PEOPLE in many countries of the world will be observing Mother’s Day this Sunday on May 9.
Each time during this period of the year I’ve had the privilege of sharing with readers of Wheel Power the shining stories of many mothers of disabled children or who are handicapped themselves and had to raise their children in a world that gives little attention to their special needs.
The feedback from you from each one of their tales has been incredibly uplifting.
Many of you who are mothers of non disabled children have told me how reading about each of the special mothers has given you strength and purpose in your own lives in raising your own children.
One of the nongovernmental organisations that have been doing a notable work in recognising special mothers is the Kiwanis Club of Taman Tun Dr Ismail.
Better known as KITT, they were only a small band of volunteers some 15 years ago when they decided to set up a Centre for Children with Learning Disabilities.
This was in line with the organisation’s aim of service to the community.
After catering to children with a variety of mental and physical disabilities from dyslexia to autism and Down’s syndrome, it quickly became obvious to the tiny group very early on that it was not sufficient merely to provide a place where the children could sing a few songs and trace alphabets.
“We felt a responsibility to develop as best as we could, each of our special child’s potential to find his or her niche in a world which very often sees them as damaged goods,” explained Firoza Burhan, vice president of KITT and a mother of a learning disabled teenager recently to Wheel Power.
“I remember one time when KITT brought our children to a fast food outlet, one woman pulled her son away, as though fearful that her child would be ‘contaminated’ somehow by our presence,” she pointed out about the obvious prejudice that still exists among Malaysians about people with disabilities.
Burhan who works as Regional Programme Manager with the International Committee of the Red Cross in Kuala Lumpur went on to stress the fact that disability does not only touch the lives of the children, but also their parents.
She recalled an encounter she had with some mothers at a seminar during lunch break when one of them suddenly broke down.
Her eldest son had been born with mental disabilities and was becoming increasingly difficult to handle.
Instead of helping her be positive about the situation, her in-laws blamed her for bringing bad luck to the family whilst her husband ignored their child.
Despite the stress on her marriage and personal health, the mum refused to give up on trying to make a life for him. Her main worry, however, was what would happen when she left the world?
“It was for mothers like these KITT saw a need to recognize their dedication and love towards their special children,” Burhan pointed out.
“And so, we came up with our first charity dinner with a difference called the Anugerah Ibu Kiwanis (AIK).
“We timed AIK with Mother’s Day in order to provide an appropriate platform to recognize the dedication and love of our special mothers.”
Burhan said that since the first AIK as many as 50 mothers from all walks of life were treated as VIPs and given the recognition that they deserved.
They sat with numerous guests of honour and were on stage with some top local performers who sang to them.
One scene that remains etched in Burhan’s memory she said was the one with crooner DJ Dave on his knees and singing his heart out. It was in front of an elderly mother from a small village who single-handedly looks after her four adult disabled children.
“A lot of people still don’t realise the many extra challenges mothers have to deal with everyday of their lives.
“We need support from all sides – from the family, society and especially the government to provide more teachers with special education skills and better allowances.
“We are not asking for pity. Our children are not a tragedy. We love our children very much. We are just asking for equal opportunities in order to help give our special children the very best as non disabled children.” Concluded Burhan.
As part of AIK’s 10th anniversary this year, KITT is planning to bring together its past recipients together for a total and truly meaningful celebration of life and love later this year.
KITT, which is entirely made of up volunteers, is looking for more volunteers in helping out at this special event as well as to help children with learning disabilities.
Please contact KITT at 03-7722 1314 or the President/Organising Chairman AIK 2010: Rizman Ghazali (012-202 5199)
The End
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