tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-15356844701418712152024-02-07T13:35:48.280+08:00MyBlindSight...Challenging the realm of hidden abilities beyond sightYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-73675506551253671022019-01-01T23:37:00.001+08:002019-01-01T23:37:36.496+08:00Happy New Year 2019!It's been awhile that I have posted an article to my blog. This new year, I hope to be more active in blogging. Looking back at 2018, there's still little awareness about adult blindness, accessibility and social acceptance of disability. Many adults losing their sight due to eye diseases, accidents, etc still face tough challenges in coping with blindness. Important emotional support/Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-61702459124656400422017-12-30T13:30:00.001+08:002017-12-30T13:30:18.959+08:002017 ReflectionsAnother year's about to come to a close. Time do pass by us so quick and as the saying goes, time waits for no one, has truth in it. If one chooses to be complacent or wait for good times to happen or otherwise, time will just continue to move on. Reflecting, a year of discovery and my independent living skills put to test and caring for my dogs. Discover Myanmar, a recent trip with a Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-21938106207424541942017-08-26T06:05:00.001+08:002017-08-26T13:50:24.466+08:00Hold On Be StrongLife is indeed full of excitement, surprises and challenges. Living in the present moment is what we must do,,, thus enabling us to live a meaningful life. Surprises in life could suddenly be a life changer to one's life, this happened to me!
Over the past few years, I'd met and got to know folks, especially adults, progressively going blind due to various reasons eg. diseases, infections Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-49839214037386962792017-08-19T21:11:00.000+08:002017-08-20T17:52:09.733+08:00Disabled parking out of bound to the Blind Denying the Blind n the Deaf the right to use the disabled parking bays is clear discrimination. Excuses that the Blind do not drive and the Deaf could easily walk do not hold water. Perhaps, the authorities have the notion that being blind or deaf, they are of excellent health and forgetting that people age, having walking difficulties due to other health problems,arthritis, diabetes, Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-35055072533506935212017-08-17T11:01:00.000+08:002017-08-20T17:48:17.904+08:00Life after blindness through musicThe rapid advancement in technology, assistive technology and products for the blind have been a positive life changer for me. Learning new skills such as using smart phones and computer, opened up new doors and windows. Coping with blindness's is a lot easier and also in regaining my independence as much as possibly could. Technology has also given me an opportunity to explore music. Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-7165702184669104052016-01-26T13:13:00.001+08:002016-01-26T15:12:20.057+08:00Touch screen devices, the way forward!It's such a wonderful feeling to know that today,the blind friends are aware on the importance of mobile devices such as smartphones which provide the link to connect them with the world. Breaking news updates, emails, video/audio communication, etc are now possible and accessible to the blind community.The fear of touch screen phones without the conventional physical buttons seem to diminish andYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-42212430398096895722016-01-06T11:42:00.001+08:002016-01-06T11:42:35.523+08:00VISION FOR THE NEW YEARAnother year came to a close and it marked my 9th year crossing the bridge from the sighted to the world of darkness. A severe bacterial infection resulted in sudden loss of sight in both my eyes. As an adult blind, the emotional struggles in overcoming the acquired disability was quite a traumatic ordeal and sad to add that there were little help or support available to me at that point ofYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-86704760499548889822016-01-01T17:27:00.001+08:002016-01-01T17:27:39.959+08:00Happy new year 2016!Losing one's sight as an adult is unimaginable to many as the traumatic experience is devastating. It leads to deep depression to both the affected and loved ones. This happened to me 8 years ago. I contracted a severe bacterial infection which resulted in my sudden loss of sight in both my eyes, infected both lungs and liver.Accepting my new life and letting go of the past, a mammothYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-91046943247080920932014-10-25T09:57:00.000+08:002014-10-25T10:18:03.755+08:00Bridging Darkness with Hope
At the recent event organised by The Rotary Seeing Eye to Eye Seminar at Syuen Hotel, Ipoh, Perak, on 18th October 2014, in conjunction with the World Sight Day, I presented my experience of the challenging journey from the sighted to the blind world.'Introduction
Good morning. First and foremost, thank you to Dr Lee and his organizing committee in allowing me this opportunity to Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-43299479912438149672014-04-01T10:54:00.001+08:002014-04-01T10:54:40.996+08:00I Hear You....."I hear you, we, the the banks hear you, Mr Yam. There will be no discrimination against the blind by banks," declared loudly by the Association of Banks, Malaysia chief officer in the presence of many, Central Bank(BNM) officers, Welfare Ministry(JKM) officers, Banks representatives, National Disability Council(NCD) committee members and representatives from various disabled Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-767513609885079222013-05-17T11:37:00.000+08:002013-05-17T11:38:01.391+08:00Blind voting experience Following is my recent voting experience as a 1st time blind voter. I was not able to vote in the last general election(GE12) as I was still recuperating from a severe bacterial infection (January 2008) which resulted in losing my sight and also affected my liver and lungs then. Both my wife, my son and I decided to cast our votes early in the morning. We arrived at the Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-73208456601923862712012-12-31T00:36:00.000+08:002012-12-31T00:36:07.581+08:00Goodbye 2012, Hello 2013
Another year closing…..
Another year is just about to come to a close. Like the so many people around the world, it’s a time to relax, sit down comfortably, a time to reflect on the past year’s happenings and occurrences that had or could have impacted one’s life, predictions and resolutions that one had painfully thought of at the beginning of the year. Many have predicted the end of Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-38942472723222702882012-11-06T15:47:00.001+08:002012-11-06T16:13:10.801+08:00International White Cane Day Celebration
SPEECH BY YAM TONG WOO, organising chairman, WHITE CANE DAY celebration at the Kota Damansara Community Forest Park, OCT 13, 2012
Selamat Pagi Yang Berhormat Ms.Elizabeth Wong(Exco Kerajaan Negri Selangor), Dr. Nasir(ADUN Kota Damansara), Mr. Anthony Thanasayan(Ahli Majlis Petaling Jaya), Mr. Jeffrey Phang(Chairman, Friends of Kota Damansara), kawan kawan yang buta danYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-41438520318733616452012-11-06T15:26:00.000+08:002012-11-06T15:27:02.190+08:00Adult Blind Association of Selangor Adult Blind Association, Selangor (ABA, Selangor) Persatuan Orang Dewasa Buta dan Penglihatan Terhad Selangor (Adult Blind Association Selangor), a newly registered organization has been set up to focus on raising awareness about adults who are loosing their sight (Adult Blindness). the special needs in rehabilitation, emotional support and counseling to Adult Blind and Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-67602502386126169302012-08-21T23:50:00.000+08:002012-08-21T23:50:31.360+08:00Adios Dear Friend
Adios Dear Friend
When I became blind I was fortunate to meet a few friends and became close with them over the short span of 4 years. It was from them that I managed to quickly grasp the basic rehabilitation skills, such as orientation and mobility, basic Braille reading skills and not forgetting hanging out at nearby coffee shops for tea breaks. One of them, Mr. Chan Chen, Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-84071897940741211692012-08-09T21:28:00.001+08:002012-08-09T21:28:58.207+08:00Inaccessible Hotel in a Liveable CityPJ, the city of choice Conference:
It’s truly heartening to listen to 2 renowned International experts talking about the importance of engagement, involvement and participation of all sectors of community, working together to realize a shared vision of a livable city for all. Yes, the message was clear, that is, the disabled community should be included and be actively participating. What a Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-6622266780514298422012-07-12T16:26:00.000+08:002012-07-12T16:26:10.452+08:00DEAFBLIND - A LESSER KNOWN GROUPLooking back, I considered myself fortunate that I
was able to tap on my inner strength, and coupled with family support and love
I was able to overcome and accept my sudden loss of sight as a result of severe
bacterial infection in January 2008. This life changing experience widened my
scope of vision in seeing the good, bad and the ugly sides of life.
Fortunately, there’s more of the good. I amYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-53833379187443779292012-07-12T16:24:00.001+08:002012-07-12T16:24:52.606+08:00COPING WITH BLINDNESSQ&A : A session with a curious teenager:
Question: Do you listen to the beeping traffic light before you cross the road? Or do you
use white canes (mostly) ?
My reply: The white cane acts as `my eyes' whenever I travel out of my house.
Yes, the beeping audible sound from the traffic lights helps me in deciding when
to cross the road but I still have to rely on my hearing toYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-92119054825696222102012-07-11T22:43:00.000+08:002012-07-11T22:44:53.147+08:00ATTITUDE OR INDIFFERENCE?
Admittedly, losing my sight in year 2008, due to a severe bacterial infection, it has been a life changing event, having to relearn practically everything for example, simple things like walking, eating and drinking, which comes a second nature to all. However, I noticed that I have become more observant to the surroundings and the happenings around me. Blindness has not stopped me from Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-41761837362858484062012-07-11T22:26:00.000+08:002012-07-11T22:26:09.003+08:00WESAK DAY
Wesak day, an important day in the Buddhist calendar, marking the birth, enlightenment and death of Lord Buddha. Buddhist devotees, throughout the country, young and old and from all walks of life, would throng the hundreds of Buddhist temples located in the country to honour and pay their respect in commemoration of this significant event.
My sudden loss of sight in January 2008 as a Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-50667739352703600922012-06-12T15:06:00.001+08:002012-06-12T16:01:41.902+08:00UK Travelogue briefsLeft KL on a warm and dry Tuesday, 22 May on a MAS direct non-stop KLLondon flight. Bumpy flight due to several air turbulences encountered. Arrived London Heathrow airport on the the same evening, 7 hours difference. Warm sunshine upon arrival and fine weather lasted for a few glorious days.
Up in Scotland on 6 June for a few days over the jubilee weekend. Cold in Helensburgh but had a splendidYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-55917217764139618032012-03-11T11:35:00.001+08:002012-03-11T11:35:22.069+08:00UNIVERSAL ACCESSIBILITY
I attended a talk,
entitled"Universal Accessibility to Ubiquitous Services: Supporting the Everyday
Life of People with Restrictions." This special accessibility talk was organized
by UUID (Universal Usability & Interaction Design) SIG, Faculty of
Creative Multimedia, Cyberjaya.
It was indeed a privilege to meet
the speaker in person, a renowned accessibility expert, Professor Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-49470314884899733062012-02-11T06:14:00.001+08:002012-02-11T06:14:20.969+08:00Let your voices be heard! Know your rights! Speak up! My thoughts and my wishlists for the year 2012..<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /> A year of action, paradigm shift for all with the ultimate goal in mind, that is, making a real difference to the lives of the blind and the partially sighted community. An important year too, whereby the community will come together, join hands and stand Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-45551765429967784782012-02-09T07:13:00.000+08:002012-02-09T07:12:56.948+08:00Dragon Year messageA brief Dragon year message to a friend.. We have all gone through the life's challenges and hopefully, we are ready and well equipped to tackel the life's next tasks along the unknown journey path. More importantly, we must recognise that yours and mine, etc are different and therefore, there is no need to compare nor envy others who, supposedly, are more successful in our eyes, etcYam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1535684470141871215.post-31845699426225728722011-12-10T13:05:00.001+08:002011-12-10T13:19:07.699+08:00My First Blind National Convention Experience
I was thrilled when I was invited to attend a national convention organized by the National Council for the Blind, Malaysia (NCBM) recently. However, the thrill turned to trepidation when I was requested to be a speaker on a tough subject entitled “Healthy Financing Breeds Quality Projects". Just the thought of public speaking in the dark to a large audience is still something that is a Yam TWhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10875656372844627346noreply@blogger.com0