanying person free to encourage them to use this lecture as a chance to go out.
Having become a wheelchair user myself, I understand the anxiety of going to a new place for the first time and how the financial burden of going out can lead some individuals with disabilities to give up on going out. This time, we have created flat areas and private seating that can accommodate many wheelchair users, making it easier for those with disabilities or special needs to participate. By making the participation fee free for holders of disability certificates, we aimed to reduce the financial burden as well.
Since the speaker, Ochimizu, is a wheelchair user, we expect many participants with disabilities. Opportunities for individuals with disabilities to meet face-to-face are rare, so we hope this will be a chance for interaction.
Additionally, I am not only a wheelchair user but also a parent. When there is a lecture I want to attend on a holiday, I sometimes take my child with me. I have experienced situations where my child wanted to go to the bathroom or got bored and left during the lecture. When that happens, I feel guilty for disturbing those around me.
However, I believe it is necessary to provide opportunities for parents to participate in lectures they are interested in. Therefore, this time, we have made flat areas that can accommodate strollers and designated seats near the back door as family seating to make it easier for parents with children to attend.
On the day of the event, Okayama's local hero "Otogi Senki (Fairy Tale War Chronicles) Momoseiber" will also be present. Additionally, Aeon Fantasy, which helped me with the project of entering the pool with my child, will provide sticker books and other gifts for children under elementary school age (items they can enjoy during the lecture), so I hope this will also encourage attendance.
What do you hope participants will feel through this lecture?
Nagao
I hope that, like me, after hearing Ochimizu's story, participants will feel motivated and be able to turn their desires into reality.
In that sense, I don't want it to end with "I'm glad I got to hear from an amazing person." I hope that after participating in this lecture, they will think about "What is the one thing I want to do the most right now?" and take some action.
To ensure that the content of the lecture resonates with everyone, regardless of disability or age, we have arranged a discussion panel in the second half of the lecture.
This discussion panel will feature five individuals of various ages and genders, including an 11-year-old child, who will share their dreams and life experiences. By having participants from different generations, I hope it will provide an opportunity for attendees to relate the lecture to their own lives.
Finally, please share a message with the readers.
Nagao
Ochimizu is from Kitakyushu, but he appears on YouTube and in the media, so there are opportunities to hear his story without meeting him face-to-face. However, I want you to come and meet Ochimizu in person and feel his expressions and serious gaze while he speaks.
I think it’s difficult to take immediate action after hearing a lecture, but I believe that even one thing that resonates in your heart can positively influence your tomorrow or future.
That’s why I encourage you to come to the venue and meet Ochimizu in person. I look forward to your participation.
Conclusion
My meeting with Nagao was also triggered by the lecture given by Ochimizu at the Kurashiki Community Center in May.
I have a hearing impairment, and Nagao has a physical disability, and we each hold a physical disability certificate, but since our disabilities are different, we rarely meet other users of physical disability certificates in our daily lives.
However, I remember that there were various participants with different disabilities at the May lecture, and I was surprised to see how many people with physical disabilities gathered in Kurashiki.
On the other hand, I was also impressed that most of the participants were able-bodied individuals without physical disabilities. Regardless of disability, many people were likely moved by Ochimizu's story and seriously considered "What do I want to do?"
The event "A Chance to Create 'I Want to Try!'" will be held right at the beginning of 2025. How about using Ochimizu's lecture as an opportunity to think about what kind of year you want to make 2025?
Data on the Yosuke Ochimizu Lecture "A Chance to Create 'I Want to Try!'"
| Name | Yosuke Ochimizu Lecture "A Chance to Create 'I Want to Try!'" |
|---|---|
| Date | January 18, 2025 (Saturday) 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM (Reception: 1:00 PM -) |
| Location | 40-1 Ayata, Mabi-cho, Kurashiki City |
| Participation Fee (Tax Included) | 1,000 yen (Free for high school students and holders of disability certificates and one accompanying person) |
| Website | Official Facebook Page |
