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 the world, 21st December 2012 and well, I am glad I survived the doomsday prediction which did not happen, smiles..
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| A Walk in the Kota Damansara Community Forest to celebrate International White Cane Day 2012 - organised by Adult Blind Association |
January 2013 will be my 6th year, since becoming a permanent member of the blind community. It’s likened to crossing the bridge from the sighted world to the fascinating dark world, not knowing what it has in store for me. I am really glad to have such a loving wife and my 3 kids who together, helped me to overcome the traumatising and devastating moments during those crucial months when I lost my sight due to a severe bacterial infection in early January 2008. Together as a family, we have not looked back but moved on positively ahead in life.
I relearned my computer skills, regained my confidence and more importantly, became actively involved in advocating the blind community to speak out and stand up for their rights. As a result, I have taken up the challenging role as a volunteer chairperson of a blind computer users club, sit in a technical committee for facilities for the disabled and the elderly in a city council and speak at public events on issues affecting the blind community.
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| Golf competition in China - organised by Hong Kong Blind Sport Association |
Recognising the need to bridge the gaps and the missing links in helping the adult blind (newly blind adults), I have started a new organisation, Adult Blind Association of Selangor, to offer emotional support counselling, basic rehabilitation services and reaching out to those needing help, be it the adults who have newly become blind or about to lose their sight. The association will also offer help and support to the care givers
Another notable personal achievement which I am extremely happy is the official recognition and the registration of the first ever Malaysia Blind Golf Association. I must say that I did not even think that I could get back into this game of golf when I lost my sight back in 2008. Well, if there’s a will, there’s always a way
So, what will the new year 2013 bring forth? For me, I know I will be doing more advocating work and perhaps too, raising awareness on self advocacy to the blind community to start with, advocating for better access for all and last but not least, promote blind golf to the blind community and bring the game to the next level, that is, international level.
So Hello 2013....
More challenging times ahead!
