骨刺導致脊椎骨斷裂

癱瘓青年走出生命低谷

在發生意外前，他不知道骨刺為何物，更不知道短短一根刺，居然可以導致脊椎骨斷裂，甚至改變他的一生。

因為那根刺，歐威成嘗盡脊椎骨斷裂的痛；沒想到醫生在為他動手術後，原本用來固定脊椎骨的鐵鉤居然脫落，導致鐵枝刺到肺部，演變成肺積水，加劇他的病情。

原本可以蹦蹦跳跳的自己卻要依靠輪椅行動，歐威成極度排斥，甚至對家人也產生怨對、足不出戶、自暴自棄，雖然後來曾到殘障學院學習手藝，但還是無法忍受他人異樣的眼光，寧可終日躲在家裡足不出戶。

直到加入美門殘障關懷基金會，他開始與外界接觸，不再懼怕他人眼光，後來擔任該會在甲洞分會的副管理，也在因緣際會下獲得公眾捐贈電單車，開始騎電單車四處走動，協助殘障人士向福利部申請證件或其他物品。

騎電單車脊椎骨裂
頸項骨斷未動手術

騎著電單車，歐威成活動的範圍變大，卻沒想到他那薄如蟬翼的脊椎骨會因為電單車的震動而出現裂痕；加上協助朋友起身時加劇病情和導致頸項的骨斷了，必須動手術，惟最後因他的身體狀況不允許，至今還沒有進行手術。

須靠氧氣筒喘氣

如今，他體內的脊椎骨呈L型，一邊的肺出現硬化，另一邊的肺則剩下40%的功能，但他沒有放棄自己，依然積極面對人生，甚至會因醫生的邀約而北上南下到醫院去為因意外而殘障的公眾輔導，並積極參與美門的活動。

由於肺部功能不佳，所以只要遇到太熱或太冷的天氣，他都會因冷冽或悶熱的空氣透不過氣，而必須輔助氧氣筒才能喘氣。

每次重灌氧氣筒都需要花費約50令吉，並只能用3小時或兩週，長期下來是一筆負擔，所以他希望商家給予贊助，減輕他的負擔。

14歲時脊椎骨移位
動手術後下半身癱瘓

歐威成在14歲時，彎腰幫忙弟弟把走位的床架移回正確位置時，生長在脊椎骨中間的骨刺因彎腰而突出，導致脊椎骨移位。他雖然感覺疼痛，但只是到住家附近的診所看醫生，醫生診斷後推斷說骨折。

脊椎骨彎成S字形

看了醫生後病情沒有好轉，他不以為意；一個月後開始覺得雙腳無力，在家人陪同下前往同善醫院照X光，赫然發現脊椎骨在不知不覺中彎成S字形。

“院方說要即刻動手術，但由於收費高，家人在院方推薦下把我帶到馬大醫院，並在排期了一個月後才看到醫生，醫生看到我的情況，立刻安排我入院排期等動手術。”

當時，他入院第一天還可以走動，第二天走動甚至上廁所時就必須扶著牆壁走，第3天進了廁所後沒有力走出來，第4天才進入手術室動手術。

手術後，歐威成在醫院住了整整5個月，下半身也因脊椎骨已走形而癱瘓，必須依靠輪椅活動。

固定脊椎骨鐵鉤脫落
鐵枝插入肺部肺積水

歐威成原以為動了手術後就可以過回原本的生活，沒想到卻因不斷咳嗽，檢驗下才發現醫生用來固定脊椎骨，全長15公分的鐵鉤從脊椎骨上脫落，導致鐵枝插入肺部，出現肺積水的情況。

由於情況嚴重，加上他身體還虛弱，所以醫生不敢立即為他動手術，只能在他身體開一個洞，讓水排出；他不斷跟醫生跟進病情以確定脊椎骨是否已堅硬，希望可以儘快動手術，卻沒想到這麼一等就等了5年之久。

脊椎骨再度出現裂痕

2004年，歐威成通過報章的活動獲得公眾捐贈的電單車，於是他便常常騎著電單車去辦事，時間久了，他發現脊椎骨再度出現疼痛跡象，於是他再回到醫院照X光，結果X光片卻把他和醫生嚇壞了。

“我們在X光片上看到之前受傷的六節脊椎骨出現裂痕，於是醫生便問我要不要動手術，但這個手術的風險比較大，就是要移開心臟取出之前脫落的鐵鉤，所以我思前想後一番，還是不要去做這個高風險的手術。”

助朋友起床頸骨斷裂

後來，他持續騎電單車走動，但在某一天，如以往般以前推的方式協助朋友起床時，突然聽到骨頭發出聲響，他本以為自己又扭傷，豈料兩週後左手開始無力，照了X光才知道之前已有裂痕的脊椎骨更多裂痕，就連頸項的骨也斷裂了。

身體不夠強壯未動手術

醫生要他立即動手術，但礙於醫藥費昂貴，所以他拖了一年多，直到通過英文報籌獲款項後，才決定入院動手術，但由於身體不夠強壯，加上肺部功能僅剩下40%，手術非常危險，所以至今仍未動手術。

“醫生曾勸我，若真的無法忍受身體的疼痛才動手術，他們也因為我的身體情況而一再展延我的手術，醫生最近把手術日期挪至明年12月，我也希望可以通過動手術來改善自己的情況。”

生命點滴人物

姓名：歐威成
年齡：30歲
狀況：中學初一的學校假期，因故造成脊椎骨斷裂和延誤就醫而失去行動能力，後來生命又面對一連串考驗，但他沒有放棄自己，反而協助醫生開解因意外失去行動能力的人，讓生命綻放光芒。
聯絡電話：03-6276 3690

星洲日報／大都會‧2008.12.28



歐威成表示，目前其體內的脊椎骨呈L字型，加上一邊的肺部有硬化現象和另一邊肺部僅有40%功能，讓他在面對太冷或太熱的環境須氧氣筒來輔助呼吸。



目前，歐威成在美門殘障關懷基金會的甲洞分會擔任副管理，工作範圍包括協助殘障人士向福利部申請證件或進行文件上的處理。



自脊椎骨的裂痕不斷加深後，醫生囑咐歐威成要每天穿戴 “護架” 來固定脊椎骨，以免脊椎骨因日常生活的運作而加劇病情，所以歐威成坐車外出時都會穿上 “護架”，保護自己。



從旁邊看，歐威成在今年9月照的X光圖顯示體內的脊椎骨呈L型，而之前受傷的六節脊椎骨也斷裂了。



歐威成（左）和同伴曾受邀到新紀元學院進行心路歷程演說，讓與會者更認識殘障人士在日常生活所面對的問題。

失行動能力最後走出黑暗

16歲的青春少艾，都有著無限美好的青春，日子在快樂中渡過。然而，潘銀珠卻因為脊椎骨神經線上不知何時被瘀血壓斷，終斷了她的笑聲，也改變了她的人生。

雙腳失知覺須靠輪椅行動

雙腳失去知覺，餘生注定要靠輪椅行動，她無法接受這突如其來的變化，除了封閉自己和斷絕與外界的來往，還一度割脈自殺。

慶幸的是，潘銀珠的家人都沒有放棄她，母親對她百般包容，加上朋友借她閱讀杏林子的書籍、學校老師紛紛要她復學，校長甚至為了遷就她而把樓上的班級移到樓下，讓她能繼續學習之路。

大家看到潘銀珠願意到學校上課，甚至恢復以往的笑靨，以為她走出了陰影，卻不知道對人歡笑的她，其實都把心事埋在心底，更不知道她其實在藉著笑容掩飾心中的痛。

中學畢業後，她來到美門殘障關懷基金會，後來在信仰協助下感覺生命的意義和走出陰影。

在美門任就業與關懷主任

她在修讀電腦相關課程後，選擇在美門擔任就業與關懷主任，協助弱勢人士包括殘障者尋找工作，讓他們找到適合的工作，發揮潛能。

立志要當激勵講師的潘銀珠，除了常閱讀激勵書籍，她也在12月13日的中午12時10分至1時在AI FM電台客串擔任《愛的路上你和我》節目主持人，讓殘障人士運動員與聽眾分享他們的心路歷程，並希望這次主持的經驗，可以協助她邁向激勵講師之路。

睡夢中全身抽痛改變一生

潘銀珠來自雪州適耕莊，個性樂天，除品學兼優，小學時是排球高手，升上中學接觸跆拳道後，就喜歡上跆拳道，才短短3年就從白帶的初學者升上褐帶。

中四那年清明節前夕的晚上，睡夢中的潘銀珠突然覺得全身上下來回抽痛，她原以為疼痛會過去，豈料卻改變了她的一生。

“我從午夜12時忍耐到清晨6時才讓父母知道，父母先把我送入丹絨加弄醫院，後來再轉入巴生醫院；醫生對我的病束手無策，但卻堅持要我留醫一晚檢查。”

須動手術否則成為植物人

第二天，潘銀珠的父母把她送入某醫藥中心，醫生檢驗後表示她的情況危急，必須立即動手術，否則就會成為植物人，但由於延遲送醫，所以能夠康復走路的機率只有5%而已。

潘銀珠病得渾渾噩噩，根本不知道病情的嚴重性，直到完成了手術清醒後，還一心以為自己可以康復出院。

當她從母親口中知道自己將終生依靠輪椅行動時，她沒有辦法接受，除了不斷哭泣，更希望自己可以從殘酷的夢境中醒來。

同學好友被拒於門外

出院後，由於家中的擺設處處佈滿障礙，加上家門口的門檻阻礙輪椅進出，所以她回到家後，終日躲在房間不出來，就連同學好友來訪，也被她拒於門外。

“那時候，我覺得大家都以異樣的眼神來看我，我不想接受她們憐憫的眼神，所以把自己孤立起來，不面對她們才不會覺得自己和他們是不一樣的。”

面對沒有辦法使力的雙腳，潘銀珠覺得很難過和憤怒，甚至在覺得沒有人能分擔自己難過的情緒下，決定割脈自殺，以尋求解脫，但還是從鬼門關走了回來。

封閉在家長達半年
看杏林子書恢復自信

潘銀珠把自己封閉在家裡長達半年後，在杏林子的書籍中慢慢恢復自信，後來還接受老師的建議回到學校重讀中四。

也許因為她之前在學校表現都不錯，所以校長把原本在2樓的中四教室搬到底樓，老師也自動提供補習，讓她追上課業。

老師的用心讓潘銀珠感受到一直在旁給予的默默支持，包括在面對她無理取鬧時，始終不會惡言相向的母親。

“那時候我經常發脾氣，無論是大事小事都會發脾氣一番，直到有一次母親說她寧願自己坐輪椅也不要我承受這樣的痛苦時，我才知道其實母親也和我面對一樣的問題。”

父母也面對外人異樣眼光

她慢慢地說，由於新村人迷信的關係，大家都說她突然殘障和父母的行為有關，而發生在她身上的一切都是報應。

那時候，潘銀珠才知道，那些利如刀刃的流言不斷傷害著她的父母，他們也和她一樣面對外人異樣的眼光。

後來，潘銀珠撇開胸懷接受一切，她再度綻放燦爛的笑容，和家人的關係也更為融洽了。

加入美門被選為乒乓選手

加入美門殘障關懷基金會後，潘銀珠以為生活會一直平淡下去，豈料卻被選為乒乓選手，也展開了約一年的練習生涯。

那時候，潘銀珠從完全不會乒乓打法，開始學習接球和開球，而整個學習過程最辛苦的就是要在沒有腰力情況下接球，而不會因此而受傷。

後來，潘銀珠曾陸續代表大馬前往澳洲和英國參加共和聯邦運動會，雖然沒有獲獎，但卻讓她留下深刻的回憶。

星洲日報／大都會‧2008.12.14


雖然行動需要依靠輪椅，但潘銀珠（右3）憑著過去的的運動細胞，被挑選為乒乓選手到國外參加共和聯邦運動會，留下美好回憶。


卸下乒乓選手身份後，潘銀珠的生活雖歸於平淡，但她卻以開朗的心面對未來，往激勵講師方向邁進。


雖然身體面對行動問題，但潘銀珠（中）沒有放棄自己，偶爾也和朋友外出遊玩。照片攝於她和中學好友到熱浪島遊玩，當時她還不會游泳，但後來卻學會了。


潘銀珠在為期一年的訓練中練出精湛的乒乓技術，成就非凡。


年少的潘銀珠（左）活潑好動，她在取得跆拳道褐帶後，原想挑戰跆拳道黑帶一段，豈料卻因意外而無法達成目標。

Lee Pei Sun: A Truly Remarkable Woman

This article won 2nd prize in eHomemakers

Lee Pei Sun fondly remembers a time when life was so good, almost perfect. As a truly radiant bride of 22, soon after, mother to baby Ping Toh and then, beautiful days basking in her dual role as dutiful wife and doting mother. She loved music and travel, held a steady job and her whole life was so promising.

These days, they are just distant memories that she desperately clutches on to as they try to fade away. Pei Sun now lives in a home for the disabled, abandoned by her husband and living each day looking forward to the monthly visits from her two precious children.

Pei Sun was struck with an incurable degenerating disease soon after her first child was born. Her cerebellum, located behind the front section of the brain, began shrinking. As the cerebellum controls the muscles of the body, Pei Sue began losing muscular co-ordination and became wheelchair bound. She was unable to care for her baby and her mother-in-law had to look after him. Pei Sun was forced to resign from her clerical job and became financially dependent on her husband. Three years later, her second son, Hong Hong was delivered by caesarean section.

What followed was nothing short of harrowing. As Pei Sun struggled to cope with her illness while caring for her children, her husband looked for a relationship outside their marriage. On her twenty-seventh birthday, he informed her that he was moving her to a home. Pei Sun was devastated. Added to the humiliation of being cast aside, she was given an ultimatum – to choose between her sons and maintenance. She chose her sons.

When she first came to the home, she spent hours crying. It’s been a year now and divorce proceedings are still pending. Her mother cares for the boys and Pei Sun has to depend on handouts and the generosity of her five siblings. She regrets being a financial burden to her family but she has little choice as she gets no help from her husband. She manages to earn a little money by selling newspapers.

Despite all she endures, she has the added anxiety that Ping Toh exhibits autistic tendencies. But Pei Sun is not defeated. She is grateful that her cousin brings the boys to visit her once a month. Sometimes, Ping Toh spends the night with her in her small room. He sleeps on a mattress on the floor and she amuses him with music from a radio. Sadly, she cannot cope with both her sons staying over.

Meanwhile, she wants nothing but the best for her sons and does everything within her power to brighten their lives. Although her disability prevents her from playing with them, she wants her sons to have happy childhood memories. She takes them to the playground and on shopping trips and indulges them with what little she can afford. She has even taken them to the zoo. It is cumbersome being limited by her wheelchair but she is completely focused on being a good mother for without her children, she has no reason to live.

Pei Sun's illness is relentless but she does not wallow in self-pity. In fact, as her muscles waste away, even her ability to speak is slowly being affected. Yet she preserveres, trying to prevent further deterioration, by faithfully exercising her muscles on a bicycle. The pain is always excruciating but she refuses to give up.

The young mother has also begun a computer journal recording for her sons to read some day. It focuses on her hopes, her dreams and her values so that the two boys will always be guided by her. Meanwhile, Pei Sun draws strength and solace from her religious beliefs. Yet it is her tenacity and resilience that makes her such a remarkable woman.

Source : e-Homemakers

Cannies Tham: A Guardian Angel

Have you seen Pei Sun’s photos when she was younger? She’s a ‘leng lui’, (beautiful girl) you know. I have dressed her up beautifully with my clothes and applied make-up for her so that she looks stunning for her special occasion today,” says Cannies Tham, Lee Pei Sun’s caregiver at the Beautiful Gate, home for the disabled.

The girl seated next to Cannies dressed in a pretty blood red top and matching pants smiles at everyone around her. “Having seen pictures of her when she was a bubbly young girl and now, watching her confined to a wheelchair, unable to speak clearly and move her limbs, makes my heart ache. Despite the physical disabilities, there’s no denying that Pei Sun is still the same beautiful young girl in the photos,” says Cannies. And the minute Cannies speaks about her two young sons, Pei Sun sobs silently. Cannies turns to comfort her.

Recalling the first time she met Pei Sun more than a year ago, Cannies says, “You see how she cries whenever she thinks of her children? This is how she was when I first met her. In fact, it was worse. She was devastated that her husband was leaving her and taking their children along with him. And her family members did not want to care for her either. Her cousin brother contacted me and asked me to meet her,” she says. “I knew then that I had to take her with me to Beautiful Gate so that she can be in my care. I was afraid that in the state she was in, she might do something drastic to herself.” Cannies immediately returned to the home and proceeded to do the necessary to bring Pei Sun to Beautiful Gate.

“During the first month at the home, Pei Sun used to cry all the time. She loves her children more than anything else in this world and was terrified at the thought of losing her sons after the divorce,” Cannies explains. As expected, Pei Sun’s husband soon contacted Beautiful Gate to inform them of his decision to initiate divorce proceedings against his wife. “He told me that he doesn’t want to provide Pei Sun any maintenance and would not even allow her to visit her sons. That made me very angry,” she says.

Cannies calmly but assertively informed Pei Sun’s husband that his decision to abandon his wife would be unfavorable for him. “I told him that it was not Pei Sun’s fault. It was his fault because he now had a girlfriend and therefore, wanted to leave Pei Sun. I told him that the disease struck Pei Sun when she was pregnant with his child. She carried on with the pregnancy because of her love for him, despite knowing that it may be dangerous for her. Today, she is unable to work and fend for herself. I told him that the odds are against him and if he does not agree to pay maintenance and allow her visitation rights, I will consult a lawyer and matters could get worse,” this bold woman tells me.

It must have taken this petite 33-year-old a lot of courage to stand up to Pei Sun’s husband. And Pei Sun should be extremely grateful to have been blessed with a guardian angel like Cannies. After that ‘little’ informal chat with him, Pei Sun’s husband decided to pay her a monthly maintenance of RM200 and allow her to spend time with her 5-year-old and 3-year-old sons once every month.

Cannies’ good sense and her fight for justice did not stop there. She also contacted Pei Sun’s elder brother and advised him to visit his sister. “I told him that just because she was here at the home, it doesn’t mean that he should not visit her.” Cannies strongly feels that family support is very important to build a person’s confidence, especially when the person is either suffering from a chronic illness or is disabled.

As a welfare officer at Beautiful Gate, Cannies is unable to constantly keep an eye on Pei Sun. She has administrative duties to perform as well. “In the early days, I was worried about her. I told her room mates to look out for her. We always let her do things on her own so that she develops the confidence in her own ability,” she says.

Although Pei Sun’s physical condition is deteriorating day by day, her emotional and mental strength has improved tremendously, says Cannies. “Pei Sun’s main focus now is to get better so that she can be a full-time mother to her two boys. She exercises on the stationary bicycle to keep her muscles from wasting away even though it hurts her.”

Pei Sun’s cousin brings her sons to visit her once every month and the older boy stays with her for a couple of nights. She has a spare mattress and a radio to make them feel comfortable when they visit her in her small room. She squeezes orange juice for them even though it is an effort for her as her fingers are gnarled from the disease.

When they come to visit her, she goes out shopping with them, takes them to the park to play buy them little things that she can afford. “I like to tease Pei Sun when she takes her children shopping. I jokingly ask her why she doesn’t invite me to go along. It makes her laugh. I always keep our conversations light-hearted so that she feels happy all the time. It makes her forget her past, at least for a while,” Cannies says just before the emcee announces the names of all the winners.

Cannies beams with pride as she witnesses Pei Sun being called to receive her prize for winning the second place at the Special Moms Unite! 2006 contest. Much like a mother filled with joy to see her child winning a competition. “Congratulations!” she whispers to Pei Sun, as she proceeds to wheel her up to the stage. Pei Sun's eyes said it all, "Thank you, Cannies, for the tender loving care and attention you continue to provide me. My words will never be enough to express my gratitude".

Source : e-Homemakers

Big plans ahead for mall

By LIM CHIA YING

COLOURFUL displays of decorative lights, string quartets and carolers as well as cartoon characters will usher in the Christmas and New Year celebrations at The Summit Subang USJ.

The mall’s celebration this year, themed Summit Light Up With Love was launched recently, giving shoppers a glimpse of the line-up of events taking place throughout December.

Festive cheer: Ong (second from left) and Adzman Shah (left) with the residents from Beautiful Gate Foundation with the Christmas tree that they have lighted up during the event launch.

Launching the event was Kelana Jaya MCA chairman Ong Chong Swen and DTZ Nawawi Tie Leung Property Consultants director Adzman Shah Mohd Ariffin.

Special guests present were members from the Beautiful Gate Disabled Centre, orphans and children of single parents from the Compassion Home in USJ 1 and needy children from Subang Jaya.

Ong said the members from Beautiful Gate were role models in continuing to live a fulfilled life despite their disability.

Adzman Shah added that while the mall might have been a little frugal in decor this year, however, all efforts were still made to ensure that the festive atmosphere was still present.

“As the new management of The Summit Subang USJ, we are confident of bringing it to greater heights,” he said.

Following the Christmas tree lighting to mark the launch, the Beautiful Gate members performed several dance and singing performances on their wheelchairs, while the Compassion Home children touched the crowd with their soulful rendition of Malay, English, and Chinese songs.

Brothers Isaac Sathiya, 15. and Samuel Kuvinder, 13, from Compassion Home, said they had always enjoyed Christmas and to be part of the occasion at the mall made their day.

Christmas feel: The children from Beautiful Gate Foundation clapping to the performances on stage during the Summit Light Up With Love launch.

Isaac was brought into the home when he was in Year Four and Samuel when he was Year Two.

Both said they enjoyed schooling very much and that they did not have any special Christmas wish.

Meanwhile, a host of activities like Christmas bazaars, Christmas musical singing and dance performances, appearances by Santa Claus, various competitions, as well as mascots and cartoon characters of Ronald McDonald, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and Fantastic Four are set to add to the merriment of the festival.

Under the new management, the mall would see a change in new tenants and also upgrading in different phases.

Sources: The Star

PJ set to become disabled-friendly

An example of how the city’s paths can be dangerous to the disabled.

PETALING JAYA: The city council is set to make the city's roads and other facilities more disabled-friendly.

The council will build 150 covered disabled car parks and better walkways, ramps and pedestrian crossings, especially from Jalan Gasing to Jalan Changai.

The improvements are included under the council's budget for next year. According to the council's Engineering Department director Ismail Shafie, the first phase will be completed in March.

PJ councillor T. Anthony, who is disabled, said the upgrading works would meet the international standards for facilities for the disabled.

There are more than 250,000 disabled people in the country and their mobility is hampered by unfriendly infrastructure and facilities.

Source: Streets, NST Online

Disabled in Subang Jaya voice their woes

By OH ING YEEN

THE disabled community will have something to look forward next year, Selangor executive councillor Ronnie Liu announced at the recent Dialogue with OKU (people with disablities) that there would be a special welfare programme for the disabled in the state next year.

The objective of the meeting was to provide a platform for people with disabilities living in Subang Jaya to voice out their problems and to seek solutions.

“This dialogue will be useful as we can use it as a reference for the programme,” he said, declining to reveal further information about the programme as it is still in the planning stage.

Disabled-friendly environment needed: Kok telling the difficulties he faces in travelling.

Also present at the meeting were Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh, Subang Jaya Municipal Council (MPSJ) secretary Slamat Hamzah, Social Welfare Department (JKM) officer Jama’eah Abdul Ghani, sign language interpreter Azlina Mohamad Isa, as well as MPSJ councillors Ng Sze Han, Gary Chong, Sapiyan Mohd Din, Rabiah Omar, Datuk Dr Subramaniam @ Mutu Nadarajan, Joseph Xavier and Chia Yew Ken. Agnes Lee, who is involved in rights for the disabled, was the moderator.

Preceding the meeting was a performance by members of the Beautiful Gate Foundation, which drew cheers from the audience.

Among the issues and suggestions put forward by the disabled and their caretakers were:

• Improvements at the Social Welfare Department in terms of parking and accessibility;
  
• MPSJ to rectify the inconsistency in the distribution of stickers for the disabled and caretakers;
  
• A government hospital in Subang Jaya;
  
• Education and job opportunities for the disabled;
  
• JKM to improve on its services; and
  
• Flexibility in banking in the allowance for the by the JKM.

Awesome: Performers from the Beautiful Gate Foundation drew applause from the audience for their amazing performance.

Alan Kok, who is wheelchair-bound, hoped that Subang Jaya could be a more disabled-friendly place to live in.

“Even if some buses have disabled-user facilities, I have difficulty travelling to the bus stop itself.

“We have a lot to offer; it’s not that we don’t want to work. We can work from home, and in jobs like translating and web-designing,” he said.

Citing the MBPJ Transit OKU as an example, some voiced the need for a similar mode of transport for the disabled in Subang Jaya as well as other municipalities. “This is so that the disabled can travel from one town or city to another without transportation problems,” said Bathmavathi Khrishnan of the Malay­sian Confederation of the Disabled.

She also raised the issue of the need for a government hospital in Subang Jaya and for the public community halls to be more accessible.

Yeoh said while some of the issues could not be solved on the spot, the problems and suggestions would be compiled and looked into.

She added that flaws in the system would be highlighted to the decision makers for action.

She appealed to the media to highlight the need for employers to offer jobs for the disabled.

She also commended the caretakers and was choked with emotion when she related the experience of her bedridden grandfather.

“You are also taxpayers, you are also Malaysians, you deserve every right, just like all of us,” Yeoh told the members of the disabled community who were present.

Jama’eah said the process for the disabled to register with the social welfare department.

“You will be issued a card, which is like a licence, and it is useful when applying for financial assistance, OKU organisation membership, workshops and other benefits.

“For those who are bedridden, the representative can send the application on their behalf.

“A doctor will then verify the category of disability,” she said.

Slamat said that “OKU” should mean “Orang Kuat Usaha” instead of “Orang Kurang Upaya”.

“We will do our best at our level for sustainable planning for every- one,” he said.

“The issues brought up today can be resolved but it will involve various parties, such as the Social Welfare Department, Special Education Department, Works Ministry and other relevant parties,” Liu said.

Source : The Star

Working beyond their limitations

To prove that disability should not be a hindrance to earning one’s keep, a total of 30 physically-challenged participants showcased their business and artistic acumen at the Photography Exhibition and Disability Employment Aware-ness exhibition at the Sunway Pyramid recently.

Carrying the message, “Productivity Beyond Limitation,” the event was organised by the Beautiful Gate Foundation (BGF) to encourage people with disabilities to promote their products and services.

In her speech, the foundation’s executive director Sia Siew Chin, 42, pointed out that the exhibition was an awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the need for public and private bodies to provide employment for the physically challenged.

It was also to show the obstacles and barriers that are preventing the disabled from being financially and physically independent.



Art without hands: He does her calligraphy by strapping a brush to her right stump.

“When we talk about employment, we are not only talking about jobs, but it is a whole package that involves accessible transportation, housing, employment support system, accessible workplace and other facilities,” she said.

The exhibition, which also acts to symbolise the determination of people with disabilities (PWDs), is one way to acknowledge their capabilities and economic contribution.

The event, said Sia, was a concerted effort to provide a platform for PWDs to create business partnership opportunities in order for them to achieve self reliance and be economically independent.

One of the participants who lauded BGF’s effort was Chinese calligrapher, He Xue Mei.

The 38-year-old who lost both arms at work due to an accident in a fireworks factory at age 18, recalled that the first few months of her recuperation had been full of despair and frustration.

“In the beginning, I had to rely on others to do everything for me, but it did not take me long to realise that I had regained my independence.

“The process of relearning how to function without my hands and picking up a viable skill helped me to snap out of my depressive rut,” said He who hails from Zhuhai, China.

She went on to practice Chinese writing by strapping a brush to her right stump.

Today, the mother of two daughters aged 14 and 9, is a calligraphy teacher when she is not travelling.

“There has to be a sense of purpose in one’s life and this is not possible to have if you cannot sustain yourself financially,” said He.



Unique: Wong Sai Choo’s image of a woman cutting fruits won second place in the adult category of the photography contest.

Dealing with the question of employment has also led wheelchair-bound Raymond Teoh, 26, to the exhibition.

Teoh, whose forte is in web and graphic design, is now the creative director of his own company, At Home Creative, with another fellow PWD, Aw Yot Kong, 35, a graphic designer.

The duo promoted their latest line of merchandise, printed T-shirts carrying an environmental theme, at the exhibition.

“The last thing we want is for people to sympathise with us. Instead, we want them to appreciate us for our creativity,” said Teoh, who operates his business from a rented house in Cheras.

Also displayed at the exhibition were prize-winning photographs of a photography contest on the disabled. For enquiries, call Beautiful Gate Foundation at 03-7873 6579.

Source : The Star

Jobs alone not enough for disabled

Story and photos by SALINA KHALID

THERE is more to providing job opportunities to the disabled as the special people require a package deal, said Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director pastor Sia Siew Chin.

“When we talk about employment for the disabled, we are not only talking about jobs. We talk about a whole package deal. It involves accessible transpor­tation, housing, employment support system (like job coaching), accessible workplace and other facilities or equipment,” she said.

She added that many disabled people resort to handicraft-making or providing services through the Internet because they cannot get jobs in the open market.

Although some may get jobs, they choose not to work for long and some although given the opportunity, do not wish to apply for government jobs.



At work: Another entry for the contest showing blind masseurs giving foot massages.

She said it was important that such issues were dealt with in order to help the disabled to achieve self reliance and be economically independent.

She was speaking at the launch of the exhibition on products and services by disabled people held at Sunway Pyramid on Sunday.

Themed Productivity Beyond Limitation, the exhibition was launched by Deputy Unity, Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Teng Boon Seng.

Organised by Beautiful Gate Foundation, it was aimed at boosting awareness on the need for employment for the disabled and to highlight the obstacles and barriers faced by these people in getting jobs.

It also provides an opportunity for the disabled community to promote their products and services to the public.

The event also included a prize-presentation ceremony for a photography contest on the disabled.

Source : The Star

鼓勵障友自薦工藝品

鄧文村：拓就業空間

（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）團結、藝術、文化及文物部副部長鄧文村建議，國內各殘障中心向國家工藝美術中心（National Art & Craft Centre）毛遂自薦，推廣來自殘障朋友製作的手工藝品，為他們開拓另一個就業空間。

他指出，國家工藝美術中心是推廣本土工藝美術產品的殿堂，如果殘障朋友們親手製作的藝術品，能獲青睞並陳設在中心內，就等於給他們拓展一個工作空間，讓其他人都能肯定殘障者的用心。

將助美門見有關當局

他今日（週日，11月7日）受邀出席美門殘障關懷基金會，在雙威金字塔舉行的《爆發潛能、縱橫職場》殘障就業醒覺活動後在記者會上允諾，他將協助美門會見國家工藝美術中心。

他說，美門殘障中心成立15年來，在社會上扮演了積極的角色，他們在職場上的要求也逐漸引起民眾關注。

“我認為，美門應設立一個永久性的聯絡網，把成員的資料及他們的技能集合成冊，並把資料提供給商會或企業大機構參考，以便他們能從該聯絡網中，找到適合的人選到他們的機構上班。”

此外，鄧文村也建議殘障中心向旅遊部、航空業及機場等，表達他們欲徵求一個小空間展示殘障者的創意成品，藉此開拓更廣大的就職機會。

他說，殘障中心須要更積極地向社會發出訴求及爭取工作機會，以行動告訴社會他們不是累贅，他們也可像健全者一樣，為社會作出貢獻。

另一方面，他也讚揚美門殘障關懷基金會，把攝影比賽納入其醒覺活動的一部份，有助於公眾進一步瞭解殘障人士在職場上的需求。

應爭取更多展示空間

值得一提的是，多名殘障者殘而不廢，他們發揮自己的潛在才華，利用相機捕抓殘障朋友真善美的一刻，所拍出來的相片令人動容，同時讓公眾更關注殘障社群的發展。

出席該醒覺活動的嘉賓尚有美門殘障關懷基金會八打靈中心主席黃位周、總幹事謝秀貞、AmanSuria及SS2的居協及睦鄰計劃中心的代表等。

摘自：光明日报

殘友設聯絡網易找工

鄧文村：非社會累贅

（雪蘭莪‧首邦市）由《星洲日報》和美門殘障關懷基金會聯合主辦的“爆發潛能、縱橫職場”殘障就業醒覺運動攝影比賽，讓公眾從攝影作品中瞭解殘障人士在社會工作的基本需求。

團結、文化、藝術及文物部副部長鄧文村今日（週日，11月9日）為“爆發潛能、縱橫職場”殘障就業醒覺運動攝影比賽主持頒獎時表示，公眾人士在瞭解殘障人士在職場的需求後，可盡力提供協助，實踐“殘健一家”的理想。

“殘障人士以行動告訴公眾，他們不是社會的累贅，他們也能為社會作出貢獻。”

鄧文村建議美門殘障關懷基金會將殘障人士的手工藝品交給國家手工藝品中心推銷，並積極地推廣他們的手工藝品至機場和旅游業，擴大市場。

他認為，設立永久的聯絡網，集合殘障人士的才華和技能，並呈交資料給企業機構，可開拓殘障人士的就業機會。

謝秀貞：通過攝影賽表達心聲

另外，美門殘障關懷基金會總幹事謝秀貞希望通過攝影比賽向民眾表達，殘障人士需要大環境和交通才能工作的心聲。

她表示，這攝影比賽在評判遴選出6份佳作後，便通過網絡投票的方式讓公眾人士參與投選工作，以便促進公眾的參與。

摘自：星洲日报



鄧文村（左3）試坐輪椅，進一步瞭解殘障人士的艱難生活。

籌款資助殘友活動展開

化礙為愛卡‧歡迎推售

（雪蘭莪‧八打霛再也）第3屆“化礙為愛卡”資助殘友籌款活動已全馬展開，歡迎公眾到星洲日報各地辦事處購買賀卡，支持殘障團體，所有利潤將悉數歸參與這項活動的團體。

聖誕卡和賀年卡每套分別含有5張賀卡，售價5令吉。星洲日報基金會以非營利方式為殘障人關懷組織提供賀卡，後由殘障團體自行負責銷售，盈利全歸後者所有。

星洲日報基金會只酌收“化礙為愛卡”印刷成本，其他費用如製作費、設計費用和版權等一律免費，所得悉數盡歸殘友組織，並希望通過此卡讓公眾瞭解另一層意義，喚醒社會人士關注殘障朋友的處境，盡力協助他們。

所籌獲的款項將平分給參與活動的團體，即雙福殘障自強發展協會、雙福殘障自強發展協會柔佛分會、八打靈美門殘障職訓中心、甲洞美門康復中心、馬六甲美門殘障關懷中心、愛．關懷之家、生命線社區福利中心。

有意購買或協助上述殘障人關懷組織推售“化礙為愛卡”者，請致電：星洲日報文教部（03-79658593）、巴生（03-33433833）、檳城（04-2226666）、怡保（05-2088888）、馬六甲（06-2845088）、芙蓉（06-7619800）、 新山（07-3331904）、峇株巴轄（07-4311475）、麻坡（06-9514888）、文德甲（09-2771518）。

摘自：星洲日报



請購買“化礙為愛卡”送給親友，支持殘障團體。

巧手彌補殘腳遺憾

李玉蘭學會手藝自立

一走進森州芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心辦公室，就看見四處充滿巧思及創意的手工藝品，包括利用拼布技巧製作的桌布飾品、小包包、地氈、手機袋等，這些都是李玉蘭的作品。

住在該美門殘障關懷中心的李玉蘭（57歲），是一位手工藝品製作者，她就是憑借這一技之長，在崎嶇的人生路上逆流而上，為生活走出一條新出路。

李玉蘭的人生路很不平常，她來自巴生，4歲時發了一場高燒，結果罹患小兒麻痺症，從此行動不便，不久之後，父母就把她送人。

儘管經歷一場永遠的傷痛，今天的李玉蘭卻笑笑說：“我也算是趕上流行了！”言詞中充滿無奈。

行動不便沒上學

自從她的養父母過世後，她就一直與姑姑相依為命。在她的童年和青少年時期，由於行動上的不便，她一直沒有上學，也不曾到外工作，加上外人的特殊眼光，導致她性格內向，身邊朋友也不多。

可是，有一天姑姑去逝了，從來沒學過一技之長的李玉蘭，不知如何面對未來，一時顯得彷徨無助。所幸，在熱心友人的介紹下，李玉蘭首次與八打靈美門殘障中心接觸，為她的生命點燃一盞明燈。

後半世走出人生無助期

提起這段經歷，李玉蘭很有感觸地說，她的前半世都是躲在家里，6年前在美門殘障中心的關懷下，才走出人生的無助期。

她說，她在八打靈美門中心住了2年，後來中心負責人謝秀貞建議她遷往芙蓉，以學習更多有助於自立的手藝，渴望學習的她立即答應，轉眼間，她在芙蓉美門已經住了4年，令她感慨時光的飛逝。

她坦言，芙蓉美門是她的再生之地，也是她的家，在這裡，她學到適合自己的一技之長，透過專長來肯定自己。

手工藝品手工細膩

李玉蘭的手工藝品，以絢麗的色彩與細膩的手工見稱，拼布的縫製方式充滿了“家”的溫暖感覺，也顯露她歡悅的心情。

在做手工藝品之餘，李玉蘭偶爾還與會員出外售賣手工藝品。她靦腆地說，以前她不會算錢，每當出外賣手工藝品，心裡不禁產生懼意。

“可是，日子久後，膽子就越練越大，現在我已不再怕做生意，或者算錯錢了。”

“能夠有今天的生活，我已經很滿足了。”她非常珍惜眼前的平凡生活，如果不是自己的堅持及宗教信仰的帶領，她可能仍是一個漫無目標的人。

李玉蘭的人生經歷，塑造了她豁達的性格，同時也增添幾分自信，人生波折不但沒有使她頹廢，反而把她練就成了身殘志堅的人，用雙手雕刻著自己的美麗人生。

改造縫衣機配合殘障者

李玉蘭的工作設備是一台縫衣機，外觀看似與普通的縫衣機相差無異，原來機內卻“另有乾坤”，為了方便行動不便者工作，美門中心為殘障人改造機器和操作，配合不同殘障程度者的體能需求。

“如果用普通的縫衣機，腳不聽話，機器就是不跑，因此，我們就在機器增加電力推動器，只要輕踏縫衣機的腳踏板，縫衣機就可操作。”

要完成一件作品，必須花費不少時間，而且也很費神，每當手工做久後，整個人就會感到很疲憊，因此，她一有空閒就會爭取時間縫製手工藝品。

她笑言，雖然她賺的錢不多，也很辛苦，但是，她對本身能夠自立謀生感到非常開心，“我們賣這些手工藝品不是旨在賺錢，而是要給人希望，這樣生命價值才能被肯定。”

摘自：星洲日报



李玉蘭用布料“拼湊”縫制而成的被單，也獲得森州馬華副主席拿督尤綽韜的贊賞。



普通的布料，經過李玉蘭的精細縫制，變成一件件實用的日用品。



經過多年的訓練，李玉蘭已經駕輕就熟地縫制出大家眼前一亮的手工藝品。



李玉蘭雖然無法行動自如，但是，知足常樂的她一想到自己也能夠自力更生時，不禁感到開心。

Multi-racial show from special people

By STEPHEN THEN



Pretty princess: A dancer from Kuala Lumpur showing off some cool moves.

MIRI: A group of wheel-chair bound dancers and disabled musicians from various parts of the country put up an impressive show recently depicting the true spirit of unity.

The children and adults from the Selangor’s Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled and other charity groups in Miri mesmerised the crowd with their ability in performing multi-racial dances and playing musical instruments.

The concert at the Miri Indoor Stadium attracted a sizeable crowd despite the heavy rain.

The performers from all walks of life performed in harmony dressed in colourful Melayu kebayas, Chinese cheongsams and Indian saris and backed by equally talented dancers.

Each performance was greeted by a thunderous applause.

The crowd were not only amazed with the way they danced and played the musical instruments but also how easily they sang and swayed to the different tunes of the various races in the country.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam was the guest-of-honour. Chan told the crowd that the special dancers and musicians were a good example of unity and harmony.

“People in society have a lot to learn from these special people. They seemed to be leading the way in terms of being enterprising and innovative, showing courage, determination and discipline and displaying cultural unity and living in harmony.

“On the other hand the so-called able bodied people are engaged in conflicts, complaints having all kinds of disputes.

“These special folk just get on with lives and and try to live life to the fullest of their abilities everyday,” said Chan.



Good show: The performers in multi-racial attire wowing the crowd.

The Sarawak government, he said, wanted to see more of such public concerts organised for the special folk so that their talents and abilities would get greater publicity on a regular basis.

The concert was organised by the Sarawak United People’s Party, the Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti, Parents’ Association For Special People, Jaycees, Lion Clubs, Miri Red Cresent and other NGOs.

Source : The Star

Multi-racial show from special people

Multi-racial show from special people

Monday September 22, 2008

By STEPHEN THEN

Pretty princess: A dancer from Kuala Lumpur showing off some cool moves.

MIRI: A group of wheel-chair bound dancers and disabled musicians from various parts of the country put up an impressive show recently depicting the true spirit of unity.

The children and adults from the Selangor’s Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled and other charity groups in Miri mesmerised the crowd with their ability in performing multi-racial dances and playing musical instruments.

The concert at the Miri Indoor Stadium attracted a sizeable crowd despite the heavy rain.

The performers from all walks of life performed in harmony dressed in colourful Melayu kebayas, Chinese cheongsams and Indian saris and backed by equally talented dancers.

Each performance was greeted by a thunderous applause.

The crowd were not only amazed with the way they danced and played the musical instruments but also how easily they sang and swayed to the different tunes of the various races in the country.

Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Dr George Chan Hong Nam was the guest-of-honour. Chan told the crowd that the special dancers and musicians were a good example of unity and harmony.

“People in society have a lot to learn from these special people. They seemed to be leading the way in terms of being enterprising and innovative, showing courage, determination and discipline and displaying cultural unity and living in harmony.

“On the other hand the so-called able bodied people are engaged in conflicts, complaints having all kinds of disputes.

“These special folk just get on with lives and and try to live life to the fullest of their abilities everyday,” said Chan.

Good show: The performers in multi-racial attire wowing the crowd.

The Sarawak government, he said, wanted to see more of such public concerts organised for the special folk so that their talents and abilities would get greater publicity on a regular basis.

The concert was organised by the Sarawak United People’s Party, the Pusat Pemulihan Dalam Komuniti, Parents’ Association For Special People, Jaycees, Lion Clubs, Miri Red Cresent and other NGOs.

“化礙為愛卡”籌款活動推介

蕭依釗：所得悉數歸組織‧“化礙為愛卡”助殘友

（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）“星洲日報基金會只酌收“化礙為愛卡”印刷成本，其他費用如製作費、設計費用和版權等一律免費，所得悉數盡歸殘友組織，並希望通過此卡讓公眾瞭解另一層意義，喚醒社會人士關注殘障朋友的處境，盡力協助他們。”

星洲媒體集團總編輯蕭依釗，週四（18日）上午在八打靈再也本報總社，舉行的第3屆“化礙為愛卡”籌款活動推介儀式中，如此表示。

她說，國內殘障人關懷組織過去為殘障人士的付出受到肯定，星洲日報作為一家關心社會的報紙，深知殘障人關懷組織在籌募經費方面面對很多困難，因此推出“化礙為愛卡”，期望協助殘障人士籌款。

今年，除了賀年卡外，星洲日報基金會也推出聖誕卡。

她呼籲社會人士踴躍購買賀卡，雖然設計簡單，但卻包含了對朋友的祝福和愛心，和市場上的賀卡不同。

“我國經濟面對全球經濟衰退的衝擊，加上政治局勢的不穩定，還有今年初賑濟四川及緬甸災民的籌款活動，很多人可能因對前途憂慮而對捐獻有所猶豫，但我希望社會人士可以繼續支持殘障朋友。如果連四肢健全的我們都覺得經濟上面對困難，殘障人士就更困難了。”

她希望“化礙為愛卡”的美好願望，可以達致美好的結果。

出席者包括星洲媒體集團總編輯蕭依釗、星洲日報副文教主任葉偉章、雙福殘障自強發展協會公關幹事廖春蓮、義工郭運銀、美門殘障關懷基金執行員劉美莉、愛．關懷之家總幹事林國強、義工王家良、生命線社區福利中心執行長吳銘傑、生命線社區福利中心主任甘佩清。

目前參與此活動的團體包括雙福殘障自強發展協會（電話：03-79831842）、雙福殘障自強發展協會柔佛分會（電話：07-5593692）、八打靈美門殘障職訓中心（電話：03-78736579）、甲洞美門康復中心（電話：03-62763690）、馬六甲美門殘障關懷中心（電話：012-6411319）、愛．關懷之家（電話：013-3409622）、生命線社區福利中心（電話：012-7882281）。

聖誕及賀年卡
每套5張售5令吉

聖誕卡和賀年卡每套分別含有5張賀卡，售價5令吉。星洲日報基金會以非營利方式為殘障人關懷組織提供賀卡，後由殘障團體自行負責銷售，盈利全歸後者所有。

另外，《星洲日報》也會組在特定場合出售卡片，利潤將悉數歸參與這項活動的團體，予以平分。

有意購買或協助上述殘障人關懷組織推售“化礙為愛卡”者，請致電上述團體詢問，或與星洲日報文教部聯絡，電話：03-79658593。

摘自：星洲日报



星洲日報呼吁民眾向殘障團體購買聖誕卡和賀年卡，用行動來幫助殘友。前排左起林國強、廖春蓮、郭運銀、劉美莉，後排左起王家良、吳銘傑、甘佩清、蕭依釗。

Bus drivers ignoring the disabled

By YIP YOKE TENG

SOME Malaysians seem to have forgotten the term “caring society”, which was enthusiastically promoted by the Government a few years ago.

It is said that bus drivers are among those who have turned a blind eye towards the needy, just to avoid the hassle.

A disabled person who only wants to be known as Rebecca has much to share about this.

The 54-year-old, who is semi-paralysed and needs assistance to board the public bus, said she had been ignored by bus drivers many times.

The senior citizen, who is single and lives alone, strives to be independent but the public transportation has posed a difficult challenge.

“The RapidKL bus drivers refuse to take me, they just drive past as though they did not see me. This morning alone, three drivers ignored me,” said the woman from Sanpeng Flats, who visited The Star’s Kuala Lumpur office to highlight her plight.

“I have complained to the officers at the bus stations and they just nod but I there is no change in the situation,’’ she said.

Beautiful Gate director Pastor Sia Siew Chin said they used to receive similar complaints from the disabled community but such cases had decreased over the past few years.

However, she said that disabled persons had difficulty using public transport even though RapidKL had allocated 100 disabled-friendly buses.

“The buses wheelchair ramp is too short and steep for us to board the bus. The only way around it is if the ramp is placed on a raised platform, but our bus stops do not facilitate that,” she added.

She said the disabled community had brought the matter up on numerous occasions but could only see the bus operator and local council passing the problem among themselves.

RapidKL chief executive officer Suffian Baharuddin said the company had engaged NGOs and disabled groups in an effort to come out with ways to serve the community better.

He added that the company and the groups recognised the lack of barrier-free amenities and had urged the local authorities to take the necessary measures.

As for disabled-persons ignored by bus drivers, he said the company took the matter seriously but needed the necessary information, including plate number, time and location from the passengers to identify the irresponsible drivers.

Source : The Star

風雨不改開檔做生意

殘障夫婦熬出春天

芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心資源回收活動詳情：
可回收資源：汽水鋁罐、舊報紙、雜志、書本、塑膠容器（油桶、沐浴露罐和洗頭水罐等）、鐵罐、紙皮、鋁罐（汽水罐）、舊電器及舊電腦。
無法回收資源：衣服、玻璃、木制品、日常垃圾。
聯絡方式：該中心633 3037或彭國平013-399 3367
地址：21，Taman Mambau Baru，70300 Seremban。

（森美蘭‧芙蓉）家裡有舊物要丟棄？先別亂丟，您可通過這些“垃圾”來行善，只需撥一通電話，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心就會免費上門替你處理可作回收的舊物，既能協助殘障人士，又能清理一些舊物，何樂不為？

為了協助殘障成員多一個就業機會，以及開拓中心營運開銷，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心已從今年1月開始展開資源回收活動，該中心將通過回收再循環物件，來達到自助助人目標。

目前，負責資源回收工作的是該中心一名半身癱瘓的成員彭國平（34歲），他也藉其殘友身分以身作則，為環保盡一份責任。

黃秀萍：提供殘障成員就業機會

芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心負責人黃秀萍告訴《花城》，該中心進行資源回收主要目的，是提供殘障成員一個就業機會，讓他們依靠自己的勞力，來賺取生活費。

她披露，殘障朋友尋找工作并不容易，老板們總是擔心殘障者無法勝任工作，而婉拒聘請他們，造成他們失去工作機會。

殘友彭國平獲40%津貼

她補充，由於上述問題依然存在，該中心於是從今年1月便開始落實資源回收工作，讓彭國平負責這項任務，後者也以此自食其力。

她說，該中心每月在資源回收上所賺取的補貼，都會把其中40%當作津貼發給彭國平，以示鼓勵，其餘60%都納入該中心基金內。

她表示，該中心之前都有在進行資源回收工作，可是并不是全面的進行此活動，只是偶爾透過教會及朋友收取舊物，從中賺取盈利。

“如今，由於看到殘障朋友的需要，我們才開始公開進行此活動，畢竟他們不能長期依賴社會人士和教會的資助，來維持生活。”

黃秀萍表示，若回收地點靠近該中心，彭國平就會親自駕著電單車前來收取；若是在萬茂新村以外，而且貨量太大，該中心就會派出義工駕著貨車，陪同彭國平進行工作。

先從萬茂及芙蓉新城附近做起

至于偏遠地區，在缺乏人力與交通資源下，她希望有意協助的公眾，能先把舊物賣出，再把獲得的費用轉交給他們，“我們先從附近花園做起，就像萬茂及芙蓉新城等地，以待一切穩定下來才擴大回收範圍。”

該中心目前僅依靠教會或朋友通知才爭取到一些客源，但為了擴大回收範圍，他們已開始沿戶派發傳單，“不過，目前我們得到的反應并不理想，看來還得加把勁。”

21歲遇車禍半身癱瘓
彭國平只想自食其力

彭國平披露，他是於21歲那年遇上車禍而成導致半身癱瘓，手腳及右眼都受到影響，以致很少老板肯雇用他。

他說，他是於3個月前加入美門殘障中心，不久前曾有一間公司表示愿意聘請他，但看見他手腳不太靈活，最終改變主意。

他表示，他不是要為老板添麻煩，只是想依靠自己能力賺錢，如今有了這份資源回收工作，讓他覺得人生踏實，日子過得很有意義。

摘自：星洲日报



芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心已開始進行資源回收活動，但反應不見踴躍，希望能獲得公眾的響應和協助。



彭國平雖然半身癱瘓，但仍堅持以回收資源來自食其力。



為了提供殘障者就業機會，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心全面展開資源會所活動，左起是黃秀萍，右是彭國平。

Poor response from disabled

KUALA LUMPUR: There are 10,000 government jobs reserved for the disabled but only 50 of them have applied.

“The Government needs to find out why the disabled are reluctant to take up the jobs,” said Women, Family and Community Development Minister Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen.

Several NGOs responded immediately, citing a lack of an integrated transportation system, a failure in communication, and the language barrier.

Selangor and Kuala Lumpur Mobility Association president Anthony Arokia said transport posed a major problem for the disabled.

“The transport system is a stumbling block. The moment we step out of our houses; we cannot get to the work places,” said Anthony, who is wheelchair-bound.

Taiping Community Services Association vice chairman Chow Chee Keong said it was unfortunate that some information about the job opportunities did not reach those staying outside the Klang Valley, such as in Taiping, Ipoh and Penang.

“I had, on several occasions, enquired about job opportunities from the Welfare Department office in Taiping, but the officers said they did not know much,” he said.

Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin said many disabled persons were lowly educated and did not speak fluent Bahasa Malaysia.

Dr Ng called on the disabled community to respond to the job applications first. She said the Government would try its best to overcome the obstacles mentioned.

“They should not think negatively but instead apply for the jobs and let us know what obstacles they face in taking up the jobs,” she said.

“If more (disabled) people come forward to apply for jobs, we (the Government) might consider arranging transport for them, including getting buses to go around Putrajaya.”

On Chow’s complaint about the lack of information reaching the ground, she said it was something to be rectified.

However, she disagreed that lack of awareness of job opportunities was behind the very few number of applications from the disabled group.

“I have mentioned about the vacancies available many times in the newspapers. You (disabled people) cannot expect us to knock on your door and inform you of the opportunities,” she said.

On those who cannot converse well in Bahasa Malaysia, Dr Ng said she would look into the problem.

Source : The Star

Newsmakers: Moving on to inspire others

Sia Ling Ling performing a wheelchair dance at the AYA Dream Malaysia Awards last year.

SHE was born with muscular dystrophy, a condition that weakens muscles making one unable to walk normally. And her condition will eventually lead to permanent paralysis.

Until then, Sia Ling Ling, winner of the Most Outstanding Youth of the Year Award in 2006, plans to give her all in order to inspire all Malaysians that no feat is impossible.

"Winning the AYA award was was such an encouragement. It was like a sign from God to keep going on. I am now convinced that there is much more in store for me. More people to encourage and changes to bring about.

"I used to lack perspective and self-value. I merely did my best in bringing happiness and not inconveniencing those around me.

"Winning the AYA award led me to realise how important it is to love and help others in society."

After suffering much discrimination in her hometown, the 28-year-old moved to Kuala Lumpur at age 14 to make a living, selling handicrafts. She is currently working at the Beautiful Gate Foundation, helping other disabled people to gain confidence through skills development and employment.

At the Dream Malaysia Awards last year, Sia, who was part of the Beautiful Gate Creative Arts Troupe, performed two wheelchair dances that clearly had the audience moved.

After winning the award, Sia was able to further her studies in mass communication, thanks to a scholarship from one of the awards co-sponsors, Life College.

Sia recently became a part-time announcer with Ai-FM, a new radio station in town. She is also busy coordinating the 15th anniversary celebration of Beautiful Gate, and is planning a performance under her arts troupe.

"A lot of things are happening in my life now and I owe it all to the award. Receiving the award, I now know that that God will continue to use my life to inspire others."

Source: NST Online

Helping diabetics lead a normal life

MOST of us take for granted as part of daily life, things like travelling and being gainfully employed. Sadly, many people with diabetes cannot do all that they would like to, or even just lead a normal life like the rest of us.

With this mind, Bayer Healthcare Diabetes Care and Pharmaforte Malaysia have co-organised a community drive with the Malaysian Diabetes Association (PDM) and the Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled to help the poor and the disabled with diabetes to monitor and manage their healthcare efforts.

The association and Beautiful Gate recently received the newly-launched No-Coding blood gluco-meters, Contour TS and Breeze 2, for distribution to their members to enable them to undertake con-stant and precise diabetes man-agement, making it easier for them to lead a normal life.



For those living with diabetes: Beautiful Gate Foundation for The Disabled executive director Sia Siew Chin (in wheelchair) receiving the Breeze 2 from Pharmaforte managing director Yeo Ann Chin.

“We believe the national fight against diabetes should be a responsibility shared between NGOs and corporations like Bayer HealthCare Diabetes Care and Pharmaforte,” said the association assistant general secretary K.S. Maniam.

“Diabetes is a chronic disease that requires life-long self-monitoring and we hope to help them undertake constant self-monitoring so they can better manage their condition and enjoy a better quality of life,” said Bayer Healthcare Diabetes Care country head (SEA) Edward Wong.

In conjunction with this event, a paper entitled Glucose Control and Its Impact on Cardiovascular Disease was presented by renowned cardiologist and the Heart Foundation of Malaysia director Datuk Dr Khoo Kah Lin.

The association is located at No. 2, Lorong 11/4E, 46200 Petaling Jaya (tel: 03-7957 4062).

Beautiful Gate is located at No. 92 Jalan SS2/24, 47300PJ (tel: 03-7873 6579).

Source : The Star

助殘障者融入社會

鄧文村吁公眾伸援手

（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）團結、文化、藝術及文物部副部長鄧文村表示，社會人士應給予殘障者精神及物資援助，以便他們有機會融入社會。

他表示，許多殘障者都擁有一定才華，只是沒有機會發揮。

他呼吁所有非政府組織及私人界，在推動所有社會活動時，提供殘障者工作或表演的機會。

“政府要打造一個愛心社會，這點也需要私人界的配合，例如多聘請殘障者。”

他是為美門殘障關懷基金會“爆發潛能，縱橫職場”攝影公開賽主持推介禮後，對記者如此表示。

保持正確生活態度

另一方面，鄧文村也鼓勵殘障者應持有正確的生活態度。

“最重要是心靈要健全，生活的力量來自於內心，只要心不受到限制，生活就可以過得充實和多姿多彩。”

美門8月辦攝影賽

此外，鄧文村勸勉殘障者應學習自立自足，在生活問題獲解決後，就可以從事其他藝術活動，從而發揮本身才華。

美門殘障關懷基金會將在8月1日起至10月1日舉辦攝影公開賽，希望透過攝影藝術進一步展現殘障者的就業能力。

出席推介禮者包括百樂鎮州議員謝永賢、前百樂鎮州議員拿督林春景、八打靈美門中心管理委員會主席黃位周、美門殘障基金會總幹事謝秀貞、大馬影藝協會主席胡航生、《星洲日報》文教部副主任陳慧嬌及活動贊助商代表等。

星洲日報‧2008.07.18

摘自：星洲日报

展示殘障人士就業能力

星洲美門聯辦攝影賽

（雪蘭莪‧八打靈再也）星洲日報及美門殘障關懷基金會聯辦的“爆發潛能，縱橫職場”攝影比賽與系列活動，正式推介。

“爆發潛能，縱橫職場”攝影比賽與系列活動是由團結、文化、藝術及文物部副部長鄧文村主持推介禮。此活動的宗旨是透過攝影藝術展示殘障人士的就業能力，並呼吁公共與私人領域提供無障礙設施以方便殘障人士融入職場。

星洲日報副文教主任陳慧嬌在致詞中表示，通過動態的攝影及靜態的展覽，能讓社會大眾更瞭解殘障人士在生活及工作上的困難，同時也讓相關政府部門從中發掘不足之處，並加以改進。

她說，星洲日報作為美門殘障基金會活動的長期合作單位，曾經攜手聯辦幾屆的“陽光天使志工培訓營”活動及“化礙為愛”賀卡的義賣活動。

殘障人照片為主題

“爆發潛能，縱橫職場”的攝影比賽將以殘障人士為照片的主題，目的在於提昇社會人士對殘障人士就業需要與設施的醒覺。比賽共分成三個組別，包括學生組，公開組及殘障人士組，每組各設有冠亞季軍及三分安慰獎，所有獎品皆由大馬Nikon有限公司贊助。

這項攝影比賽從8月1日起開始收件，至10月1日截止。該項比賽公開給所有大馬居民參加，報名費為10令吉。每位參賽者不得超過5張作品，並將作品副本、軟件副本及正式參賽表格一同遞交美門殘障關懷基金會。參賽作品需為不經電腦修改的原創作品。

其餘系列活動包括：8月16日舉行的殘障與攝影工作坊，與即將於11月7日至9日在雙威金字塔購物中心舉行的攝影展及殘障人士手藝與服務展銷會，並與當天同步揭曉攝影比賽成績。

欲知更多比賽詳情，請撥電謝靈霖03-78758609。

星洲日報‧2008.07.18

摘自：星洲日报



鄧文村（中）為“爆發潛能，縱橫職場”攝影公開賽主持推介禮﹔左2及左3：胡航生及謝秀貞﹔左5：陳慧嬌；右6：謝永賢；右排前2及前3：林春景及黃位周。

22歲車禍下半生靠輪椅

殘障女挑戰潛水耍劍

姓名：林惠玲
年齡：29歲
家鄉：柔佛州亞依淡
家境：家中長女，尚有3名妹妹
工作： 在一間健康護理中心擔任詢問櫃台人員
經歷：22歲發生車禍後半身不遂，之後的一年生命陷入低潮，性格不再開朗；心情逐漸平復后，她學習適應和改變自己去應付接下來的生活挑戰，生活得很充實。

當年的一場車禍，完全改變了她的命運，下半生要與輪椅為伍是一回事，更大的改變是她的生命開始邁向另一段更精彩的旅程；選美、潛水和玩西洋劍等活動都難不倒她。

勇於接受挑戰

這期生命點滴故事主人翁林惠玲，原本是好動好玩的人，因車禍導致脊椎神經嚴重受傷而半身不遂，她用一年時間從人生底谷走出來，並徹底改變，生活變得更積極及多姿多采。

勇於接受挑戰

現在的惠玲笑靨常掛臉上，下半身不能動彈，對她來說不是世界末日，在過去幾年，她有很多意想不到的收獲。不認識她的人，相信很難想像她參加過輪椅選美賽，而且還有勇氣挑戰水底活動，學習潛水。

她還代表我國殘障人士，報名參加遠東及南太平洋殘障運動會的西洋劍比賽。此外，她還可以玩“飛狐（FLYING FOX）”活動呢！

未來，她有滿腹的計劃、挑戰和憧憬，包括唸大學課程和自己創業。

過去的不愉快，惠玲已不介懷，在談起車禍和受傷經過，她已沒有太大反應，就像在述說一個他人的故事，語氣平靜。

車禍後治療日子最痛苦

追溯過去，她是與朋友共車去參加派對，沒想到回程中發生意外，車內4人中她的傷勢最嚴重。

她只記得自己已經陷入半昏迷狀態，一直叫喊背部很痛。 因為她的傷勢太重，在送往馬六甲班底醫院后，又轉送到吉隆坡馬大醫藥中心治療。

除了脊椎神經線斷了，她的左手臂也骨折，只有右手能動。她住在醫院治療2個月，這是她最痛苦的日子。

惠玲說，車禍后第一個月，家人和醫生都不敢告訴她病情的嚴重性，她自己也不知道已經殘廢，直到一個月后她才知道晴天霹靂的實情，她哭腫了雙眼，朋友一概不見。

咬緊牙關做物理治療

那段期間，她不僅要接受自己残障，也要作物理治療，讓左手早日復原，以便可以自己推輪椅，支撐上下行動。

“每一次做物理治療，我都會哭；從開始要上醫院8樓做物理治療到做完后下樓回病房，我都在哭，因為真的很辛苦。”

那時她每天要練習拿5公斤重的啞鈴，練習最基本的動作和技巧，現在惠玲的左手能回復車禍前的靈活程度，都靠當時她咬緊牙關，含淚下進行一次又一次的練習。

惠玲說，她曾想過放棄，可是善心的護士長一直勸她不要放棄，回想起來，當時如果沒有護士長和家人支持，可能她今日的左手就沒有樣靈活，接下來很多際遇也會有所不同。

惠玲：“自己學習再“站”起來”

有人說，時間是治療心靈傷口的最好靈藥，時間會沖淡一切不愉快的傷痛，惠玲是後來自己開竅，自己學習再“站”起來。

心情平復後，她開始想到未來的人生要怎樣過，她想：開心與不開心都要繼續過日子，何不選擇開心的過？接著，她又想到那時自己才23歲，未來人生路還長遠，父母終有一天會年老，不能繼續照顧自己，她要為自己的未來設想。

那段期間她常去醫院做物理治療，也認識其他殘障朋友，一年后她決定打開封閉的心。

學習如何與人相處

她住在美門殘障關懷中心，開始學習如何與人相處，如何照顧自己。

“開始時不習慣， 畢竟以前自己行動自如，生活圈子不一定，如今整個人的生活圈子徹底改變，接觸的環境和人物都不一樣。”

半年后，她開始學會工作，教導智商僅有8歲左右的少女，後來又再申請做電話市場調查員。這份工作維持3年左右，在一次機會下認識到現有工作的這間公司，並在東主推薦下換工。

感謝家人朋友支持

惠玲說，如果不是身邊有家人和朋友的支持與鼓勵，她相信自己的生命不會再“站”起來。

現在的她能自己駕車上班和下班，也是靠自己的努力和親友的協助，還有老板的信任。

在點算過去29年生命裡的種種，惠玲究竟是失去比較多，還是收獲比較多，相信惠玲的答案，應該是後者。

參加選美西洋劍賽
充實自己學更多東西

要形容惠玲過去4年的生活，相信可以用6個字，即積極、精彩、幸福來形容。

她積極是因為她沒有一直在充實自己，通過換工作來使自己能學習更多東西。

在2004年，她帶著羞澀的心情和親友滿滿的祝福，作了一次她22歲之前從不敢做的事，就是報名參加馬來西亞華人殘障協會舉辦的第一屆輪椅選美賽。

參加選美賽贏得愛情

那場比賽，她不僅從全馬18名參賽者當中脫穎而出，贏得第一副姐，也贏得一段幸福的愛情；賽後不久，她和賽會中的業餘攝影師相戀。

於2006年11月份，她參加在我國舉行的第九屆遠東及南太平洋殘障運動會（FESPIC Games）的西洋劍比賽。

挑戰自己學潛水

同年10月份，她還挑戰自己去學潛水，在她想像中，要學潛水對她來說遙不可及，但她做到了，她能享受在西巴丹島潛水的樂趣。

她還能在一次培訓營中，參與“飛狐”遊戲；從一個山頭吊鋼絲到另一邊的山頭。

這一切經歷，惠玲心裡甜絲絲，因為她有一名愛她的男友，在她背後默默為她作好所有准備工作和用具，並給以最大的精神鼓勵與行動上的支持。

星洲日報／大都會‧2008.07.15

摘自：星洲日报



這是惠玲參加第九屆遠東及南太平洋殘障運動會的紀念品和戰利品，除了這些，還有一樣最珍貴的，那就是留在她記憶裡最美好的回憶。



對殘障人士來說，要潛水並非易事，可是惠玲（左）在男友的協助下做到了；她能潛下海底22呎，欣賞水底裡美麗的世界。



惠玲在輪椅選美賽中獲得第一副姐榮銜，她個人很滿意這張照片。照片中的惠玲看來是不是充滿自信？從笑靨中，可以看出她已走出車禍造成的心靈傷痛。



惠玲目前在一間健康護理中心擔任詢問櫃台服務人員。



惠玲（坐輪椅）雖然下半身不能動彈，可是她仍勇於進行各項挑戰和嘗試；有一次她在一個生活營里看到有“飛狐（FLYING FOX）活動，她也想一嚐在高中飛躍的滋味。

體能輸人知識不能再輸

殘障女生開公司自立

她從小就很用心唸書，因為她知道殘障人士在體力和活動方面都輸給健全者，只有在知識上能夠胜出，因此她在學習上無論遇到甚麼困難，都會咬緊牙關去克服。

她是23歲的尤琳荔。從訪談中可以感覺到外表看似性格文靜柔和，其實外弱內剛，尤其她在中學時，遇到種種的困難，都一一克服。

她在中四那年，一次背部很痛，求診時醫生指她脊椎側彎，壓住了心臟和肺，醫生要她多抽時間躺下，不要長時間坐輪椅，否則有生命危險。

可是為了準備明年大馬教育文憑考試，她不想影響學業，所以即使身體再痛，她仍堅持一如以往般繼續溫習功課，可能是皇天不負苦心人吧！最後她還是熬去了，順利完成中學課程，至今身體也無恙。

向同學借筆記

雖然在生病那段日子，她暫時沒有辦法去上課，可是她沒有放棄，仍向同學借筆記來慢慢抄，自己練習。

熬過了身體痛苦，中五那年，她又遇上問題，即所住的伊甸殘障中心出現一些變動，沒有交通工具送她去上學。

重大困難多發生在中學

她探听很多德士公司，可是每天來回的費用都很高，慶幸遇到貴人，身邊朋友答應協助，才暫時解決燃眉之急。

尤琳荔遇到的許多重大困難和美麗的回憶都在中學時期發生，那段時間也是磨練她成長的重要人生部份。

在旁陪伴成長
媽媽是重要“推手”

尤琳荔有一名很偉大的媽媽，媽媽在她背後默默付出，是她成長的重要“推手”；推動她四處去學習，無論是她從家鄉到檳城唸中學或現今在吉隆坡工作，媽媽都隨行照顧。

媽媽為女兒考駕照

早在琳荔還在家鄉唸小學時，媽媽就已為她設想到未來唸中學時可能遇上的交通問題，於是在琳荔唸6年級時，媽媽毅然決定去考汽車駕照，以便將來可以駕車載琳荔去上學。

后來，雖然琳荔去了檳城唸中學，住在伊甸殘障中心，中心有車子載送，尤媽媽的駕駛技術沒派上用場。

直至中心沒有辦法再載送她去上學，尤媽媽才再去複習隔了好多年沒有駕駛的技術，以便自己駕車載送。

尤媽媽是40歲左右考車，接近50歲再去複習駕駛。琳荔在學習路上沒有放棄，她媽媽怎能放棄，即使是年齡已屆中年，學習能力比較弱。

對媽媽感到愧疚

因為有一名偉大的媽媽在旁陪她一路成長，琳荔除了感動，她還有一份愧疚。

“我還有一名哥哥和一名姐姐，為了照顧我，媽媽把所有時間都放在我身上，甚至在我中學時，陪伴我到檳城求學，與在吉打家鄉的爸爸和哥哥姐姐兩地相隔，沒法照顧他們。”

“爸爸是我中五那年考試時期突然病逝，當天剛好是母親節。”

爸爸逝世當晚琳荔沒有在，無法看到父親最后一面，也基於母親要長期照顧她，與父親兩地相隔，聚少離多，爸爸逝世令琳荔感覺到對母親有一份愧疚感。

常用言語打擊信心
遺憾中學校長不友善

琳荔很感謝小學校長對她的關懷和照顧，至於對中學校長對殘障人士的不友善態度則感得遺憾。

“中學校長看不起殘障人士，他常用言語打擊我們的信心，印象最深的是當時校內還有另2名殘障人士，校長的態度令我們很難受。”

她感謝小學校長給她機會上課，當時只要遇到問題，校長都會協助她，包括安排到在底層課室上課，課室又靠近洗手間，並經常借書給她閱讀。

琳荔在中學畢業後，就到吉隆坡綠野殘障自強職訓學院唸資訊課程，畢業後直接留在學院工作，較後出外到一間稽查公司上班，去年12月份，在雙福支持下，與幾名殘障朋友開設現有的網頁設計公司。

盼往廣播方面發展

在今年4月份，她還被挑選在AI FM和美門聯合打造的一個中午時段節目擔任廣播員。

此節目主要是探討殘障人士的課題，喚醒社會人士對殘障人士的關注和了解。當時除了她之外，還有3名殘障人士也受邀擔任廣播員，每人負責一個月，整個節目單元共有4個月。

尤琳荔希望未來可以有機會往廣播方面發展，她曾和幾名殘障朋友報讀聲學閣唸廣播。

選擇再做殘障人

如果上天給你一個一切重來的機會，讓你選擇是否要做一名殘障人士，你的答案是甚麼？

一般人應該都會選擇做健全的人，但是尤琳荔卻選擇再做殘障人士，因為殘障的身軀讓她得到更多的祝福和啟示。

她唯一的要求是，希望殘障的程度能輕一點。

知識才能改變命運

尤琳荔覺得殘障人士更應該擁有受教育的權力，只有知識才能改變殘障人士的命運。

所以，自小她就很喜歡唸書，一直以來她的成績都很好，只是礙於經濟能力問題，所以她沒有辦法唸大學。

儘管如此，中學畢業後，她有報讀商業管理課程，過後又到吉隆坡唸電腦課程。過去至今，相信未來也是，她從沒有放棄學習和充實自己的機會，這是她積極的人生態度。

星洲日報／大都會‧2008.07.09

摘自：星洲日报



尤琳荔。



去年杪，在雙福資助下，尤琳荔與幾名殘障朋友開設一間網頁設計公司，他們租下一個公寓單位做辦公室。這種作業方式讓他們可以較輕松，累了就休息，不會太操勞。

協助殘障成員賺取生活費

美門上門回收舊物

芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心資源回收活動詳情：

可回收資源：汽水鋁罐、舊報紙、雜志、書本、塑膠容器（油桶、沐浴露罐和洗頭水罐等）、鐵罐、紙皮、鋁罐（汽水罐）、舊電器及舊電腦。
無法回收資源：衣服、玻璃、木制品、日常垃圾。
聯絡方式：該中心633 3037或彭國平013-399 3367
地址：21，Taman Mambau Baru，70300 Seremban。

（森美蘭‧芙蓉）家裡有舊物要丟棄？先別亂丟，您可通過這些“垃圾”來行善，只需撥一通電話，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心就會免費上門替你處理可作回收的舊物，既能協助殘障人士，又能清理一些舊物，何樂不為？

為了協助殘障成員多一個就業機會，以及開拓中心營運開銷，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心已從今年1月開始展開資源回收活動，該中心將通過回收再循環物件，來達到自助助人目標。

目前，負責資源回收工作的是該中心一名半身癱瘓的成員彭國平（34歲），他也藉其殘友身分以身作則，為環保盡一份責任。

黃秀萍：提供殘障成員就業機會

芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心負責人黃秀萍告訴《花城》，該中心進行資源回收主要目的，是提供殘障成員一個就業機會，讓他們依靠自己的勞力，來賺取生活費。

她披露，殘障朋友尋找工作并不容易，老板們總是擔心殘障者無法勝任工作，而婉拒聘請他們，造成他們失去工作機會。

殘友彭國平獲40%津貼

她補充，由於上述問題依然存在，該中心於是從今年1月便開始落實資源回收工作，讓彭國平負責這項任務，後者也以此自食其力。

她說，該中心每月在資源回收上所賺取的補貼，都會把其中40%當作津貼發給彭國平，以示鼓勵，其餘60%都納入該中心基金內。

她表示，該中心之前都有在進行資源回收工作，可是并不是全面的進行此活動，只是偶爾透過教會及朋友收取舊物，從中賺取盈利。

“如今，由於看到殘障朋友的需要，我們才開始公開進行此活動，畢竟他們不能長期依賴社會人士和教會的資助，來維持生活。”

黃秀萍表示，若回收地點靠近該中心，彭國平就會親自駕著電單車前來收取；若是在萬茂新村以外，而且貨量太大，該中心就會派出義工駕著貨車，陪同彭國平進行工作。

先從萬茂及芙蓉新城附近做起

至于偏遠地區，在缺乏人力與交通資源下，她希望有意協助的公眾，能先把舊物賣出，再把獲得的費用轉交給他們，“我們先從附近花園做起，就像萬茂及芙蓉新城等地，以待一切穩定下來才擴大回收範圍。”

該中心目前僅依靠教會或朋友通知才爭取到一些客源，但為了擴大回收範圍，他們已開始沿戶派發傳單，“不過，目前我們得到的反應并不理想，看來還得加把勁。”

21歲遇車禍半身癱瘓
彭國平只想自食其力

彭國平披露，他是於21歲那年遇上車禍而成導致半身癱瘓，手腳及右眼都受到影響，以致很少老板肯雇用他。

他說，他是於3個月前加入美門殘障中心，不久前曾有一間公司表示愿意聘請他，但看見他手腳不太靈活，最終改變主意。

他表示，他不是要為老板添麻煩，只是想依靠自己能力賺錢，如今有了這份資源回收工作，讓他覺得人生踏實，日子過得很有意義。

摘自：星洲日报



芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心已開始進行資源回收活動，但反應不見踴躍，希望能獲得公眾的響應和協助。



彭國平雖然半身癱瘓，但仍堅持以回收資源來自食其力。



為了提供殘障者就業機會，芙蓉美門殘障關懷中心全面展開資源會所活動，左起是黃秀萍，右是彭國平。

Timely lift for the disabled

THE Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled received a welcome boost when the management staff of leisure and recreation club Camberwell visited the foundation's Petaling Jaya Centre recently.

The visitors spent about an hour with some 20 disabled residents of the centre to gain a better understanding of the challenges and pain encountered by the disabled each day. The residents were also treated to a fast food meal arranged by the staff of Camberwell.

The visitors also brought a RM12,000 donation from the club in Damansara Utama. Camberwell Club senior operations manager Tia Eng Seng handed over a mock cheque for the amount to Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin.



Yummy: The residents enjoying the treat.

Also present at the cheque presentation ceremony was Camberwell deputy general manager for business development, Alex Chai.

Tia said the donation was part of the club’s on-going charity programme to reach out to the less fortunate.

“We are very impressed with the charity work of Beautiful Gate Foundation, which has helped so many disabled people,” Tia said, noting that the foundation had expanded over the years and now had six centres.

“We are truly happy to be able to contribute to this noble cause,” he added.

According to Sia, the donation will be used for the construction of a new lift in the Petaling Jaya centre, which is estimated to cost RM84,000. The existing lift is in bad condition and may pose a danger to its residents. She expressed the hope that more companies would come forward to help fund the new lift.



Welcome aid: (From left) Chai, Tia and Sia (fourth from left) with some of the residents at the cheque presentation ceremony.

The Beautiful Gate Foundation is dedicated to giving the disabled an opportunity to live an independent lifestyle that is integrated with mainstream Malaysian society as much as possible.

Established in 1995, the Beautiful Gate Foundation Petaling Jaya Centre has 40 disabled residents aged between six to 60 years old. The centre provides training in living, working and social skills, educational training, and mobile therapy and other services. Concepts of independent living are used to train the disabled to live independently.

Those who wish to help and donate to foundation may visit the Beautiful Gate Foundation Petaling Jaya Centre at No. 92, Jalan SS2/24, 47300 Petaling Jaya, or call 03-7873 6579 for more details.

Source : The Star

Visit to Eye on Malaysia

Special thanks to :

• event sponsors : Alicia A Parkinson, Zhang Debra and Julia Khoo
  
• all the volunteers and participants

to make this event a successful one!!

Charitable bodies feeling pinch of price hikes

By SIM LEOI LEOI and TEH ENG HOCK

KUALA LUMPUR: Charitable bodies are beginning to feel the pinch as recent price hikes have taken a toll on donations.

Some which had been promised money for victims of the Sichuan earthquake and the cyclone in Myanmar reported that money was slow in coming.

Donations in kind like rice, milk and noodles have also decreased.

Shepherd’s Centre Foundation founder and director Pastor Jacop David said his centre had 100 children and 12 senior citizens.

“We need 50 to 60 10kg bags of rice every month. But fewer visitors are coming forward with personal contributions,'' he said in Putrajaya.

However, Pastor David said he was confident of making it through the “dry spell” as he believes there “will be a miracle”.

Beautiful Gate Foundation executive director Sia Siew Chin said the sale of merchandise had dipped by some 30% since the new price of fuel came into effect.

“We usually put up a stall to sell plants and other decorative items at the SS2 Market. Fewer people are buying them now,” she said, adding that the foundation had 11 vans to ferry the disabled to work, college or hospital.

“We can’t stop this service because it will make it hard for the disabled to go to work or school,” she said.

PAWS animal shelter manager Edward Lim said public response towards its monthly roadshows as well as adoption of strays had declined.

“Maybe people need more time to adjust to the price increases,” he said, adding that the shelter had not noticed any increase in the number of abandoned pets.

Malaysian Red Crescent Society Johor chapter deputy chairman Velasamy S. Pillay said it had yet to gauge public response to its donation drives.

“This is because we have not held one recently. However, it's been slow at donation drives for the recent disasters in Myanmar and China,” he said.

The Handicapped & Mentally Retarded Children Centre in Kuantan is facing a shortage of food items and toiletries, reports SIMON KHOO.

The centre’s caretaker A. Rose Mary said: ”Previously, we had many firms and individuals donating cash and kind every month. Of late, not many have turned up.

“We hope caring Malaysians who can afford to spare some cash will continue assisting us to maintain the centre,” she added.

Yayasan Nanyang Press executive director Ann Woo said donations were slowing down because donors were taking a breather after emptying their pockets to help Sichuan earthquake victims.

She said the higher fuel prices merely coincided with the slowdown in donations collected as it was usual for donors to go through a “buffer” period to regenerate their savings.

Woo was confident that donations would continue to pour in even in these challenging times.

Source : The Star

Pot Luck @ Selayang Open Field

Karaoke @ 1U Neway

Event Sponsor : Gentlelite Electrical Trading Sdn Bhd

World Vision Camp Leaders Training

Angels Gathering

Sending used bottles to Beautiful Gate

Used bottles provided by : Jazzmine Tio