Disabled, animals need help during floods, too

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Anthony SB Thanasayan is a wheelchair user who is powered by his service dogs who help him stay on top of life. He is president of Malaysia's first and only animal-assisted therapy society called Petpositive.

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Published: 29 December 2014

 

News of the monsoon floods, last week, completely ruined my Christmas mood and celebration.
 

Although I had decided to have a quiet one at home with my dogs and listening to carols on the Internet, I simply couldn't concentrate.
 

By Boxing Day on Friday, the number of people displaced by floods in Kelantan, Terrenganu, Pahang and Perak, rose to a staggering 103,413. It was up by more than 9,000 from the previous night.

And, it is still pouring copious amounts of rain outside, as I write this article. In addition to everything one has to consider about in a tragic flood situation, I couldn't help thinking about two main things: the handicapped, as well as animals caught in the predicament.
 

How were the disabled and the elderly coping? Are they on the "Priority List" in rescue missions' preparation, evacuation and follow-up programmes?
 

Or are they overlooked?
 

Do the village heads or local councils have a list of their names and where to locate them? The handicapped are the ones who need immediate assistance from life-threatening floods.
 

Neighbours can play a key role in this. If they know of a disabled person in the neighbourhood, they should move in quickly to get them out to safety.
 

Rescuers need to get into their homes and even rooms to find them. Wheelchairs are no good in water. So they will need to be physically carried.
 

Better for a trained rescuer to carry individuals. If unsure, ask the handicapped person the proper way to be carried. This is to ensure that no damage is done to their bodies during the rescue process.
Keep wheelchairs available in rescue shelters. Walking sticks, and other aids, should all be regarded with equal importance as wheelchairs.
 

 In moments of a crisis like this, it is important to help victims feel still "in control" of a situation by providing these aids, rather than making them more dependent on others without them.
 

Besides, rescuers can't be with them all the time, as there are others needing help, too.
 

The blind, living alone, are just as vulnerable. Rescuers should call out loudly to them. If they happen to know their names, call out to them.
 

The deaf, on the other hand, are unable to hear any sounds of danger to alert them. By the time they do, it is often too late.
 

So the authorities should take this into account by going the extra mile when searching for the disabled. It would also only make good sense to train staff, with a basic knowledge of sign language, which would be a great advantage.
 

Persons on medications with life-threatening diseases also need special attention. It's important to take them along with you during the rescue.
 

This will be helpful afterwards in the shelter, as their stay could last days and weeks before the crisis is over. Persons on medication are advised to keep their medicines in a water-proof handy bag in event of emergencies.
 

I mentioned animals as my second area of concern.
 

I was thrilled to see some news reports of cats being rescued by our brilliant boys and girls who sacrificed their lives to help the victims of the flooding.
 

However, at the time of writing this, I never saw any pictures of dogs being rescued. Though I have no doubt, that canine owners would have done the same things with their pets in the crisis.
 

If there isn't one now, then it's a plain shame.
 

But I certainly hope that once this flooding problem is over at least, our country will make a serious effort to have a special team to rescue cats and dogs whenever there is a crisis of any kind.
 

I can think of no better reason than to say it's because we are caring Malaysians that we should do this.
 

The "Malaysian Animal Rescue Disaster Team" should be set up by the Department of Veterinary Services, along with the respective 151 local councils throughout the nation.
 

It should be run with utmost professionalism and funded by both the local councils, as well as the federal authority. 
 

And, as for persons with disabilities and the elderly, there is no more excuse now for not getting dead serious about including the participation of persons with disabilities themselves in disaster management planning, awareness and training of emergency response, of all staff to their special needs. – December 29, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

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Surrounded by Santas and Santarinas

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Anthony SB Thanasayan is a wheelchair user who is powered by his service dogs who help him stay on top of life. He is president of Malaysia's first and only animal-assisted therapy society called Petpositive.

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Published: 22 December 2014

 

It’s finally Christmas again this week, folks!
 

Each year, I make it a point during this time to visit at least one shopping centre in the city. This is so that I can take in the mood and atmosphere of the season going around everywhere in order to make my Christmas complete.
 

Even though it's mostly to window shop, checking out shopping complexes has become a personal "traditional must" over the years.

And it has to be done before Xmas eve in order to make everything right. 

 

Last Wednesday was supposed to be THE DAY.
 

I had picked out Mid Valley Megamall in Kuala Lumpur this time as my choice.
 

When you think about it, it's not really hard to see why.
 

They have the most exemplary Santa Clauses, in my opinion.
 

And best of all, they are available all around the year – not just during Xmas.
 

Mid Valley is the only shopping centre that I'm aware of which provides assistance for wheelchair customers – right from the car park.
 

All you have to do is to drive over to their designated disabled friendly underground car park area and honk.
 

If you are lucky, you will be greeted by a great big Santarina, with an even bigger smile to help you park your car.
 

She is one of the security Santarinas and Santas in the mall to open the barrier chains meant to keep able bodied drivers' cars out and allow vehicles with wheelchair logos in.
 

Next, you have to ring the Customer Service Santas (or again, Santarinas) from your mobile phone.
 

And, they will be down with you in a jiffy with your "sleigh" (wheelchair or "Power Shopper") – courtesy from the mall. A Power Shopper is an electric scooter-like, small vehicle – like an electric wheelchair – that helps a disabled shopper to move around in the mall.
 

No need to rush getting yourselves out of the car and into the wheelchairs and Power Shoppers!
 

These Saint Nicholas have loads of patience and smiles with them. They will not only take you to where you want to go, but will return anytime if you are facing any difficulty. 

 

Just ring them again anytime, and certainly when you need to get back to your car.
 

The only thing lacking in their Xmas goodies is that Mid Valley Megamall does not give free parking for disabled drivers.
 

I've suggested this to the management on a few occasions.
Let's hope they play an even bigger Father Christmas and make this wish come true. Every help given to disabled persons will go a long way to making our lives better.
 

Back to my main story now.
 

At the last minute, I wasn't able to make my trip as scheduled to Mid Valley because things suddenly went wrong at home that morning.
 

My three-year old service canine Zhar, my Dobermann, had the runs during the previous night. Because it persisted, I had no choice but to abruptly change my plans for the day.
 

I was a little under the weather myself, to be honest, and could feel an insidious infection coming along.
 

For a dog that takes care of me every day by picking up things and carrying them for me with his mouth – from keys, drinking bottles, TV remote, mobile phone and more – I had no heart to leave him at home by himself.
 

Suddenly, our roles were reversed. For once, with me in my wheelchair, I found myself being his caregiver for the day.
Despite feeling exhausted by the diarrhoea, my Dobermann kept insisting on helping me as usual.
 

My personal Santa on all fours would rush forward to help me pick things up. However, I could see that he didn't understand why he couldn't do it as quickly and energetically as before.
 

But there was a line of other Saint Nicholases to help me along.
 

A friend, whom I shall call "St Michael" who traditionally gives me Christmas lunches each year, was scheduled to meet me that day at noon. I called him hours before our meeting to cancel our appointment.

 

Seeing that he was a very busy businessman, and it being the end of the year and all, I thought that he might be annoyed that my cancellation at the last minute might upset his other plans.
 

He wasn't. 

 

Instead he not only totally understood my situation, but promised to reschedule it again before Xmas.
 

Another appointment during tea time on the same day also had to go. It was a first-time appointment with a woman animal activist.
"I understand completely; get well soon to your doggie and you," she responded in her Short Messaging Service (SMS) within minutes of my message to her.
 

She even went further to enquire the next day about how Zhar and I were doing.
 

My medical doctor – as well as Zhar's veterinarian – also played "Ho Ho Ho Santas" when I needed them most.
 

They kept close contact with me to make sure that man and canine were doing fine. 

 

They armed us with the right professional advice and medication to not only fight off our respective bugs, but also to prevent them from bouncing back.
 

My best able-bodied pal, Andrew Martin, was next at my door with a mop and some cleaning stuff to perform the basics.
 

With so many real life Saint Nicholases around and in my home, Zhar and I don't have to worry about not having the perfect Xmas this week.
 

And I wish you all the same, too. – December 22, 2014.
 

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

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Making sense of our disabled-friendly facilities

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Anthony SB Thanasayan is a wheelchair user who is powered by his service dogs who help him stay on top of life. He is president of Malaysia's first and only animal-assisted therapy society called Petpositive.

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Published: 15 December 2014

 

It's encouraging to see wheelchair logos and disabled-friendly facilities slowly popping up in various places in our towns and cities across the nation.
 

However, if for one minute you think that all is well for the disabled after this - I'm sorry to say that you are sadly mistaken. Because getting to one of them, and trying to use the so-called "conveniences", usually ends up into another story! Particularly, for those with wheelchairs and walking sticks.
 

These problems happen because the issue is not only about providing reserved car parks, special ramps, and others for wheelchair users.

More importantly, it is about putting in plenty of thought and planning beforehand into ensuring that these special facilities are truly convenient and fully functional for those who need them.  

Take, for instance, what happened a couple of days ago to Antony Leopold.
 

The 62-year old, who works as a travel agent in Kuala Lumpur, went to meet a client.
 

The meeting venue was at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) in Sepang. Both are wheelchair users.
 

Leopold, who had poliomyelitis when he was a child, had to drive himself to the airport alone. He couldn't get anyone to accompany him that day.
 

(Leopold uses a pair of callipers - a special walking aid with metal rods and shoes, strapped on both of his legs for support. He also uses two metal walking sticks for both of his hands for balance.)
 

At KLIA's departure hall area, he found more than a dozen reserved car park slots (all empty) for disabled drivers. But alas, they were all blocked by parking barriers!
 

"I had a tough time removing the barriers myself," Leopold lamented to me.
 

"I had to shift and lock my callipers into action. When I was on my feet, I grabbed my walking sticks and had to perform an incredible balancing act stunt to push away the barriers, before getting into my car again to park it.
 

"For people in wheelchairs and unable to walk at all, it would have been impossible to park there," he explained.
 

Leopold pointed out that even though there was an uninterrupted flow of passengers and visitors streaming in and out of the automatic door nearby, no one offered to help him.
 

Not even any of the able-bodied uniformed staff who were walking around.
 

Inside, Leopold faced further obstacles.
 

Realising that it would take a long walk to the meeting point where his friend was waiting, he requested for a wheelchair.
 

Instead of getting the wheelchair for Leopold, the staff pointed him to the direction of another information desk, where the wheelchairs were located.
 

He had to make another long and painstaking walk to the wheelchair counter.
 

Leopold's meeting proper with his friend took only five minutes in the end. However, he had to spend nearly an hour going through his ordeal in KLIA.
 

He had to avoid a couple of walkalators in the process. They were much too dangerous for people like him - as well as the blind - because they could lose their balance and fall when using walkalators.
 

Uncaring non-disabled passengers was another problem.
 

They simply refused to give up the "resting benches" even for a minute despite seeing Leopold struggling to catch his breath in exhaustion.
 

"The least they could have done was to removed their luggage on the seats to let me sit down for a bit," Leopold said.
 

The by now fatigued travel agent, who is married and has three children, was even refused help when he asked one of the staff to accompany him to his car for some assistance when he was leaving.
"Sorry sir, we are too busy right now and your request is not part of our job description," they told him.
 

With more than 25-years experience in the travel industry, Leopold has the following advice for KLIA to consider with regards to disabled and elderly passengers:

• Have a dedicated counter for disabled and elderly passengers. They should be able to access it the moment they arrive (and not somewhere deep inside the airport which requires lengthy walks).
• The special desk should be manned by trained personnel who can assist passengers and visitors with all types of disabilities: wheelchair users, the visually impaired, deaf persons and others.
• Wheelchairs should be promptly provided to the physically disabled or anyone with walking disabilities - including the elderly. Further assistance, like help in pushing their wheelchairs and others should also be provided - if asked - more so for persons who are alone and without help.
• Wheelchair logos should be clearly marked and placed as stand-up signboards. Markings on the ground, as is the practice in KLIA, is ineffective by itself. Failing to do so is also a contributory factor to disabled parking spots being abused by the able-bodied.
• In the inner lanes of both the arrival and departure halls, there must be at least two or three disabled parking available as they genuinely require it. Currently only VIP vehicles, taxis, limousines and vehicles with special permits are allowed.
• Please sensitise the police present at KLIA to the special needs of disabled persons as they keep chasing disabled drivers away who need help. – December 15, 2014.

* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

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Disability, a ‘death penalty’ after 50

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Anthony SB Thanasayan is a wheelchair user who is powered by his service dogs who help him stay on top of life. He is president of Malaysia's first and only animal-assisted therapy society called Petpositive.

Anthony SB Thanasayan

Published: 8 December 2014

 

I had a wonderful time last Wednesday. It was International Day of Persons with Disabilities or IDPD.

The first IDPD was announced in 1992 by the United Nations.
Now, nearly quarter of a century later, there are more than one billion disabled people in the world. 

 

This makes persons like me and others officially the largest minority group the world over.

According to statistics by the UN, the majority of us live in developing countries, which we are a part of. 

 

As a person born with a disability - and having successfully made it to 53 years of age last month - my work in advocating for the rights and welfare of disabled people over all the years have showed me one most important thing.
 

And that is, the best way to change the world for the handicapped is through sensitising the non-disabled public about what persons with disabilities have to go through every day of our lives.
 

This is especially so because the disabled live in a society which, largely and frankly, was not built with our special needs and rights in mind.
 

Raising awareness was exactly what I found myself doing on the morning of IDPD.
 

My day started with a live phone-in interview on TRAXXfm.
The station's presenters Roundhead and Mary rang me up on my mobile phone at a quarter past 9am. 

 

I could picture listeners at home, and on the roads, driving in their cars and listening in to us.
 

Our chat, around five minutes or so, was also followed on Twitter and Facebook.
 

I tried to cover as many issues as I could, with the golden opportunity that I had in my hands, to speak to the nation within the short time span.
 

We spoke on technology for the disabled in helping to give them an improved quality of life, which is this year's IDPD theme.
 

I lamented about the fact that most of my wheelchair friends still had no access to computers.
 

"It is sad that IT fairs still focused more on the able-bodied than people with disabilities," I said, as the deejays listened intently and nodded.
 

"Internet service providers should also stop being selfish by giving discounts to disabled subscribers - only to limit their use afterwards, compared to features which are plentifully available to non disabled users," I added.
 

TRAXXfm also asked me about the thorny subject of non-disabled drivers abusing disabled car parks.
 

It was a great chance to remind everyone to never use a disabled car park, unless they are handicapped.
 

"Even a minute or two taken up by an able-bodied driver is hell for the disabled driver, who may never find a parking spot again.
 

"We would like to think that Malaysians are a 'caring lot'. However, the truth of the matter is, the moment we get into our cars, we forget everything and everyone. It's each man for his own, after that."
 

On the bright side, it is good to see members of the public taking positive steps to post pictures of the offending vehicles with their number plates on social media to shame them.
 

One US disabled activist wrote on my Facebook that when such a thing happens in her country, the drivers usually have their cars promptly towed away and slapped with a hefty fine.
 

"If that doesn't happen, they may very well find their tyres 'mysteriously' deflated," she wrote.
 

After the interview, I had to rush over to give another talk on IDPD in Kuala Lumpur that very day. 

 

But not before getting my best able-bodied pal, Andrew Martin, to pop by over to my house a couple of hours before the event to help me get dressed for the occasion.
 

First in the bathroom, and then to wear my pants and shirt. The task was completed with my socks and shoes.
 

At times like these, I wish our government would provide us with "personal attendant care" workers like they do in overseas countries.
 

It is also catching on here in Asia.
 

Even international agencies like the World Health Organisation has urged developing countries to get their act together in providing such a service in preparation with the numbers of elderly persons growing at an alarming pace.
 

Personal attendants are paid by the government to assist the disabled in daily living chores in the house. They will help cook your meals for you, give you a bath, and even wash your clothes, if you are unable to do it for yourself.
 

And there is no charge for this.
 

When I brought this up directly to a welfare minister (who is no longer there now), she just laughed it off and reminded me that "Malaysia is not a welfare state". 

 

She said it in a disapproving tone, sounding almost disgusted with the idea.
 

It's easy for her to talk because she is able-bodied.
 

She is not caught in the same predicament as that of the increasing numbers of physically disabled Malaysians who are ageing, and have no one to turn to for help.
 

For them, more so for those from poor backgrounds, it is an unimaginable nightmare when their parents pass on, and there is no one left to look after them.
 

The Welfare Department is currently looking into such paid caregivers for NGOs for the disabled.
 

But they told me they have not started yet to look into the needs of individuals who live on their own or with their families.
 

Until then, living above the age of 50, will be a virtual "death penalty" for everyone, as experts warn all of us will have a disability or two when we grow older.
 

So, I guess the answer is: "Let's all stop growing older!" – December 8, 2014.
* This is the personal opinion of the writer or publication and does not necessarily represent the views of The Malaysian Insider.

- See more at: http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/opinion/anthony-sb-thanasayan/article/disability-a-death-penalty-after-50#sthash.WgXtxmEU.dpuf