Lifestyle

Thursday February 2, 2006

If I was a Datuk

Wheel Power: By ANTHONY THANASAYAN



WHAT a surprise I had when I saw my name mentioned in the story, Reward only the deserving (Stories For My Mother, StarTwo, Jan 23)!

Columnist Chong Sheau Ching, when listing down her personal list of top 10 nominations for a Datukship, somehow saw it fit to include my name as well.

There I was, right up there among big names and towering personalities like environmentalist Gurmit Singh and his wife, Tan Siew Luan, an organic farming advocate, Pure Life Society’s president Mother Mangalam, the dedicated folk at NGO Sisters In Islam – all of whom I have met and know personally (except for Tan) – and many others.

However, me? A Datuk?

Having that title would certainly be an honour in my album of achievements, among the many other challenges of plunging through life in a wheelchair!

But let’s humour on with the idea, if you will, for a minute.

What if I actually became a full-fledged Datuk?

What would I do with my newfound powers to make a difference in the lives of Malaysians with disabilities? I came up with a quick and informal top five list of my own.

Let’s see if you also think that I possess what it takes to be a Datuk:

  • At government events and functions for the disabled: Instead of staying put at the reserved table and chatting only with other VIP guests throughout the event, I would, if I could, mingle with the disabled guests too. After all, that’s the reason that I’m there in the first place – to give my support to the disabled.

    I would also check and see if the event had the active participation of the disabled. If not, I would talk with the organisers about including people with learning disabilities in future functions, for instance, to act as ushers or have an emcee on a wheelchair.

    Here are areas that I can contribute to:

  • Healthcare and the disabled: I’d pick up the telephone and ask for appointments with heads of hospitals about how people in wheelchairs can have better access to personal healthcare. Pressure and bedsores are a recurring problem for wheelchair users and could kill them, if left untreated. Medication such as special plasters and others are often costly to disabled patients. Clinics should provide these free of charge or at a very low cost. For those who are housebound, nursing care from government hospitals should make home visits, as is being done in other countries.

    Many wheelchair-bound persons know little about taking care of themselves – especially as they age. Hospital workers should equip patients with the full facts before they are discharged, and conduct regular home visits as a follow-up procedure.

  • Jobs for the handicapped: If I were a director of a company and wanted to hire a disabled person, the first thing I would do is educate myself about the disabled in order to arrest any ignorance or prejudice that I might have towards them. The next step is to say “Yes” and then work out a way to offer the necessary support, like transport allowances and accessible toilets, so that the disabled can hold on to their jobs. Once the disabled person is successfully employed, I would look into specific matters such as whether the physical arrangement of the office can accommodate wheelchairs or, when my staff are sent on career advancement courses, if there is a sign language interpreter available (if my employee happens to be a deaf person).

  • Respect disabled-friendly facilities at all times: Here is where my powers become especially useful. I would go up to the management of hotels, shopping complexes, government buildings and voice my strong protest if no disabled-friendly facilities are installed. I would even threaten to take my patronage elsewhere if they refuse to do anything about it.

    If I see any able-bodied person using a toilet for the disabled or parking in a slot with the wheelchair logo, I would promptly tick him or her off.

  • Telecommunications and the disabled: I would use my influence to get telephone companies to offer special discounts for the disabled. The phone isn’t a luxury, but a lifeline, to the disabled. Many disabled people use it in emergencies.

    So did I pass the Datukship test? If not, fret not folks, because all is not lost.

    Fortunately, I’ve been privileged to meet quite a few caring Datuks who have a heart for the disabled.

    The columnist welcomes feedback from readers, so drop him a line. You can write to him at: Wheel Power StarTwo Star Publications (M) Bhd Menara Star 15 Jalan 16/11 Section 16 46350 Petaling Jaya Tel: 03-7967 1388 / Fax: 03-7955 4366 E-mail: athanasayan@yahoo.co

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