Comments on: Independent Living – The Second Revelation

By: pakshah

pakshah — Thu, 22 Sep 2005 05:01:15 +0000

My very best wishes to you and your friends.
I,too, have a paraplegic son and another Down Syndrome son.

By: LecturerUM

LecturerUM — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Peter,

It is interesting to note that the IL workshop that you had attended recently was organised by JICA and JKM. It is being done more formally than the one I attended some years ago (possibly the year 2000) at Brickfields, KL. That one was not via a government agency. JICA usually likes to organise via a government agency.

It is interesting as well that you and other participants are determine to set up an IL organisation in Malaysia based on true IL principles. I wish you the best.

My understanding is that although IL is a powerful concept, it could only work in a developed country, when the country itself really truly understand the concept of IL and support it with the own country’s laws and programmes for disabled people.

This is an interesting benchmark for Malaysia to consider aspire to, if Malaysia dares to call itself a developed country.

Firstly, Malaysia should have a “Rights-based Legislation” which is anti-discrimination in nature for disabled people. We need to ask JKM who had supported the IL workshop, when is the Disabled Person’s Act going to be passed by Parliament, for a start.

Hence, there is a lot of work to be done to kick-start IL in Malaysia.

Just sharing my thoughts.

By: MichelleUPM

MichelleUPM — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Dear Mr.Tan,
I came across your weblog while reading today’s(17/9/05) Malay Mail.I am a blogger myself, and understand how it feels to encounter an irresponsible comment leaver. After reading your blog, I really must say a few things.Firstly, your civic conciousness is admirable.We(young Malaysians) need more role models of your stature.
Apathy is becoming a big issue amongst the younger generation,and there is a “If it doesn’t concern me,I won’t bother” attitude dangerously creeping into our culture.Personally, I found this weblog immensely informative (especially about Persons With Disabilities).Keep up the good work.
Secondly, I would like to say that I’m a Protestant Christian myself,and I understand that sometime ago, someone in a similar position said something that offended you.I sincerely hope that you will not judge us all by that encounter.It’s just like this illustration;
If you found a fake RM50 note in a pile of similar notes, would you throw the whole pile away?
This applies both to religion as well as race.We must never make judgements on any race just because we met a (few) ‘fake RM50 notes’. There are plenty of genuine people as well.
To me, a christian is someone who loves,obeys and has a living relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ.Our faith is not determined by what church we attend,or what denomination we belong to, but by the condition of our hearts.Do we love Him passionately?Does our life mirror His? not whether we are Catholics, Methodists,Lutherans, Baptists or Charismatics etc.,etc.
May the Lord continue to keep you,and make His face shine on you.

With best regards.

By: emily

emily — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

all the best to all sixteen of you, will be praying that you do achieve you dream, if you need any help or support, there are a big bunch of energetic, lively and enthusiastic young and “not so young” malaysians over at pps, all more than willing to give you a hand. God bless! see you at mid valley next sunday!

By: Peter

Peter — Thu, 01 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

LecturerUM,
This IL workshop has taught us a lot of things. We are going to attempt to change the mindset with the one year programme we have planned first. We need to take small baby steps. If nourished properly, I believe this concept is doable here. I will continue to write about IL here later because currently I am trying to sort out my time and my thoughts. A lot has been happening lately and I need to sit back and reset my priorities again. I hope when you return, you will join us in making this a success. And that is one thing I am really looking forward to.

MichelleUPM,
As I mentioned in a previous comment, I do not hate these people. I just do not want to be near them when they regurgitate such blasphemy against my faith. I do not want to waste time and strength in defending my belief all the time from such people. I would rather do something more constructive than to go on a verbal sparring. My only wish is to be left alone to practise what I am currently doing now. I have a lot of Protestant friends who can share with me their beliefs without being offensive. It is a few rotten apples that are spoiling the whole basket. This is all I want to say. Peace be with you.

emily,
We certainly will need a lot of help in many aspects. Thank you for your offer. We will definitely holler when we need it. God bless you.