Until two days ago, my only medicine was Detrusitol SR 4mg for a neurogenic bladder. Yesterday, on the first day of 2012, I had to add one more to my daily medication for another health problem that has cropped up. My HDL and LDL cholesterol are not at their ideal levels. There is also the family history of heart disease. My father died of congestive heart failure.

The lipid profile done on November 18, 2011 was not too positive. My HDL cholesterol was 0.97 mmol/L and LDL cholesterol was 3.09 mmol/L. The ideal ranges should be above 1.10 mmol/L and below 2.59 mmol/L for the HDL and LDL respectively. In short, I have high cholesterol!

Lipitor 10mg (atorvastatin) daily to treat my high cholesterol.

Taking into consideration the family history, the undesirable levels of both HDL and LDL cholesterol and the fact that I lead a very sedentary lifestyle, I was advised by Dr. Kumaran of the UMMC Spinal Rehab Clinic to go on atorvastatin therapy. This is to keep my cholesterol levels in check and lower the risk of heart attack and stroke later on.

I took my first dose of 10mg Lipitor (crystalline atorvastatin calcium) last night just before bed. The serious side effects of taking Lipitor include muscle problems that could lead to kidney failure, and liver problems. A blood test to check on my liver and renal functions is scheduled in February. Hopefully, Lipitor will not exacerbate my existing kidney problem. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

The Seksyen Kaunseling, Kerjaya dan OKU (Counselling, Career and Disabled Persons Section) of Universiti Malaya organised the Bengkel Disability Equality Training (Disability Equality Training Workshop) on December 29. This workshop at the Dewan Perdana 1 at Kompleks Perdanasiswa was to promote awareness of disability issue in the campus. The participants include students, staff from the various faculties, Student Affairs Divisons (Bahagian Hal Ehwal Pelajar), Residential College (Kolej kediaman), library, Examination Section (Seksyen Peperiksaan), security and the Counselling, Career and Disabled Persons Section.

Emcee opening the Disability Equality Workshop (DET) Workshop at University Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

The two-hour session on DET was conducted using the Facilitated Participatory Learning (FPL) with modules created by Dr. Kunji Kuno and DET Trainers from the United Kingdom. Participants were led through various exercises using images and videos to deepen their understanding on disability and methods to remove barriers using the “open box solution”. Although one session is insufficient for DET, I am glad to note that the participants already had a good grasp of disability issues.

Peter Tan explaining about Disability Equality Training (DET) Workshop at Universiti Malaya.
Photo by Wuan.

I was made to understand that the Seksyen Kaunseling, Kerjaya dan OKU will be organising a follow-up workshop with a longer duration some time next year. This is good news to end the year with where disability matters in Malaysia is concerned. Society is slowly making an effort to understand issues faced by disabled people and also warming up to the notion of making the built environment accessible. I hope the other universities and schools will emulate Universiti Malaya in taking this step in changing attitudes and breaking barriers to make education accessible and available to everyone in Malaysia. A big thank you to Puan Maznah Azis for coordinating this workshop and making sure that everything that I requested were provided for a smooth running of the session.

Participants discussing in groups during one of the DET exercises.
Photo by Wuan.

Group work poster on video analysis for DET Workshop.
Photo by Wuan.

Peter Tan joining in one of the group discussions at the DET Workshop.
Photo by Wuan.

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The theme for this year is “Together for a better world for all: Including persons with disabilities in development.” On the national front, Hari OKU will be celebrated on December 4 at Wisma Bernama with the theme “KARISMA OKU: Melonjak Potensi.”

Enough with fancy slogans and themes already! It is time for the government to put into action all the promises made during conferences, press conferences and speeches. I have been in a wheelchair long enough to see that nothing much have been done to alleviate the plight of disabled people.

How many buildings in Malaysia comply with the Uniform Building By-Law 34A since it was gazetted by the various states in Malaysia in the 1990s? Can a disabled person move conveniently around his neighbourhood or catch a bus to go watch a movie?

One good thing is that medical treatment at all government hospitals is free for disabled people. Admittedly, I am a beneficiary of this generosity. However, I would have great difficulty going to the hospital if I do not have my own transport. There is no accessible bus service where I stay

Malaysia is rushing headlong to gain the developed nation status in less than a decade. Unfortunately, I foresee that disabled people in Malaysia will still be stuck in third world infrastructure come that time. This status will have no meaning to disabled people who have to struggle with barriers every step of the way.

So please, Dato Sri Najib Tun Razak, Dato Sri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and all cabinet ministers, I plead to you with all sincerity to make a commitment to make Malaysia a barrier-free nation by 2020. Don’t just celebrate with us on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Take action to enable and empower us. That is what a caring government must do.