Comments on: A Caring Society Reacts

By: james

james — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

I think it’s wonderful that people have responded to give Peng Chai a new lease of life. At least he’ll have a very viable option now to go on living. Stories like this reaffirms my faith in mankind.

I hope Peng Chai will choose to live.

By: petertan

petertan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

James,
Presented with these options, at least there is hope that his life will change for the better. For every story like Peng Chai’s, there are tens of other similar sad tales that have gone unnoticed and untold. Let’s pray that each and every one of those deserving cases gets highlighted and due attention given.

By: tkkang

tkkang — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Glad you picked up on this news. Have been reading around to understand what people think - disABLED and professional alike. Like your statement “Why now only after thirteen years ?” I have some partial answer - My advice given 12 years ago for his rehabilitation went to deaf ears. It has come back to haunt us.

I am reminded by this statement I used in my paper at: http://www.hku.hk/epdcc/tkkang/abipaper.html

“When Others Speak for You, You Lose”. These are the words of Ed Roberts, a founder of the US Independent Living Movement who practised what he preached when he was alive.

Speak up.

By: tkkang

tkkang — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

The advice was directed to professionals.
He needed rehabilitation in a rehabiltation environment away from a hospital setting - but choice was restricted because he is on ventilator.
He did received the best of care in hospital nevertheless. Nurses were good - I remember getting good help demonstrating modem dial-up for remote self-help. However it takes more for successful rehabiltation and environment is critical.

By: petertan

petertan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Hospitals are not the best places for long term rehabilitation. General ward nurses are not trained for this. I agree that environment is critical. I am lucky that I have very concerned parents who put rehab as the first priority. They made sure that I have the right equipment and physiotherapy, and it helps that I was under the care of the best physiotherapist in Penang.

By: tkkang

tkkang — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

Ha.. then you should discipline yourself to follow the physiotherapy regime. There is also forming of human relationship which last and drives a person to live on. Many new development here in the HK local news. You insight is the best I read so far - from the heart!!

By: petertan

petertan — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

One of the reasons why I do not exercise nowadays is because I spend too much time online reading trash and blog stalking.

Thank you for the compliment. After twenty years as a tetraplegic, I guess I can consider myself an authority on such matters. Experience is the best teacher.

By: Beng99

Beng99 — Tue, 30 Nov 1999 00:00:00 +0000

huh? what? i mean who’s there?
(tot i heard someone knocking at my door, knock knock?)