The Star - Lifestyle
Positive changes
Wheel PowerBy ANTHONY THANASAYAN
I AM pleased to report that I have successfully lasted more than a month as a councillor for Petaling Jaya, where I have lived for nearly four decades.
I must confess I was pretty edgy at first. Who wouldn’t be when one considers the kind of responsibilities such a task entails?
My first and daily challenge is in getting dressed for the various events organised by the PJ Municipal Council (MBPJ).
The dress code requires councillors to use lounge suits for official meetings, batik for dinner and social evenings, and casual attire for outdoor and sporting events.
Those with physical disabilities will know how painstaking this task can be. Paralysed legs are like concrete slabs when you have to lift them up and bend them to fit into your trousers.
Fortunately, my service dogs help to lighten the load. They do their bit by taking turns to tug at my clothes and fetch my shoes, along with other tasks.
I am also a very lucky councillor because the MBPJ disabled-friendly van arrives at my doorstep to fetch me to all the council meetings and functions I have to attend.
Getting in and out of my wheelchair and into a car can be exhausting, especially when there are no assistants. The van has a lift to lift my wheelchair into the vehicle.
During meetings, I have the privilege of being surrounded by VIPs eager to help me. Last week, I asked a gentleman to help bring a glass of water into our boardroom, only to realise shortly afterwards that he was a Member of Parliament.
In addition to taking care of my zone which is made up of Sections 6, 7, 9 and 52, I have requested to be in charge of two projects close to my heart.
They involve the disabled and animals, namely dogs. I will head a committee involving NGOs like the SPCA to promote responsible pet ownership (RPO) among PJ residents.
If everything goes well, both animal lovers, as well as those peeved by their presence because of irresponsible pet owners, can look forward to awareness campaigns on RPO.
Expect MBPJ to get tough on pet lovers who pay no regard to their neighbours’ complaints of the misbehaviour of their dogs, too.
In view of the therapeutic role that canines offer to the disabled and elderly, these folks can expect full licence waivers for their pets.
Disabled and elderly residents in Section 10 who have been barred access into Taman Jaya because of a locked gate that has been there for several years, will now be able to enter the park to enjoy the greenery and fresh air there, like other residents.
MBPJ’s landscape department will soon be adding two entrances for the disabled to access the park. Expect to see more disabled-friendly changes taking place in PJ in the near future. These include disabled-friendly car parks, accessible pavements, wheelchair-friendly toilets, registration of PJ residents with handicaps, hospital visits and even possible welfare aid.
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