And so did scores of others who turned up like me at a special event to mark World Parkinson’s Day (WPD) in our country.
The global awareness-raising celebration, which is famously noted for its red tulip as a universal symbol for the disease, falls on April 11 each year.
In Malaysia, however, it was observed a day later at Petaling Jaya’s Astaka sports field in Selangor.
The organisers of the half-day event were the good folks over at the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association (MPDA) in Kuala Lumpur.
The NGO which I am a member of has been in existence since 1994.
About 150 denizens – many mostly elderly persons with Parkinson’s disease (PD) – were accompanied by their caregiver families, volunteers and friends.
With their wheelchairs and walking aids, they converged as early as 8am in the relatively quiet field of the modest sports venue which is cleverly tucked away behind the Federal Highway and a couple of religious buildings in the area.
Others arrived later. This was either because they had to wait for their medications to fully take effect in their bodies or until some of their symptoms had subsided to make them well enough to travel.
Although the venue is normally used for sporting activities by the non disabled – April 12, however, was notably different.
The MPDA had no plans to let any of their members to be a spectator that day.
In fact, each one of them had to take part in the activities that were specially lined up for them in the open field.
This was the first time in recent years that the MPDA was organising an outdoor activity.
Whilst it is certainly important for all PD persons (and caregivers) to keep themselves abreast of the latest breakthroughs and treatments of their condition; I could not help thinking what a super idea and wonderful change outdoor activities made that day to the usual medical talks that have been a regular and often only feature for PD patients in the past.
It seemed to me the fresh air, coupled with the opportunity to be able to do normal things like others, is really the best answer for anyone having to live with an insidious disease inside of them that is not about to go away.
Rather than being stuck in a room and listening to endless lectures about a disease that still has no cure today, what a refreshing change such an outing made.
So I think that the MPDA certainly took a step in the right direction with its bold decision last week to have its outdoor event.
The activities included telematches with attractive prizes and a line dance session in the field.
The dances were not only fun to watch and participate but also particularly helpful and crucial for PD persons in exercising their bodies and staying in shape.
For the shy members, the able-bodied volunteers sportingly jumped in with some of the dances to encourage them on.
The star attraction, of course, was the two-hour hot air balloon ride that lifted passengers up 120 feet above the ground and back again.
Once in the air, the monstrous object was secured by thick ropes on several parked vehicles on ground. It was also guided by a few persons tugging on extra ropes from the ground.
Everyone was understandably nervous at first about taking a ride in the contraption.
However, when the first intrepid members safely and successfully completed their “journey”; there was really no stopping the rest from forming a quick beeline for their turn to get airborne.
It was truly a moving moment to watch how eager and excited many of the elderly persons with PD were about the balloon ride.
Even though some of them had great walking difficulties because of their paralysed limbs, they still persisted despite having to be carried by others into balloon basket.
If it had been an event for the able-bodied, they would not have stood a chance!
The huge smiles on their faces afterwards said everything about their trip.
It also truly and effectively spelt out the theme for the WPD event that day which was to highlight the fact that even if one had PD, there was nothing to stop him or her from going right to the top and achieving what they want for themselves.
I was also greatly impressed by the patience and support the volunteers showed in helping the PD patients in and out of the balloon. No one was rushed in any way but allowed to board and disembark according to their abilities and in their own time.
If only more people can be like this!
(PD is a condition of the nervous system that gets worse over a period of time. It causes the muscles to become weak and limbs to shake.)
The End
Note: Pictures are by Mr Sivaraman Kannan who is Vice-President of the MPDA and member of PETPOSITIVE. He has Parkinson's Disease.
Twelve members of PETPOSITIVE was specially invited by the MPDA for the event. We were the only other NGO guest at the function.
To watch a video of the hot air balloon ride click HERE.
No comments:
Post a Comment