For freedom and equality - Peter Tan and Topong Kulkhanchit at Nonthaburi Thailand, March 2006.

When I received an email from STEP Project Manager of Pakistan Abia Akram saying that Topong Kulkhanchit had passed away, I just could not believe it. In turn I contacted Shoji Nakahishi of the Human Care Association in Japan to confirm the news. Sadly it was true. Topong, as he was fondly called, passed away at 1310 1240 hours (Bangkok Time) at an army hospital in Thailand today. According to Shoji, he had just returned from giving a presentation in Bangladesh.

Topong was the Regional Development Officer for the Disabled People’s International Asia-Pacific which is based in Nonthaburi Thailand. He was a true-blue advocate and activist who loved what he did. When I met him for the first time during the training at the Asia-Pacific Development Centre on Disability (APCD) in Bangkok, he had a yellow scarf around his neck to show allegiance to Thailand’s king and also as a symbol of the anti-Thaksin coalition.

I thought to myself, “Here is a very brave man who is doing great things, not only for his peers with disabilities but also for his nation.”

Therefore, there was a great reluctance in my heart to accept that this great person has left us so soon and so suddenly. There is still so much that he can do to contribute to the disability movement in Thailand and the Asia-Pacific. There is still so much that we can learn from him. He was a free spirit and very charismatic. He never let his disability stop him from living life to the fullest. His demise has left a gaping void in the disability movement that will be difficult to fill.

Rest in peace Topong.

We shall carry on the advocacy on equality for disabled persons from where you left off.

Related link:
Rolling Rain Reports: - Topong Kulkhanchit: Tireless Advocate

For the second consecutive day yesterday, Kuala Lumpur was swamped by what Mum used to call “cheong meng yee” loosely translated to mean unending rain. It rained and it rained. Heaven was weeping again. “For what,” I wondered.

The phone rang. It was Dee.

“Have you heard the news?” she asked.

“What news?” I was perplexed.

“No one told you yet?”

This definitely cannot be good.

And Dee broke the news. It was totally unanticipated. I was lost for words. For a very long time, I tried to speak but no words came out. Dee was silent at the other end too.

Muffins! All I could think of were muffins. Freshly baked muffins. The aroma. The sweetness. My eyes began to tear. Cute little poses. Fingers on cheeks. Her voice. Her vivacity. It all came back in a deluge like the rain that have been pelting the city for the whole afternoon. Then came the pain. That numb throbbing pain.

Val, you were the good friend whom I met only twice. Nevertheless, your energy and exuberance stuck in my mind since that second meeting. You had those cute poses for different expressions. I told you that I am going to make you to teach me the next time we meet. I mourn for that lost opportunity.

And muffins. I have yet to taste those yummy muffins you enticed me so with. The next time and the time after next when I bite into a muffin, I shall think of you. I shall think of how you infected me with your oodles of energy. And that is how I want to remember you by – sweet, funny, vibrant, warm and infectious.

Where once was darkness, light has overtaken. Where once was shackled, you are now free.

I shall miss you dearly.

May the Lord have mercy on your soul.

Related entry:
Goodbye Val

Valerie Tay - Dearly missed, fondly remembered.

May your days now be filled with the sweet aroma of muffins and all things nice.
Rest in peace dear friend.
Farewell.

Sweet memories of Valerie aka CHiQ:
Bloggers Meet, Breasts and Banana Smoothies

Related entry:
Remembering Val

Related links:
YP’s Rantings - Goodbye
Simply Dee - Farewell Dear Friend
The Wilful Sunflower - It’s Over
Jeyadev Uncensored - Goodbye
Screenshots - Farewell, Valerie
Footsteps In The Mirror - Unwelcomed Goodbyes
Hunting The Snark - Goodbye Chiq
djspinnet.org - Goodbye
Peep-A-Peek - In Memory
As Suanie Sees It - all things come to an end
IcyQueenGoddess - A Missed Call In A Meeting
Wondering As I Wonder - And A Star Fades
The Glory Of It All - A Tribute To Val
The Diva Series - a little chicken has flown the coop
CheeV.net - In Loving Memories of CHiQ (Valerie Tay)
Kuala Lumpur Daily Photo - goodbye little chiQ
Malaysian Medical Resources - Don’t wake me up
At Home With Dobbs - Goodbye Val
Simple Dee - Missing A Dear Friend
beatrice in pixieland - Val
What Have I Gotta Say - Goodbye ChiQ
LiquidCucumber - I’ll Be Missing You