Hospital visit

Thursday November 13, 2008

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Hospital visit
WHEEL POWER WITH ANTHONY THANASAYAN

Councillors, politicians and government officials should reach out to their constituents who are in hospital.

RECENTLY a friend of mine was alarmed when I told her I was going to the hospital. However, the purpose of my trip was to visit some disabled persons who were admitted there. It was part of my job as a Petaling Jaya city councillor, I explained to my friend.

“Why?” she blurted out. “Surely that’s not part of your duties?”

Her remark had me thinking about our attitude towards visiting the sick in hospital. Why can’t it be part of the responsibility of local councillors, politicians and government officials to reach out to their constituents who are in hospital?

I’m not talking about making visits to individuals during a national disaster, which is common practice.

A private visit is more effective as I discovered during my trip last week.

The hospital had only one disabled-friendly parking lot at the entrance. For an institution where persons with wheelchairs are bound to frequent, this is inadequate. To make matters worse, the slot was occupied by a sleek BMW. I was told that the car belonged to a doctor at the hospital.

I wasn’t surprised. I know of a posh private hospital in Kuala Lumpur that allows its director to park his car in one of the two disabled parking lots at the entrance of the hospital.

This is ridiculous. Directors of institutions – and certainly doctors – who cater and care for sick, elderly and disabled ought to be the last people on earth to need education on how essential disabled-friendly features are for people who need them.

There is no point in providing such facilities if we do not ensure they are utilised accordingly.

I complained to the PR team and they wasted no time in getting the offending vehicle out of the box.

Despite this unpleasant encounter, I learnt a lot by meeting some of the patients at the hospital. I met an active paraplegic who had to lie in bed and on his stomach for a month (or more) because of a pressure sore. There was also another gentleman who dislocated his hip.

Even as they, and several others who are disabled, wait eagerly to be discharged, they are worried about the kind of bill the hospital will slap on them.

It has often been said that disabled persons are entitled to free medical treatment in government hospitals. Ironically, the policy doesn’t apply for admissions.

Something is very wrong here, and it needs to be fixed.

Power of will

Sunday November 9, 2008

The Star - Metro

Power of will
Sunday with T.SELVA

No doubt about it: where there’s a will, there’s a way.

WILLPOWER is a self-discipline energy which every individual possesses. It is not something that is reserved for a few special people only.

To learn to invoke this inner power is vital because every person can improve his or her well-being when the energy is roused.

In self-improvement studies, the hidden strength is regarded as the success tool in all areas of life.

All of us have it and awakening it is important so that we are able to cope with the various challenges because our life is not a bed of roses nor it is full of thorns either.

The ups and downs we experience should be viewed as an art of living because our existence is a lifelong learning process.

We should face all challenges using our strong willpower and without giving up.

I have a high regard for people who have strong willpower, determination and the force to overcome all shortcomings and obstacles in life because they are successful in whatever they undertake.
Mesmerising: The charity performance Awakening showcases talents from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe.

I am writing this because I was particularly moved and mesmerised last night after watching the charity performance Awakening, which showcased the talents of 27 Chinese performers from the China Disabled People’s Performing Art Troupe in Kuala Lumpur.

Despite being deaf and dumb, the talented dancers had the power to evoke in each of us a deeper understanding of our lives and of the world around us.

They portrayed independence, enhanced our sense of self-worth, and provided an avenue for everyone to learn and develop creative talents and skills.

And, perhaps most importantly, the artistes made the audience at the Plenary Hall in the KL Convention Centre realise that nothing is impossible in life if you have the willpower.

The extraordinary troupe reflected both the capabilities of people with disabilities and the power of will to transcend all barriers in the quest to reach their full potential.

Two friends whom I had invited for the show turned down the invitation saying that the show would make them feel gloomy because they would not be able to handle seeing the handicapped performing.

I felt sad for them because they could have been inspired by the performances and not otherwise because the world-class dancers displayed their superb art just like able people, if not better.

How one perceives a handicapped person is a reflection of one’s own attitude towards them and this is unfair to the impaired people whom I think should be seen with ordinary eyes.

We should be sensitive and respect people who are disabled and also understand their feelings, culture, heritage, and the language unique to deaf people of the world.

The show was unique and dazzling both visually and musically and the Chinese artistes also challenged us to recognise outmoded stereotypes and destructive attitudes that too often hinder people with disabilities in the aim to reach their goals.

They left a lasting impression in the hearts of the spectators to understand and appreciate life and mankind’s diversity as well as the goals and values we share.

I strongly feel that there is a need to integrate the able with the disabled to create better understanding, love and compassion.

People with special needs should not feel imprisoned because of their disability.

They should not feel shy about what they are and they should feel confident and that their disability does not mean they are worth less than other people.

The truth is that everyone can reach high levels if they have the willpower to make a decision, take action, and handle and execute any task until it is accomplished, regardless of inner and outer resistance, discomfort or difficulties.

The will is so powerful that it has the ability to overcome laziness, temptations and negative habits, and to carry out actions, even if they require effort, are unpleasant and tedious or are contrary to one’s habits.

T. Selva, The Star’s Sunday Metro editor, says the handicapped should be seen as a reflection of life as to how fortunate we are.

Tips on tapping into your inner strength

• Play soothing music and calm yourself and stay away from noisy places and disturbing sounds.
• Distance yourself from anger, frustrations, negativity and things that upset you.
• When faced with difficult situations, remind yourself that tough times do not remain but tough people do.
• Maintain a positive attitude no matter how difficult the situation and remain focused and clear.

Special children have a splashing time under new programme

Friday November 7, 2008

Special children have a splashing time under new programme
By JADE CHAN

THE 11 special children from the Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged (Magic) had a splashing good time at a local club’s pool as they worked their way to learn the basics of swimming.

Magic administrator Elizabeth Perera explained that they got to know Dr Rekha Ramachandran, who recommended a swimming programme for special children taught by Sridhar.

“Dr Rekha is the Down’s Syndrome Association of Tamilnadu chairperson in Chennai and a parent of a Down’s Syndrome child.

“She met with some parents at Magic and shared the activities her association does, including Sridhar’s swimming programme.

For special children: MAGIC (Malaysian Association of Guardians for the Intellectually Challenged) is a modern resource centre that offers an alternative form of education for intellectually challenged students. It is located in a quiet residential environment in Section 16, PJ

“The children were taught simple step-by-step techniques on how to swim freestyle and coordinate their hand-leg movements. It was also an opportunity for them to exercise and have fun.

“Sridhar felt that some of the children were quick to pick up on their swimming skills and most weren’t afraid of the water.

“They were all very determined and managed to swim within two weeks,” said Perera.

She pointed out that the coach, who was assisted by several volunteers and teachers, had to be very patient and have the ability to work with children of different learning levels.

“The children were sad when the programme ended and are keen to practise what they learnt.

“We will write to the Kelab Golf Perkhidmatan Awam, which allowed us to use their pool for free during our programme, to see if we can continue the swimming lessons with their coach and learn other strokes.”

Magic president Nerin Yusop said that swimming offered a great form of exercise that helped control her daughter’s blood sugar level.

“Sarah, 17, loves it so much that she’s declared it her new hobby. She’s eager to practise swimming and this shall be our new Saturday morning activity,” said Nerin.

Perera herself was thrilled that her daughter, 22-year-old Marie Anne, was able to swim within three days and hopes she would continue swimming to shed some weight. Introduction to swimming: Sridhar (second from right) guiding the children through the swimming programme through a step-by-step method, including how to kick and coordinate their hand-leg movements

Magic is a non-profit organisation conceptualised in 2000 by a group of parents whose own children are intellectually challenged and decided to start a special needs resource centre.

It offers an alternative form of education for students who have been diagnosed with Down’s Syndrome, Developmental Delay, Global Delay, autism and learning disabilities.

The swimming programme is part of Magic’s integration programmes and curriculum to cater to the students’ needs.

Other activities include arts and craft, cooking and baking, riding for the disabled, drama and body movements, and school-to-work transition programme.

An intensive life skill programme that covers areas like personal and home maintenance, budgeting and shopping, vocational skills and organised class trips is conducted to provide a more hands-on form of learning.

“Our focus is on independent, social and domestic living skills. A lot of the lessons have to be repeated and conducted through role-playing for the children to understand better,” said Perera.

“The difference with Magic is that the parents are personally involved in their children’s development and education, hence providing a heart and soul to the organisation.

“It takes longer for special children to learn, but with a lot of patience and repetition, they can.”

She advised parents to not underestimate their children’s capabilities and said that given a chance, they can excel in anything they set their minds to.

“Our vision is to have a community group home, similar to the one in Australia. It is a place where special people who are young working adults can live independently within a community.”

For more information, contact Magic at 03-7957 3082 or magiceducationcentre@yahoo.com.

Stipend of RM150 for special children in Johor

Friday November 7, 2008

Stipend of RM150 for special children in Johor

MUAR: Special children in primary and secondary schools in Johor will receive a monthly allowance of RM150, said the Mentri Besar’s special officer Datuk Mohd Ismail Mohd Shah.

Speaking to parents of 63 special children from the Parit Keroma in-community rehabilitation centre, he said that parents should register their children with the state Education Department before December.

“I have been informed that the allowance is in the 2009 Budget and the state needs to know who are eligible for next year’s school term.

“I hope parents will register the children soon as the department has to submit the list before 2009,” he said after treating the children to a Hari Raya meal recently.

Mohd Ismail said parents should realise that children with physical, muscular or mental disorders needed to learn in schools.

They should not prevent their special children from learning and give them every opportunity to go to school, he said.

Mohd Ismail said, besides knowledge, such children needed care and parents as well as relatives should be more committed in helping them.

“I hope that those yet to send their special children to in-community rehabilitation centres will do so now and not feel ashamed of such children.

“The state is providing all the necessary aid and we should play our parts in ensuring they receive the aid,” he added.