Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Petpositive's Big Mall Day with the disabled and the elderly

Finally, it's a big-mall day
By Anu Venugopal December 23, 2008 Categories: News

It was wheelchair-bound Abhi Vajayan’s first-ever visit yesterday to MidValley Megamall.

She was happy that she finally got the opportunity to see and experience what many Malaysians encounter every weekend. Abhi, whose full name is Nyanamabiga, was one of 30 disabled and mostly elderly people who were invited to be part of a special day organised by the MidValley, Cititel and Boulevard hotels.

"We wanted to give them an opportunity to experience a normal life, having lunch at the hotel, going around the mall and experiencing a day they would remember," said the hotels’ communication manager, Huang Chia Ming.

Abhi has just finished studying for a diploma in office administration at MCS College in Banting and hopes to further her studies overseas.

"Although I would like to continue my studies right now, I know it’s difficult. I hope to get a job in administration, preferably with the government and hope to give my siblings a better life," she added.

Abhi, 23, and her two siblings, Megala, 22, and Gobinathan, 20, are also wheelchair-bound. All three live in Banting, Klang with their parents, Devigi and Vajayan.

The three siblings rarely have an opportunity to visit shopping malls in the city, as they face difficulty getting transportation, even to college.

"This is a special treat for them. It’s very difficult and expensive for my children to have a day out, as we have to pay RM10 for taxi fares every time they go out," said Devigi.

The event was supported by The Malaysian Anima-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive), together with assistance from councillor of the Kuala Langat District Council, Janarthani Arumugam.

"Janarthani and I worked together to select those who are here," said Pet Positive president Anthony Thanasayan. He added that those selected for the event never experienced dining at a hotel or shopping at shopping centres in the city.

"We just wanted them to have a feel of the Christmas spirit and enjoy the freedom that normal people have, " he added.

1 comment:

stanley said...

Anthony you have done a wonderful job and brought joy and christmas sprit to the children of God which i think nobody nobody could can do it
bringing from Kuala Langat and having a day in a lcnch in a hotel & see a shopping complex with full of lights.The good lord will always bless you & Janarthani for the rest of your life. Both of you keep up the good work for charity and as a Councilor.