Wuan took me to UMMC for my scheduled medical check-up today. The blood test revealed that my serum creatinine has hit the roof again - 289umol/l. This is the highest level yet. and is an indication that something is not right. I had to see the dietician to review my low-protein diet again. I have been stuffing myself with rice to appease the hunger pangs during meals. My allowable daily rice quota is one bowl but I have consistently blew it by adding another bowl into each meal. Rice contains protein. This I have to replace with fruits from now on. Fruits too contain protein but in lower amounts than rice.

In addition to Detrusitol for my overactive bladder, and Lactulose and Dulcolax for my bowel management, Dr. Chung, the doctor on duty, also prescribed calcium (calcium lactate), iron (ferrous fumarate) and folic acid tablets. According to him, after so many years of not walking, my bones would have become osteoporotic. The fact that I have not been keepng to my standing exercises aggravated the condition. The calcium supplement was to reduce the osteoporosis. The iron and folic acid tablets were to replace the Sangobion that I have been taking for aneamia. He also wrote a referral for me to see a urologist to perform a urodynamic test to determine the pressure in my bladder. Looks like I have to go back for a series of tests and to collect my medication on a regular basis from now on. That I have to do nonetheless in order to maintain the health of my kidneys and other complications associated with spinal cord injury.

Apa Macam Malaysia?

When they have to resort to this…

Because they cannot get into any of these…

Does the government really need another of this?

Kuchall Airlite Pro
Image taken from Spinlife.com.

A few days after I posted My Dream Ride in September I received an email from Grace. She is a Malaysian who is currently residing and working in Texas, USA. She offered to pay for the Kuschall Airlite Pro. The Airlite Pro is to wheelchairs what Nike Air Zoom Moire is to sneakers. It can be customised to fit my body perfectly. I had to turn down Grace’s generous offer as I felt that it was too expensive a gift to receive. Besides, I believed I could work to earn enough to pay for it sooner or later.

In December 2006, the distributor for Kuschall in USA announced that they would no longer carry that line of wheelchairs in the country anymore. The news was disappointing as it was no longer being offered by online stores in the USA too. However, Kuschall announced in January 22 that another company has been appointed to distribute the brand in the USA again. Just in case the Airlite Pro will not be offered via the online stores, I am prepared to trade it for another equally exciting chair – the Invacare Top End Crossfire Titanium. This is another wheelchair that sports the minimalist design much like the Airlite Pro. Configured to my specifications, both will cost approximately USD3,000 respectively.

Invacare Top End Crossfire Titanium
Screenshot of image from Sportaid.com.

The income from selling advertisement space in my blog has been increasing steadily for the past few months. To realise the dream of owning either of the swanky rides, I have decided to appropriate the money earned from that into a fund for purchasing one of the wheelchairs. At the same time, I will continue to blog as I have always been doing. Advertisements in this blog will be kept to a minimum and inconspicuous. Hopefully, I will able to ride in one before the year is up.

Energy, Water and Communications Minister Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said it was up to the cabinet to decide whether to make public the water concession agreement or the audited accounts of Syarikat Bekalan Air Selangor (Syabas) which are classified under the Official Secrets Act.

‘Sorry, it’s OSA’ - Sun2Surf, January 18, 2007.

The Cabinet is not prepared to make public the toll agreements inked between the government and highway concessionaires, says Works Minister Datuk Seri S.Samy Vellu.

Cabinet says toll agreements to remain secret - Sun2Surf, January 25, 2007.

Did we elect the government to serve us or did we elect the government for us to serve them?

Wheelchair Etiquette

The wheelchair is a very personal piece of equipment. It is the means of mobility for people who cannot walk. Most users treat it with respect. Truly, it is one of the most important implements for people with mobility problems. It enhances the lives of millions of people around the world, not only that of the users but the carers of the users as well.

Just like there are social etiquettes, there are etiquettes related to interacting with wheelchair users too. The Wheelchair Etiquette was based on Ric Garren in the Challenge Magazine. Firstly, the space around the wheelchair should be respected like how we respect the personal space of the people around us. I have had friends and strangers who invade this space by resting their feet on the push rims and happily shaking their legs away. Imagine the discomfort of sitting in a chair that is being shaken vigorously.

Always ask first before providing assistance to wheelchair users. Sometimes it may not be needed. Most people who offer to help mean well but handling a wheelchair the wrong way may endanger both the user and the helper. The armrests and legrests of many wheelchairs are detachable. Therefore it is best to ask where to hold when there is a need to lift the wheelchair over barriers or up the stairs.

When speaking to a disabled person, always speak to him directly instead of through his personal assistant or carer. Most wheelchair users have faced similar situations. It is annoying wanting to buy something only to have the sales staff asking the personal assistant as if the disabled persons cannot speak for himself. Likewise if a conversation is going to last more than a few minutes, it is only polite to continue talking at eye level by either sitting down or kneeling to prevent the wheelchair user from having to maintain an uncomfortable posture.

Lastly, having to use a wheelchair is not a tragedy. I have met politicians exclaiming “Oh my God!” after being told that I have been using a wheelchair for twenty two years. The wheelchair is just another mode of mobility much like the bicycle. On the other hand, it is a real tragedy that most local authorities do not see the need and urgency to create a barrier-free environment in their respective municipalities although there are legislations and standards to deal with this issue. This non-action has greatly limited the mobility of wheelchair users in public places. Perhaps these municipal officials are in dire need of learning the etiquettes on how to be effective public servants.