Helping hand for disabled

By SALINA KHALID

IT was a rare sight of the able-bodied walking beside the disabled. Some even took turn to push the wheelchairs, helping the disabled to complete the 1.5km distance while exchanging greetings with the onlookers.

That was what happened recently during the walk and wheelathon at SS2 Cares Carnival.











Some able-bodied participants took turns pushing the wheelchair-bound during the 1.5km wheelathon.

It was held in conjunction with the International Day of Disabled Persons celebrated also recently celebrated.

The event attracted about 100 participants of able-bodied and disabled.

Carnival organising committee chairman Datuk Lim Choon Kin flagged them off at 9am in front of SS2 Urban Park.

Although those on the wheelchairs could propel themselves, the able-bodied participants lent a helping hand in pushing them along the way.

Since it was not a race, all participants took time knowing each other throughout the journey to the finishing line.













Roslan getting his blood pressure checked Lim (standing, left) and MBPJ secretary Zulkepli Ahmad look on.

“The main objective of the event is to boost public awareness on the need of these disabled people.

“We also want to bring the able-bodied and the disabled closer through events like this,” said Lim who is also the Damansara Utama state assemblyman.

He added that it is the first a wheelathon organised together with the walkathon, since the International Day of Disabled Persons has been celebrated at the local authority level for the past two years.

This is the third year the carnival is being held in Petaling Jaya.

Other activities during the half-day carnival are colouring competition for the children, health check and sales of items produced by the handicapped community.

Guests were also entertained by performances by the local community.

In his speech, Petaling Jaya mayor Mohamad Roslan Sakiman congratulated the local community for organising such event.

He added that the city council would continue providing a more accessible environment for the disabled community.

Source : http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/12/9/central/16216335&sec=central