Disabled group upset over ‘terrible’ action

November 4, 2011

The ban on Seksualiti Merdeka festival will earn the derision of forward-looking countries, says Petpositive.

PETALING JAYA: The banning of the “Seksualiti Merdeka” festival by the police yesterday has earned the scorn of disabled rights activist Anthony Thanasayan.

Anthony, the Petpositive (Malaysian Animal Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and the Elderly Association) president said that an event such as Seksualiti Merdeka greatly affected the disabled people as well.

“It is a handicap to be disabled. It is a double handicap to be also gay,” said Thanasayan, who has counselled many homosexuals, both abled bodied and disabled.

“People forget that the disabled, including the deaf and blind, are human too. Sexuality transcends the able-bodied or disabled. They are always advised not to think about sex. For many of us,
our genitalia still work; besides, sexuality is not limited to your genitalia,” said Thanasayan, who is wheelchair-bound himself.

Thanasayan said it is much worse for a disabled person who has sexual confusion to find help, and this could even lead to those who are not homosexual to turn gay in the process.

“This is because the disabled have limited chances to explore their sexuality, whereas an able-bodied person has more chances. Out of desperation, I have seen cases where a man goes into a relationship with an uncle, or brother because they have no other options,” he said.

Thanasayan, who is also a councillor with the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ), said that an event such as Seksualiti Merdeka allows everyone – abled-bodied as well as the disabled – to know themselves and this is vital for a good relationship or marriage.

“I went to the Seksualiti Merdeka event and I am so happy, because finally I see some people who can approach such issues with maturity, without discrimination,” he said.

“But today I see everything has crumbled. This (banning Seksualiti Merdeka) is a terrible step for Malaysia and would earn the derision of other more forward-looking countries. This kind of action is always based on ignorance; it will promote prejudice. Thus, this will increase the frustration of those in the minority community, and can also lead to suicidal tendencies,” said Thanasayan.

Police have banned the ongoing Seksualiti Merdeka festival, saying strong action would be taken against those who defied the directive.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar said the law in the country did not recognise any deviationist activity that could destroy the practice of religious freedom.

Seksualiti Merdeka is an annual sexuality rights festival celebrating human rights of people of diverse sexual orientation and gender identity. A coalition of NGOs, artistes, activists and individuals had been organising the event since 2008.

This year’s event, “Queer Without Fear”, started on Tuesday at The Annexe Gallery, Kuala Lumpur. It will end on Nov 13.

Thursday November 3, 2011

Awkward moments

Rules are meant to be bent – sometimes.

LAST week, I received an interesting mail from a blind reader who identified herself as Vicky. She shared how awkward it was for her whenever she needed to answer nature’s call.

“I don’t have to use the toilet for the handicapped because I don’t have a problem with my limbs. But on many occasions when I headed to the loo for able-bodied people, I was stopped by an attendant or a staff member, and redirected to the toilet for the handicapped.

“I realise these people mean well. But no matter how much I try to explain to them that I am capable of using the so-called ‘normal’ toilet, they would insist that I use the toilet for the disabled because I am blind.

“This slows me down, especially when the toilet is occupied. I also do not want to take up space, in case a wheelchair-user comes along with an emergency,” explained Vicky.

On a roll: The writer trying out the Helio during a recent trip to Malacca.

She suggested that perhaps it would be more appropriate to have a label on the toilet door which reads: Reserved for wheelchair users.

On the issue of employment, Vicky opined that it would be best if the Government could step in and subsidise assistive devices such as screen readers for the visually impaired or toilets for those in wheelchairs.

“Otherwise employers may consider us ‘too expensive’ for their budget and pass the job to the non-disabled instead.

“When giant companies such as IBM, Google and even Nasa can employ blind programmers in their countries, why are the blind in Malaysia only expected to become masseurs, basket-weavers, telephone operators or trinket-sellers on street corners?” she asked.

On another note, I’ve been busy testing out the Helio, an innovative high performance wheelchair from Canada. Everything about this latest chair on wheels will make any handicapped person sit up and take notice.

The Helio has an ultralight body. This makes it easy for even a woman to carry the wheelchair into the boot of her car. The wheelchair comes with highly detachable parts, so drivers with disabilities can dismantle the key parts and place them in the back seat without help.

A unique feature of the Helio is that each wheelchair part can be ordered to suit the user’s needs. There are as many as 21 different accessories to choose from.

Despite its light weight, the Helio is no delicate beauty. It has a robust body which gives added confidence to the user. The Helio is so smooth that it glides across effortlessly with a single push, unlike conventional wheelchairs.

The only downside is that the Helio is priced between RM8,000 and RM10,000. You may need to shell out more for add-ons.

Produced by a company called Motion Composites, the Helio comes in six colour frames. It will be making its debut in Malaysia and other South-East Asian countries very soon. For details on the product, please e-mail the local distributor KG Teo at bbbteo@yahoo.com.sg

Love and Hope Charity Dinner

Love and Hope Charity Dinner which was held recently on 16th Sept 2011 from 7.00pm to 11.00pm at Thean Hou Temple, KL.

Love and Hope Charity Dinner was attended by more than 1000 sponsors, donors, receiver of wheelchairs and other well-wishers and was officially opened by Mr. Pathmanathan Nalasamy, Ketua Penolong Pengarah Jabatan Pembangunan Orang Kurang Upaya of Jabatan Kebajikan Masyarakat, YB Teresa Kok, and YB Ronnie Liu.

ILTC extends our heartiest and sincere thanks and appreciation to Pertubuhan Orang Cacat Cina Malaysia for the kind contribution of 4 units of light weight fully detachable wheelchair (every wheelchair costs RM1500) for the ILTC members with the vision to assist people with disabilities to lead independent lives without fear and comprehension as well as to integrate them into society and to be a part of a productive workforce of the nation towards this charity event.

World Hunger Relief Malaysia

The World Hunger Relief Malaysia campaign is an initiative of KFC and Pizza Hut Malaysia stores nationally. All funds raised had donated to the United Nations World Food Program.

More than 8,000 people was taking part in the "Be The Movement" charity walk on last Saturday 29/10/2011 at 4.00pm in Putrajaya, in support of the World Hunger Relief cause under the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).

The 5km walk, which starts and ends at the Palace of Justice in Precinct 3, is organised by Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) and Pizza Hut Malaysia, which are owned by QSR Brands Berhad.

Nestle Malaysia and Fitness First are also taking part for the first time in this annual cause.

Apart from the walk, there was a mini-carnival with fun activities.

The main purpose is to create greater public awareness about many underdeveloped nations facing a constant struggle to provide enough food for their people and also to put an end to famine and starvation.

ILTC giving a big thank you to all those that came to the walk.

KFC Holdings (M) Bhd contributed to ILTC RM5000.00 under the corporate social responsibility.

PROGRESS REPORT: Updates - Photos of Construction Progress at ILTC Project on 01/11/2011