Disabled group has what it takes to do the Macarena

By K.S. USHA DEVI

KUALA LUMPUR: While performing the upbeat Macarena dance might be easy for some people, it becomes a challenge when you’re wheelchair-bound.

However, a group of them at the Fete De La Musique (World Music Day) in Bangsar proved that it just takes an active soul and heart to move to the rhythm of the Latin beat.

Team leader and counsellor, Elaine Sia Ling Ling, 26, was excited that it was the first time that her team was involved at the Fete De La Musique.

All the nine participants are members of the Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled.













FOLLOW THE RHYTHM: The wheelchair-bound participants and volunteers from the Beautiful Gate Foundation doing the Macarena during the Fete De La Musique in Bangsar on Saturday.

“We were invited to participate by HELP Institute coordinator of the festival Dr Choong Yeow Wei, after I wrote a letter to the Institute,” said Sia after the festival on Saturday.

The festival was organised by HELP Institute, DBKL and the French Embassy.

“We were all very excited because we were performing outdoors. It was a new experience for us,” said Sia while her team members Pua Ghin Chu, 24 and Yee Soon Weng, 21, nodded their head in unison.

During the performance, the team moved their wheelchairs in a synchronised manner.

“We practised very hard as we wanted to make sure that all our wheelchairs coordinate properly,” said Pua, an IT diploma holder.

“I am very happy to be a part of this music festival and glad that we made simple costumes for the performance,” said the shy Yee who works at the recycling centre at the foundation.

Sia had a history of muscle dystrophy in her family which lead to her disability while Pua and Yee were wheelchair-bound in their teens after suffering accidents.

The Fete De La Musique is a modern French tradition which first began on June 21, 1982, the day of summer solstice which celebrates the ancient tradition of Saint John’s feast. It has since become a worldwide celebration.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/6/19/nation/14578925&sec=nation