MY job as city councillor for Petaling Jaya (MBPJ) – and my volunteer work as president of Petpositive, a national animal-assisted therapy association for the disabled and elderly in Kuala Lumpur – frequently take me to a number of events and places.
Last Sunday I was invited to represent both of my positions.
The occasion wonderfully turned out to be one of the most unusual ones that I had attended in a while.
Best of all, it was not only I who ended up feeling deeply moved by the entire event, but the experience – I was informed later – turned out to be equally inspiring for the rest of the VIP guests who were seated in our table.
We were there together with about 200 people with Parkinson’s (PwP), their caregivers and supporters to witness the signing of an extremely important document called the “Global Declaration for Parkinson’s disease (PD)”.
The international charter was put together by the Geneva-based WHO in 1997.
The masterpiece for the world’s estimated 6.3 million population of PwP (more than 15,000 in Malaysia) promises to make a big difference for PwP around the globe.
Malaysia’s signing of the charter earlier this month and by PwP themselves last Sunday is expected to get our government and healthcare providers to observe the special World Charter which amongst others, stresses on the need for access to appropriate treatment for PwP, as well as the right to manage their own conditions.
The declaration also highlights the need for greater awareness about PD in order to combat stigma and discrimination against them.
Important steps are also needed to encourage partnerships between neuroscientists and health workers to devise ways to improve access to care and treatment for all PwP.
Special care should be taken to also include the management of medication’s side-effects especially among the elderly.
The official document also calls for the need to reach out to all ethnic and cultural groups in helping them overcome negative attitudes in society towards having a chronic neurological and psychiatric illness like PD.
The VIPs who were made up of top local neuroscientist doctors, a welfare official, politician, managers of drug companies and social activists all made a solemn but proud beeline to sign the document in front of flashing cameras by the news media.
However, the most inspiring moment came when it was time for PwP’s themselves to sign the document. They came forward in their wheelchairs, pushed from behind by their caregivers.
Even then, they were seen fighting with their conditions as they struggled to hold their hands still and move their stiffened bodies to firmly hold the pen in order to put in their signatures.
When one of the speakers wished for a cure for PD within a few years, they all cheered as best as they could with their weakened voices and tried to clap their hands as loud as they could.
However, when it was suggested that it was more important for everyone to always stay on top of their conditions no matter if a cure was found soon or not, everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
The half day event which began at 10am and lasted until lunchtime in a hotel in KL also had PwP actively participating in the other parts of the programme instead of remaining only as spectators as is sometimes sadly the case when things are organised for the disabled.
One could see how delighted they all were in taking part in a celebration that was all about them. Sunday’s event incidentally was part of the World Parkinson’s Day occasion that was observed on April 11 this month.
PwP also took part in solo and group singing and dancers that was explained is highly therapeutic for them in loosening, and at the same time strengthening to their generally stiff bodies and vocal cords.
Some even played the harmonica that got the rest of the able-bodied audience clapping and dancing along.
Some of them fumbled on an occasion or two. But the organisers in good sport just allowed them to start all over again until they got it right.
The whole occasion was not about competition about who was better than the other but one of full participation where everyone got to do what they wanted to – no matter how slowly or long they took to get it done.
“It essentially was a great and rare day out for PwP,” observed Dr Norlinah Mohamed, one of the advisers for the Malaysian Parkinson’s Disease Association in Kuala Lumpur, a national support group in the country who organised the whole event.
“It’s vital for PwP to get out to have a good time with others and fellow members so that they know they are never alone in their struggles,” added the PD expert who is attached with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Medical Centre (PPUKM) in Cheras in Kuala Lumpur.
Incidently, Dr Norlinah was appointed last Saturday as Chairperson of the Movement Disorders Council, an expert body which also focuses on PD which is appointed by the Malaysian Society of Neurosciences in KL.
The End
PET+BLOGSPOT is the official online blog of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association (Petpositive). Our contents are ACCURATE, RELIABLE and THE LATEST. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then is 35,000 hits and counting. PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly take note that views expressed in this blog are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my
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