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 16th 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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