Stop blaming yourself..

Your impairment is only the condition of your physical or intellectual being. Your impairment has nothing related to the disability as disability caused by the socially constructed barrier that hindering your participation into society. So, it's about time that person with impairment to stop blaming him or herself as the cause of their disabilities. We should realize that disabled person is purely refer as person that disabled by the society, not person with impairment.

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BECOME LIKE ME? - PART 2

Another disabled person wannabe..Once again this picture was taken today by Mosmin in Maybank Alam Mesra branch, just 2 weeks after I blogged about the same incident right at the same place. What is wrong with this person? Why must you park at disabled car park while you are not a disabled person? Do you wish to become one? Do you know that it's easier to become disabled person than die at the scene? Do you know that you can custom your level of disability by choosing which part of spine bone you want to be crushed or broken into two??

Why must you take for granted of your ability to walk using your full functioning legs?

ARE YOU SURE YOU WANT TO BECOME LIKE ME?

Gambar ini diambil di kawasan tapak letak kenderaan OKU di Maybank cawangan Alam Mesra. Kredit kepada rakan saya Samri dan Mosmin kerana telah mengambil gambar ini. Page ini bukan untuk mempromosi kereta Gen 2 Proton, tapi sekadar ingin berkongsi dengan rakan-rakan lain tentang attitude masyarakat kita terhadap kemudahan OKU di tempat awam.


Pada masa tersebut rakan saya Samri (pengguna kerusi roda) bersama Mosmin telah pergi ke Maybank cawangan Alam Mesra, tapi berasa kecewa kerana tapak letak kereta yang dikhaskan untuk kenderaan OKU telah diambil oleh pemandu yang bukan OKU. Mereka terpaksa menunggu sehingga tuan punya kereta Gen 2 yang jelasnya bukan OKU, untuk beredar, barulah mereka dapat meletakkan kereta dan turun untuk berurusan dengan pihak Maybank. Masyarakat harus sedar bahawa tapak letak kenderaan OKU ini bukan hanya disediakan supaya OKU itu mudah mendapat ruang parking sahaja, keluasan tapak tersebut membolehkan seorang pengguna kerusi roda mempunyai ruang yang cukup untuk membuka pintu, menurunkan kerusi rodanya dan pindah ke kerusi roda tersebut. Namun, attitude masyarakat yang tidak peka dan sanggup untuk menggunakan kemudahan OKU untuk keselesaan sendiri. Seperti yang diunggapkan oleh Peter Tan dalam blog beliau di bahagian HALL OF SHAME "Pray very very hard that you never ever officially qualify to use these parking spaces."


Walaubagaimanapun, tidak dinafikan kemudahan OKU seperti slope membolehkan pengguna kerusi roda akses ke dalam bank dan layanan yang mesra yang mengutamakan OKU oleh kakitangan Maybank telah banyak membantu proses pengurusan Samri pada hari tersebut. Saya telah difahamkan bahawa pihak Maybank sedang melakukan anjakan paradigma berkenaan fasiliti dan perkhidmatan mereka ke arah yang lebih baik lagi dengan menumpukan pada kebolehaksesan. Usaha ini sedang dijalankan secara berperingkat dengan menaiktarafkan cawangan-cawangan Maybank yang terpilih di seluruh negeri. Sehubungan dengan itu, saya telah menghantar gambar-gambar di atas kepada En Goh, Channel Development Officer (Maybank), dan beliau telah berjanji untuk melakukan tindakan yang sesuai berkenaan perkara ini.


Secara peribadi, saya cadangkan agar pihak pengurusan Maybank melakukan penguatkuasaan dengan hanya membenarkan kenderaan yang mempunyai pelekat OKU sahaja untuk meletakkan kenderaan di tapak letak kenderaan OKU tersebut. Of course, pihak bank harus meletakkan seorang yang bertanggungjawab dalam melaksanakan penguatkuasaan tersebut seperti seorang security guard sebab kita semua sudah sedia maklum dengan attitude masyarakat kita yang tidak akan gentar kalau sekadar meletakkan amaran secara bertulis.


Apa pun, saya percaya pihak Maybank melalui En Goh akan melakukan yang terbaik dalam usaha mereka untuk menaiktarafkan kemudahan Maybank khususnya dalam isu kebolehaksesan.

Luke's story...

This is the adorable, Luke..He is a wheelchair user because of Spina Bifida. I met him this morning at the Rehabilitation Clinic at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. When I first saw him, my attention was immediately drawn into his adult wheelchair, size 14 inches (which is my own wheelchair seat size). There was too much space around his body and he had already developed  Scoliosis to his spine because of it. I approached him and slowly made friendly conversation with him, although he was quite shy at first. However, he later told me that he loves to play computer games and he repeatedly made the angry birds sound :)...

I was quite pleased when I heard that Dr. Anis was going to provide a new wheelchair for Luke, one that was suitable with his small body size. However, I was not happy when I heard that he was in Special Education classes in SK Luyang and learning from a Special Education curriculum. What is wrong with our education system nowadays? He has Spina Bifida, but he doesn't have learning difficulties so why would the school put him into Special Education classes? Though his physical appearance is not like other healthy children, but his mind is still sharp and fit to learn from the ordinary curriculum; he was unfairly discriminated against due to his physical appearance. Upon learning this I spoke to Dr. Anis about Luke, and she shared a common concern about this problem in Sabah. Something needs to be done because it will definitely effect the future of children like Luke. In my opinion, the principal of SK Luyang should come up with something to solve the problem at hand instead of placing a smart child like Luke into special education classes. One solution could be assigning a teacher to teach Luke with the Ordinary Education curriculum if accessibility of the classes is the issue.

I traveled a lot and I've met a few friends that contributed to success stories of children with disabilities in schools. For instance, Mohammad Zulkifli, a wheelchair user due to Guillain-Barre syndrome from Sandakan attended ordinary class in "SMK Elopura 2" and completed his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia with flying colours. This achievement was aided by the principal because he saw him as good as other students in his school, without discrimination. The principal moved Mohammad’s class together with non-disabled students to the ground floor and they studied alongside him. In another case in Beluran, Farreha Natasya, another wheelchair user, was placed in a Special education classroom, but is learning from the ordinary education curriculum, thanks to her teachers and the principal.

Let us imagine that people with good brain function are forced to learn the syllabus that is not to par with his or her real IQ? Now imagine that person is you.....So, how would you like to be treated? Think about that deeply...

'Sigh'............

KAJIAN TEMPATAN MENGENAI KEBAHAGIAN OKU FIZIKAL OLEH EN FERLIS HJ BAHARI (UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH)

April 2011, saya terima panggilan telefon dari seorang pensyarah Sekolah Psikologi UMS iaitu En Ferlis Hj Bahari (gambar tengah) yang sedang menjalankan kajian Phd mengenai Kebahagiaan OKU Fizikal. En Ferlis telah meminta izin untuk menjalankan temuramah dengan saya mengenai kehidupan OKU Fizikal untuk membantu dalam kajian beliau. Saya betul-betul excited bila dengar tajuk kajian yang sedang dijalankan oleh En Ferlis kerana ini merupakan kali pertama dalam hidup saya diminta oleh seorang ahli akedemik untuk menyumbangkan maklumat tentang OKU untuk tujuan ilmiah. Kemudian saya telah diberitahu oleh beliau bahawa sepanjang pengetahuannya, belum ada lagi sesiapa yang tampil untuk menjalankan kajian berkenaan kebahagian oku fizikal secara kajian tempatan kerana selama ini maklumat-maklumat sebegini kebiasaannya diperolehi daripada hasil kajian daripada luar negara.

Due to the nature of my business, pelanggan-pelanggan yang saya temui sememangnya golongan kurang upaya fizikal yang memerlukan peralatan perubatan seperti kaki palsu, kerusi roda dan lain-lain lagi. Ini secara langsung telah memudahkan proses pencarian responden untuk membantu En Ferlis dalam mendapatkan maklumat dalam kajian beliau. En Ferlis juga telah melibatkan diri beliau dalam kumpulan Young Voices Sabah dalam usaha untuk memahami lebih dekat lagi tentang kehidupan OKU.

En Ferlis memberitahu saya bahawa beliau percaya dalam kesedihan dan kekurangupayaan OKU Fizikal, pasti wujud kebahagiaan....Secara peribadi saya yakin bahawa penemuan dari hasil kajian ini nanti pasti akan menyumbang sesuatu yang significant pada golongan kurang upaya.

Sehingga hari ini, En Ferlis masih lagi menjalankan kajian beliau dengan mengikut jadual bulanan perjalanan kami ke seluruh daerah dan bahagian negeri Sabah seperti Tenom, Keningau, Beaufort, Papar, Kota Belud, Kudat, Lahad Datu, Kinabatangan, Sandakan dan Tawau untuk bertemu dan memberi perkhidmatan kepada golongan kurang upaya.

Saya doakan agar En Ferlis dapat memperolehi hasil kajian yang berkualiti demi kebaikan OKU satu hari nanti dan memperolehi Phd beliau dalam masa yang ditetapkan. Insyallah...

ADVOKASI MELALUI MUZIK - YOUNG VOICES SABAH BAND

BIOGRAPHY 

Young Voices Band adalah merupakan kumpulan muzik yang dianggotai oleh 6 Orang Kurang Upaya Fizikal. Kesemua mereka adalah merupakan ahli kumpulan Young Voices Sabah, sebuah kumpulan advokasi yang memperjuangkan hak-hak kesaksamaan orang kurang upaya di dalam masyarakat, yang bernaung di bawah Persatuan Rumah Amal Sabah (Sabah Cheshire Home).

Sebelum tertubuhnya kumpulan YV band ini, ahli-ahli kumpulan bermula dengan berkumpul dan menyanyi secara kecil-kecilan sekadar untuk menghiburkan rakan-rakan OKU yang lain. Bila mereka menyedari bahawa bakat nyanyian dan kebolehan bermain alat musik seperti gitar, keyboard, biola, saxophone, mereka mengambil keputusan untuk menubuhkan kumpulan muzik Young Voices Band.

 

Tidak seperti kumpulan muzik dari golongan OKU yang lain, ahli-ahli YV Band menjadikan persembahan mereka sebagai medium untuk menyampaikan mesej kesedaran kepada masyarakat bahawa OKU itu wujud dikalangan mereka dan boleh melakukan perkara yang dilakukan oleh orang lain yang bukan OKU, jika diberi peluang yang saksama. Sejak dari itu, YV Band telah banyak membuat persembahan secara langsung di majlis atau program yang dijemput oleh Jabatan Kerajaan ataupun yang dianjurkan oleh Persatuan Rumah Amal Sabah (Sabah Cheshire Home) sendiri.

Ahli-ahli kumpulan YV Band terdiri daripada Fariz Rani (Vokalis/Gitaris), Saidih Ramli (Vokalis/Gitaris/Keyboardist/Saxophonist/Violinist), Jatin Moginza (Vokalis/Gitaris), Tonny George (Gitaris/Drummer), Kelinus Mudi (Bassist) dan Mosmin Tinus (Vokalis/Gitaris). Fariz Rani, Jatin Moginza dan Tonny George adalah pengguna Kerusi Roda dan manakala Saidih Ramli, Kelinus Mudi dan Mosmin Tinus adalah pengguna Kaki Palsu.

Terdapat kepelbagaian pada Genre lagu yang dimainkan oleh YV Band yang merangkumi Balada, Slow Rock, Pop Rock dan juga Jazz dan memilih lagu-lagu Oldies dalam kebanyakkan persembahan mereka. YV Band juga menghasilkan lagu-lagu ciptaan sendiri oleh ahli kumpulan mereka seperti lagu tema Young Voices Sabah “You Are Not The Only One” dan lagu berentak Jazz “Selamanya” oleh Fariz Rani dan Saidih Ramli.

YV Band berharap agar dapat melebarkan sayap mereka ke seluruh Sabah, dengan menggunakan bakat dan kebolehan mereka dalam muzik untuk menjalankan advokasi dan kempen kesedaran tentang hak saksama OKU dalam masyarakat.

BACK TO SCHOOL AGAIN! :))))))

Sunday December 4, 2011

Able despite disabilities

By ROWENA CHUA and AZEEZAH JAMEELAH MOHAMED MOHIDEEN

Undergraduates show that their disability is not at all an obstacle to their hopes and aspirations.

AN accident some 13 years ago left Fariz Abd Rani with a spinal cord injury which rendered him a paraplegic. He was riding pillion on a motorcycle and was a first-year undergraduate in Applied Physics in a public university when it happened.

“After the accident, I wanted to request for a transfer to a university in Sabah. My plan did not pan out at the time,” says the 33-year-old.

Life came to a standstill then. “I just stayed at home. All I did was eat, sleep and watch TV,” he says. After three years, he finally came to his senses.

“That was when I seriously asked myself what I wanted to do with my life.”

My family, my strength : Fariz with his parents, sister and nephew.

He soon found a job in a medical supplies company where he spent seven years learning the ropes of the industry.

In 2010, he set up his own business. He became a provider of medical equipment such as prostheses and wheelchairs to hospitals.

His line of work does not allow him to have a desk-bound job and Fariz often has to go out and meet clients, most of whom are accident victims.

It is perhaps one of the reasons why he decided to sign up for the Bachelor of Psychology programme at Open University Malaysia’s (OUM) Sabah Learning Centre.

“I want to reach out to my clients, especially those who are giving up on life.

“With a degree in psychology, I will be armed with knowledge that can come in handy.

“So far, I have relied on my personal experiences and journey to motivate others. I usually tell them that they have a promising future as they can still work and socialise with people, like me.”

Also actively involved in Young Voices Sabah, a local group which advocates the rights of the disabled, Fariz interacts a lot with people who have physical disabilities.

“I am always encouraging them to further their studies. I want them to know that with an added qualification, more opportunities will be available to them.

“It is a good thing that OUM offers discounts on tuition fees for persons with disabilities.

“One of my employees who has an artificial leg recently signed up for the September intake. He opted for the Bachelor of Information Technology programme.”

Initially, Fariz had reservations about enroling at the Sabah Learning Centre.

“I was worried that the inconveniences that come with my physical condition would be a hindrance.

“How do I get in and where do I park my car were issues that bothered me. My doubts were quelled after I met Lamjin Atoh, the director of the learning centre.

The Young Voices Sabah of which Fariz (from row, second from right ) is an active member, after an outdoor event.

“He assured me that my tutorials would be held on the ground floor, that ramps will be installed and that parking lots will be reserved for the disabled,” says Fariz, who drives a car specially modified for his needs.

When asked how he found the tutorials so far, the charismatic entrepreneur who converses confidently in English says, “It feels good to be studying in a class after having worked for 10 years.

“It makes me feel young again. The tutors are great. They understand that we are working adults, and thus suitable teaching methods are used to match our learning styles.

“I make sure that I talk to my coursemates first so that they do not feel uneasy. We are a good mix,” Fariz adds.

Among his coursemates in the English Oral Communication class is a retired government employee while another is a teacher from the interior of Sabah.

“The teacher (from the interior) tell us that he has to cross six rivers to reach his school. That is quite incredible!”

On how he schedules his study hours, Fariz says, “I work on weekdays. My business is fairly new, so I am still very much involved in marketing my products, and that means travelling to different areas within Sabah with my staff.

“Travelling makes me tired. Sometimes, I have to work on Sundays. So, the only time I can devote to my studies is Saturday or, if I am not too tired, a few hours on weeknights.”

From plunging into the depths of despair to rebuilding his life from scratch and becoming a full-fledged businessman, Fariz is a living example that one can emerge a stronger person after a life-altering incident.

“My ultimate goal is to attain a PhD degree because I hope to publish research papers which can serve as educational references in universities.

“I have conducted seminars and workshops, but when they are over, the data used in my Powerpoint presentations go unrecorded. It is such a waste,” says the forward-looking learner who also intends to write a book about his life experiences.

Fariz is also committed to raising awareness among the public of the rights of the physically disabled.

“Our society’s mindset is that if you are disabled, it is best for you to stay at home. Why should such people even bother to study? So, it is very important that human and social interest organisations continue to work on changing such perspectives,” opines Fariz.

“I am happy to be associated with Young Voices Sabah, as it is a platform for me to offer my views on society’s fears and prejudices against disabled people,” he adds.

Fariz also takes part in band performances to impress upon the community that people with disabilities can lead normal lives as well.

“When you see somebody pick themselves up after teetering on the brink of despair, the feeling you get is priceless.

“Family support is important. My family members give me a lot of moral support and encouragement. Without them, I would not be where I am now. But they still worry whenever I have to travel out of town,” says Fariz, before driving off to attend a band rehearsal for a performance where he will be playing the guitar.

RETRIEVED FROM: THE STAR ONLINE (http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2011/12/4/education/9997501&sec=education)