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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