Weekend View: Getting A Chance To Speak - wheel power, the star

I NEARLY fell off my wheelchair last Friday, folks! Honest.

It was not because of an accident or anything like that.

Rather, it was for an incredibly good reason. And my eyes almost popped out in disbelief at the news.

I was thrilled to bits to discover in The Star that I had been picked as one of the five councillors with disabilities by the new Government in Selangor.

(At the time of writing this article, however, the other four handicapped representatives’ identities had not yet been disclosed.)

I was especially surprised as I had not made any application for the post.

Which disabled person would not jump for joy over such news?

Being included in decision-making bodies has been the clarion cry of disabled advocates the world over for ages.

In fact there is one particularly popular saying that has served as a common motto for most disabled persons and organisations around the world.

It is this: “Nothing about us, without us.”

What this means is that whenever decisions are made about handicapped people anywhere, it is imperative and only proper that disabled people themselves be involved in such processes.

More so in matters that determine their future and livelihood.

Malaysia is no exception.

For nearly two decades, Malaysians with handicapping conditions and organisations that support us have been calling for opportunities to be involved in decision-making bodies.

Although well-meaning, we were generally fed up with non disabled people such as doctors, social workers and others speaking up on our behalf.

Without wanting to seem unappreciative, one really has no clue as to what disability is unless one has “walked a mile in our shoes.”

I mean that literally.

Treating disabled persons and being with them is not the same at all as living life in a wheelchair or having a neurological condition, for examples.

And it is no surprise to us either why many local councils have not got many things right so far for the handicapped.

When you consider their lack of orientation with handicapped conditions, who can really blame anyone?

Pavements for wheelchair users are not completely flattened at access points.

The blind can’t avoid crashing into lampposts and garbage bins that are positioned indiscriminately on walkways.

Lifts made for wheelchairs have pathways with a sudden step or two to access them.

Disabled-friendly car parks are nowhere to be seen. When you do come across one, it is tucked away at a distance rather than next to entrances of buildings.

These are just some of the myriad of ridiculously challenging situations that Malaysians with disabilities have to needlessly confront in Petaling Jaya, for instance, where I am to serve.

Local authorities, therefore, need to be in touch with real people in order to be able to make a real difference in the lives of the people in their municipalities.

Studies in more advanced nations abroad show that things for the disabled had only effected a positive change when disabled citizens were part and parcel with non disabled members in local councils.

Despite our earnest plea, our calls had only fallen on deaf years. Even when disabled persons were consulted previously, it was never as fully-fledged councillors.

Not until now.

Hence the move by the Selangor Government to finally include disabled persons into the local council on an equal status is a history-making effort since the birth of our nation.

They certainly deserve our praise for having taken the unprecedented and bold step to do this.

As for me, this is a completely new journey.

It is never about supporting political parties on any side but rather to use my God-given new position and influence in the local council to help do what is needed to raise the quality of lives of the disabled and elderly in our society.

I also hope to play an instrumental role through my NGO Petpositive.

I hope that I will be able to help bring a new understanding about the tremendous, unique and complementary role that animals and pets play in the lives of handicapped and elderly Malaysians through the power of animal-assisted therapy.

I will be attending meetings with my canine companion Soo who is trained to assist me during an emergency – whether it is to rush to my aid or call for help when required.

When I am seen there with him, I hope that prejudices in whatever form will be set aside.

Instead of some people expecting me to see things from their point of view, I hope that they will be magnanimous and see things from my perspective instead.

Special pets play an indispensable and key role in providing greater independence in the lives of the handicapped – often far greater than humans ever can or have the time to do.

Well, wish me luck, everyone! I can’t wait to tell you more about my adventures!

The End