Super time in Kuala Langat

I HAD a super time on Sunday.

And apparently, so did more than thirty other Malaysians with disabilities and their caregivers.

We were all in Kuala Langat in Selangor, attending a Deepavali gathering that was hosted by the district (MDKL). It was held at the Sri Jugra Hall.

It must be pointed out that this was not the usual type of special event that are often held for the handicapped. Rather, it was a super duper do that was like no other that I have attended or seen before.

I was invited as the main speaker to give a talk to the disabled community. The invitation came to me in my capacity as a disabled councillor for the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ).

Two other speakers were there too.

They were Gurdip Kaur, the councillor with disability for the Selayang local council and Francis Siva. The latter is a tetraplegic who is president of the self help NGO called Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor.

Whilst we all were invited to instil confidence among the local denizens there; it turned out that it was us who were really inspired by all of them.

Particularly to Kuala Langat councillor Janarthani Arumugam who put the whole event together.

Here are some of the things that she and her team (all of whom are able-bodied) achieved on that day that made a huge impression on us. We hope that more people will be able to follow their fine example and organise programmes for us in the same manner.

1. Excellent turnout: Only two persons of those invited did not show up. This clearly shows that the organisers were meticulous about their homework. Their personal and frequent visits to their guests in their home weeks before the event to encourage them to come paid off handsomely.

2. People with disabilities were the focus and priority: Able-bodied people were kept to the bare minimum. The majority of people in the hall were persons with physical and developmental handicaps. The speeches were not about certain politicians’ personal achievements but rather on the capabilities of Malaysians with handicaps. The real VIPs were the latter along with their caregivers.

3. Disabled were not onlookers but active participants: In addition to the three of us, the organisers picked a local disabled woman with muscular dystrophy to present a session. Even though her talk and video presentation lasted only a few minutes, I am glad that the MDKL thought that it was important to make such an inclusion in their programme. Opportunities such as these are what the disabled are always asking for.

4. There was great sensitivity to the disabled: Even though there was a stage (which was inaccessible), the organisers conducted everything off the platform to make it convenient for wheelchair users. Words such as “normal”, “unfortunate/fortunate”, “finding a cure” and “tragedy” were not uttered as these are offensive to quite a few handicapped people.

5. Caregivers and parents were recognised: The best part for me of the whole event was to watch the beaming smiles on the faces of the proud mothers and fathers going up to the front to receive the RM50 Deepavali Ang Pows for their children.

Each of their sons and daughters’ names were read out loud – and in full – as they wheeled, carried or held each of their hands as they marched forward. The children also seemed excited, although some of them did not fully understand what was going on.

For many of them, this was also a rare opportunity to see so many other disabled persons and their parents at the gathering. Realising that they are not alone in their struggles must have certainly been a wonderful encouragement for them.

The able-bodied VIPs who were presenting the gifts made it a point to shake each of their hands even though their bodies uncontrollably twitched and shook in wild excitement.

In addition to the above, wheelchairs that were available were given free to those in need. Others who didn’t have one were promised that they would be given one as soon as someone donates one.

The MDKL Yang Di Pertua Tuan Mohd Ahir Bin Haji Zawawi showed great interest in the MBPJ’s disabled friendly van and expressed that he was looking into getting one for the disabled community in his district.

He also said that he would work to get the Jugra hall and many other buildings accessible for the disabled in the near future.

Back in the stadium, I saw that there were many other things that the disabled still needed for themselves. Some of them were so simple such as a pair of shoes to protect their feet and even a moisturising cream to treat their chaffed skin.

They also need regular transportation to a government specialist to treat their medical problems. For more information on these and other matters, please contact Janarthani at 0164362301.

Note: Pictures are by courtesy of the Independent Living and Training Centre in Rawang, Selangor.

The End