Disabled Awards That Are More Down-To-Earth

INTERNATIONAL Day for Persons with Disabilities (IDPD) last week was observed with scores of notable events and happenings around the globe.

One of the most meaningful parts to me is the special recognition given out to outstanding disabled individuals in society.

Malaysia was no exception to this rule.

The National Welfare Department in Kuala Lumpur dished out as much as RM5000 each to their handicapped recipients for their achievements in the fields of employment and business.     

YB Dr Xavier Kumar launched the event

Last Saturday, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) also joined in the celebrations.

They decided to do something significantly different this year.

MBPJ chose to lionise ordinary persons with disabilities (PwDs) as well along with the handful of handicapped people who had excelled in the academic field.    

As a result more than a thousand people at a local shopping centre where the event was held got to witness three very ordinary disabled Malaysians being appreciated for their courage and determination in overcoming the daily barriers they have to confront every day.

And I’m not talking at all about disabilities but rather the many obstacles out there in the form of physical and attitudinal structures built largely for an able-bodied world.

A blind young man who made it to University was recognised for its effort. For the first time I also witnessed a young woman with dyspraxia (a learning disability) and an elderly woman with Parkinson’s disease being honoured for IDPD.

Person with Parkinson's honoured at IPDA

The women were recognised simply because of being feisty and willing to face their daily challenges.    

Talking about incredibly inspiring individuals, 51-year old Chong Tuck Meng who hails from Bentong in Pahang is certainly one of them.

Although he has been sitting in a wheelchair for 30-years since his accident put him there, calling him “wheelchair-bound” is something of a misnomer. 

Despite being paralysed from his chest down after his nasty motorcycle crash (Chong was riding pinion with his best friend in front who died on the spot), the plucky individual went on to become team manager for wheelchair rugby and basketball in Pahang today.   

It is no surprise at all that Chong was presented the “Disabled Sports Leadership” last month by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in his hometown last month. He received a plaque, certificate and cash reward of RM2000.

“I was simply thrilled by the recognition – it shows that the disabled can do anything and being handicapped does not signal the end of life,” said a beaming Chong who is currently participating in the 16^th Edition of Paralympiad in Kuantan which concludes tomorrow.

“Despite having severely injured my spinal cord, I am grateful that I was able to help in the development of disabled sports, particularly in wheelchair basketball,” added Chong.

Being at home is quite a feat as well for the steely determined Chong who serves as president for the Pahang Wheelchair Basketball Association, Pahang Wheelchair Rugby Association and

Malaysian Wheelchair Rugby Federation.

Chong requires two fulltime caregivers to aid him in his daily living.

He needs to be carried into his wheelchair in the mornings and to his bed at night.

“Having to live a life in my condition itself is perhaps one of the greatest things that people in my position can do,” said Chong.

“I don’t and I can’t play basketball but I use my brain to plan and organize the players and team to be skillful in each competition.  

“One of the hardest and most frustrating is to get readmitted to hospital many times for the treatment of pressure sores due to long hours sitting on the wheelchair.

“I’ve already had as many as 30 operations – seven of them major ones since I became disabled, but I take it in my stride.”

To overcome stress and to soldier on, Chong always turns to humour for comfort.

According to him, there is an abundance of it in his line of challenges. 

He recalled one incident a couple of years ago when he led his wheelchair basketball team to Melbourne for the World Qualifying Asia-Oceania competition. 

Chong was the only team manager in a wheelchair at a special meeting of managers from various countries.

“When the chairman demanded to know where the Malaysian manager was, I put up my hand and everybody stared with disbelief,” Chong pointed out.

“It was at that moment that I was proudest of my country for having seen beyond my handicap and selecting me to lead the disabled team.”   

Syabas Malaysia!

The End

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