Heap Hope Angels

去美门残障中心另一个目的是学手艺制作铁线模型。平时在街道、商业中心都看到残障朋友售卖各式各样的铁线模型和锁匙扣，其中有摩托车、自行车、乐器、动物、鱼儿、龙、昆虫等，个个栩栩如生，美丽极了！不过最令我感动的莫过于在阳光天使生活营里所见到的“天使心”模型。

它很特别，天使手上捧着一颗小爱心，底部绕着一颗大爱心，好像驾着云团的天使，把爱传递出去。第一眼看到它就很想拥有它，可惜当天活动环节我拿不到最佳爱心天使奖，只好与“它”擦身而过。只有身体力行，深入虎穴，才有机会得到“天使心”。

虽说拜师学艺，也得看天分。自问天分我是有一点点的，只不过我那双“老手”，僵硬如树根，那做得出细腻的东西！炳卫大哥的手艺很巧，扭什么像什么，花两三分钟就扭出 “天使心”，令我惊叹不已！一扭一压都看功夫，所以我第一步要学就是扭“心型”。我花了几个小时才扭出9个不像样的“心型”，炳卫大哥看在眼里，心里想，这块“朽木”可真难雕也！

铭礼看我兴致勃勃的样子，送了小天使心给我，还不惜花钱买铁线和钳子给我练习。工欲善其事，必先利其器，再勤于练习，一定可以扭出动人的模型。

我不会辜负铭礼对我的期望，相信美丽动人的“天使心”很快就呈现在你眼前了。

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水果篮

去美门参障中心好像成了我的日常生活之一。今天下午照常到美门中心探望朋友，碰巧今天也是Uncle Chui Mooi的鸡饭档开张大好日子，我们几个人包括Tommy、Thomas、亚妹、铭礼、坤诚和我相约到蒲种，给Uncle Chui Mooi 一个惊喜。

我们到SS2买了一个水果篮后就驱车前往目的地。 当大家去到档口时，发现档口干干净净的，Uncle Chui Mooi也不见踪影。 顿时，大家都觉得很奇怪，Thomas 立刻拨了一个电话给Uncle Chui Mooi问个究竟。

Thomas告知，原来Uncle Chui Mooi 还没开始营业。是谁放的假消息，害我们扑了一场空，摆了一个大乌龙！我捧着重重的水果篮，哭笑不得，只好叫他们拿回去，好好享用吧！

大家本想可以吃免费的鸡饭，就是人算不如天算，最后还是自己掏腰包喂饱自己的五脏六腑。原来有“私心”的人，上天是不会给他们得逞的，哈哈！

昨晚与美门的朋友外出，到KLCC看戏吃饭。人潮很多，戏院爆满，所以戏看不成，就去吃饭。

他时常到KLCC看戏，看惯了人群的“特殊”眼神，而我倒觉得很不舒服，很不自在。

问他感受，他说习惯了，都以平常心看待。心胸豁达的态度值得我去学习。

我们家常便话，谈谈各自的梦想。

我的梦想？

是一个很小很小的梦想——为弱势朋友服务，当一个称责的义工。

我很乐意为人献爱、付出、关怀，所谓爱心泛滥，但就是因钱财不足，有心无力。往往事不成，徒劳无功。

他说：你只一味着付出，用错方法和管道，当然徒劳无功啦！当事情搞不成时，必定把责任往身上扛，挫败的感

觉就涌上心头，滋味也不好受。

我告诉他，如果机会来到而不捉紧，让它溜掉的话，会不会很可惜呀？

他说：如果你本身还没装备好，信心不足下，当机会来到你面前，也不会把机会掌握好，白白浪费而已。

机会不是可遇不可求吗？错失了就后悔莫及，我反驳说。

他却说：机会是给那些信心满满、做好装备的人，宛如一个做好充分准备，等待出击的士兵。装备是让我们达成目的的必备资源。

做好装备的人是不怕没有机会的，所以要学习等待。不是每个机会都适合自己，强求是不会有好结果的。

让我们等待一个属于自己、适合自己的机会，然后把机会发挥得淋漓尽致。

今年的圣诞，虽然没有情人的陪伴，但是总算不孤单。
非常感谢旖雯特选圣诞节，与HeapHope的成员一起韩国餐聚会。
这也是我生平第一次吃韩国餐，感觉特别的新鲜。
更高兴的是有幸邀请到我们Lynn小姐一起出席这个聚会。

当我们开车来到韩国餐厅，看到Daorae BBQ Restorant在2楼时。。。
心想，这次应该是上不到了。
我相信我们的“主办当局”更是吓了一跳吧？（她责任重大）
但是，老天爷的眷顾，那里原来是有电梯的。
还蛮不错的，三层楼的店屋竟装有电梯。

我们平安顺利的来到了韩国。。。（哈哈！我在幻想而已）
桌上放着又粗又大的水龙头。（其实是用的BBQ的工具）
原来，不只是我一个人没有用过韩国餐。:P

到了大家分享未来展望时，Michelle妈妈的一番话语让我有很深感触。
她看到了我们可以那样的开心，对她而言真是难得一见吧？
如果下次有机会，我非常希望义工朋友都可以带他们父母一起出来。
让他们知道自己儿女的“所做所为”。（可不是胡作非为。。。哈哈）

不懂大家有没有留意到，我最近很多活动都没有带佣人一起？
因为我已经很放心的把HeapHope的成员当成了我的佣人。（哈哈，开玩笑而已）
其实是想给自己，也想给别人一个机会。
给自己学习如何让别人来协助我；也给别人一个协助我的机会。
这样，我才可以不必跟姐姐成为“连体婴”。

因为有了HeapHope这班热心的朋友，我真的改变了不少。
你们给了我很多机会做出不一样的尝试。
我的圣诞，我不孤单。因为有HeapHope。
给你们一个爱的鼓励。。。你们是最棒的！

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又是一个寂寞的夜晚。
趁着傍晚时分，与姐姐去外面走走吹吹风。
只是想解除那闷气，回到家里闷气又跟着回来了。
不想整天面对电脑，可是依然要明天对着电脑。

在我们走着回来时，我姐姐看到对面家有个女孩坐在轮椅上。。。
就好奇的说，对面也有人是坐轮椅的。
其实，在这之前我已经跟那个女孩的妈妈聊天过了。
只是未曾看过她的残障女儿。
于是，我便说，要不要过去看看，跟他们打招呼一下。

有个理发师在帮着那残障女孩剪头发。
听她父母说，医生说她是自闭症。。。
看她一副不理人的样子，很自我的在那边动来动去。
不懂得说话，应该也不懂得我们讲什么。
虽然16岁了，但是，只有1-2岁小孩的智商吧！

每次看到她妈妈，都会吐出许多的心声。当中带些无奈和辛酸。
我完全可以感受到一个残障孩子的妈妈的那种辛苦。
残障孩子的父母，除了需要辛苦的照顾他们孩子外，出外还要面对别人异样的眼光。
还有一个最常见的是，残障孩子的父母总是喜欢拿别的残障来做比较。
其实，我父母也是如此的。以前他们总是说别人可以怎样怎样，我们却不能。
但是，听到那父母无奈的心声，我也觉得无能为力，唯有做一个最佳的听众。

对于智商问题的残障孩子，我还是不太了解他们的状况。
所以，我也不便给于他们任何的意见。
我会先向他人询问看看，如何才能帮到他们，再把信息传给她父母吧！
真的很希望看到那女孩的父母快乐起来，不必再为其残障孩子而担忧。

今天早上，我和往常一样又陪姐姐去巴杀买菜。
来到巴杀，我姐姐就去选菜，而我跟在后头。
当我姐姐停在一个走廊选着菜时。。。
老板娘就很不客气的说：“小姐，你们出来好吗？我们要做生意的。。。”。
我听到了，非常的不爽。
眼看我姐姐把菜放下，顺着她意，离开了她的摊位。

难道，我们就不配当一个消费者？我们不是您的顾客？
我们又不是跟你讨菜，一样有付你钱的咧！
对，我们的轮椅的确有一点阻碍您的地方。。。

我很不开心的走开了。。。
而我姐姐唯有到别的菜摊去买菜。
而我就自个走了出来。

我来到了一个卖花的档口。。。
两夫妇都非常的友善，还叫我们要多出来走走。
我们每次到巴杀，都会过去与他们打招呼，聊几句的。

过后，我们就去找看看有什么早餐吃。
遇到了认识美门的安娣安哥在卖面包。
有一位安娣还说曾在报纸上看过我们，说我们很独立。
然后还送我们面包吃。

有时候，真的不懂该不该接受那些人的好意。。。
社会人士如何看待我们？
残障人士又带给社会人士什么样的一个印象呢？
很欣赏那位卖花安哥的说法，他说他只会以平常心去看待我们。

幸好，不是所有社会人士都好像那卖菜的老板娘一样。
因为，我们一样有尊严，一样需要生活。
我们只是行动上的不便，有何过错？

今天与一位朋友谈到人际关系。
她很好奇的问我究竟是如何与那些义工保持友好关系的呢？
其实，我从不认为我的人际关系好到哪里去。。。因为我是属于文静的人。
只是，最近都有认识到一些义工，从而与他们慢慢建立了友情。
朋友说，她每次和那些义工都好像没有什么话谈似的。
却羡慕我能认识那么多义工，而且和他们又好似很好谈似的。
嗯。。。我觉得我的人际关系慢慢的跨大了。

就好比今天，一位义工朋友注册结婚，在美门有个聚餐会。
许多都是我所认识及认识我的朋友。所以，都不会孤单寂寞。
参加《阳光天使》及《饥饿三十》的确让我受益良多。
从这两个活动，我有机会认识及接触那些义工朋友。

今天从一位义工朋友口中知道，原来他也是有在看我写的东西的。
那我更应该多多上来写我的心情了。呵呵！

原本打算这个星期六不参加“HEAP HOPE ANGELS”的义工培训了。
因为这天我姐姐需要去The Summit那边摆档。
所以，就打算参加当天的残障人士歌唱比赛。

告诉Serena后，她问我不能去的原因是什么。
哈哈，第一，不想麻烦他们特地过来载我。
然后，义工培训完我姐姐在Summit那边。。。
但是，她非常的希望我可以出席，为我安排交通等等。
既然那样，我就可以出席了。

至于歌唱比赛，原本打算去了义工培训，就不想参加了。
哈哈，原来不参加会被人杀掉。。。怕怕！:P
看来只好成全他们了。因为我不希望给别人失望。
这会不会也是我的弱点？

Overview

• Around 10 per cent of the world’s population, or 650 million people, live with a disability. They are the world’s largest minority.
• This figure is increasing through population growth, medical advances and the ageing process, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
• In countries with life expectancies over 70 years, individuals spend on average about 8 years, or 11.5 per cent of their life span, living with disabilities.
• Eighty per cent of persons with disabilities live in developing countries, according to the UN Development Programme (UNDP).
• Disability rates are significantly higher among groups with lower educational attainment in the countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), says the OECD Secretariat. On average, 19 per cent of less educated people have disabilities, compared to 11 per cent among the better educated.
• In most OECD countries, women report higher incidents of disability than men.
  The World Bank estimates that 20 per cent of the world’s poorest people have some kind of disability, and tend to be regarded in their own communities as the most disadvantaged.
• Women with disabilities are recognized to be multiply disadvantaged, experiencing exclusion on account of their gender and their disability.
• Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to abuse. A small 2004 survey in Orissa, India, found that virtually all of the women and girls with disabilities were beaten at home, 25 per cent of women with intellectual disabilities had been raped and 6 per cent of women with disabilities had been forcibly sterilized.
• According to UNICEF, 30 per cent of street youths have some kind of disability.
• Mortality for children with disabilities may be as high as 80 per cent in countries where under-five mortality as a whole has decreased below 20 per cent, says the United Kingdom’s Department for International Development, adding that in some cases it seems as if children are being “weeded out”.
  Comparative studies on disability legislation shows that only 45 countries have anti-discrimination and other disability-specific laws.
• In the United Kingdom, 75 per cent of the companies of the FTSE 100 Index on the London Stock Exchange do not meet basic levels of web accessibility, thus missing out on more than $147 million in revenue.

Education

• Ninety per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school, says UNESCO.
• The global literacy rate for adults with disabilities is as low as 3 per cent, and 1 per cent for women with disabilities, according to a 1998 UNDP study.
• In the OECD countries, students with disabilities in higher education remain under-represented, although their numbers are on the increase, says the OECD.

Employment

• An estimated 386 million of the world’s working-age people have some kind of disability, says the International Labour Organization (ILO). Unemployment among the persons with disabilities is as high as 80 per cent in some countries. Often employers assume that persons with disabilities are unable to work.
• Even though persons with disabilities constitute a significant 5 to 6 per cent of India’s population, their employment needs remain unmet, says a study by India’s National Centre for Promotion of Employment for Disabled People, in spite of the “People with Disabilities” Act, which reserves for them 3 per cent of government jobs. Of the some 70 million persons with disabilities in India, only about 100,000 have succeeded in obtaining employment in industry.
• A 2004 United States survey found that only 35 per cent of working-age persons with disabilities are in fact working, compared to 78 per cent of those without disabilities. Two-thirds of the unemployed respondents with disabilities said they would like to work but could not find jobs.
• A 2003 study by Rutgers University found that people with physical and mental disabilities continue to be vastly underrepresented in the U.S. workplace. One-third of the employers surveyed said that persons with disabilities cannot effectively perform the required job tasks. The second most common reason given for not hiring persons with disabilities was the fear of costly special facilities.
• A U.S. survey of employers conducted in 2003 found that the cost of accommodations was only $500 or less; 73 per cent of employers reported that their employees did not require special facilities at all.
• Companies report that employees with disabilities have better retention rates, reducing the high cost of turnover, says a 2002 U.S. study. Other American surveys reveal that after one year of employment, the retention rate of persons with disabilities is 85 per cent.
• Thousands of persons with disabilities have been successful as small business owners, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. The 1990 national census revealed that persons with disabilities have a higher rate of self-employment and small business experience (12.2 per cent) than persons without disabilities (7.8 per cent).

Violence

• For every child killed in warfare, three are injured and acquire a permanent form of disability.
  In some countries, up to a quarter of disabilities result from injuries and violence, says WHO.
• Persons with disabilities are more likely to be victims of violence or rape, according to a 2004 British study, and less likely to obtain police intervention, legal protection or preventive care.
• Research indicates that violence against children with disabilities occurs at annual rates at least 1.7 times greater than for their peers without disabilities.

Source : United Nation

Say Leng 因为要搬家，所以不能出席今天的会议。

会议进行到一半时，我接到他的电话，说他需要一些志工的帮忙，会议结束后，我们几个志工一并到他的新家去。到了Say Leng的家，大部分的东西都整理好了，只剩下那两张原本被拆开的床还没装好。花了一些时间，几个男生七手八脚地终于把床装好……

我们经常在生活上会遇到一些小难题，这些难题对肢体健全的人来说可能不起眼，但是对残障朋友来说可能是一种挑战。这个时候，介助人和志工就扮演一个重要的角色–协助残障人士解决生活上的难题。

It was Lynn’s b’day on 28th Sept. As a gesture of friendship, Serena and I went for the K-session that a bunch of Lynn’s good friend had organized for her a day before.

It would have been just about any other gathering for a b’day girl, but this time, it was rather unique. Lynn and about half of the people who turned up are disabled friends.

I was observing how the group of disabled frenz and volunteers actually mingled around and this is what I saw.

I saw how the volunteers went around helping the under-privileged frenz adjust their sitting posture every now and then, I saw them wiping away the remains of food on their mouth after they were fed (by the volunteers too), but most important of all, I saw the pure heart to want to give selflessly and to just brighten up the days of a few disabled frenz.

Also, I saw how our disabled frenz actually went about singing, K-ing and happily playing the arcade games just like normal people, I saw how their faces beamed with joy and excitement despite their disabilities, but most importantly, I saw how this group of marvelous friends can accept their fate and move on very positively in their lives.

And through all the events happening around me, I too saw some of the sad truth about how some friends was actually placed in the same situation as the disable friends as mentioned, yet could not face the reality as well as them.

I have a disabled friend who got paralysed from waist down due to a fatal accident overseas 5 years ago. Back then, judging from his condition, doctor already proclaimed he probably had only 1 month left, and even if he should wake up, he would have been a vegetable.

But he proved everyone wrong and surprised even his parents by not only gaining consciousness after 2 months, but also able to speak (although his speech is seriously impaired by the accident) and go about his daily life independently.

However, instead of counting his blessings, he actually plunged himself into an abyss of blaming his destiny for what had become of him. He was with BG for close to a year, yet he still could not pick himself up from where he was 5 years ago, no matter how hard the volunteers had tried to encourage him.

My initial compassion for him actually turned into an immense feeling of wanting to motivate him by bombarding him sternly how lucky he was that he is having so many people who are so concerned about him. Yet, from the last time I had a chat with him via phone, I could still sense he was still very much on the pessimistic side ever since returning to his hometown 2 years ago.

As such, I personally feel that for those like Say Leng (our DoSomething web master), who not only has a positive mindset about what he wants to achieve in his life, but also stretches himself to motivate his friends like Lynn (he was the one who initiated the K-gathering for Lynn coz he knew it was Lynn’s dream to wanna expand her network of friends and contacts in pursuing her own dreams), it takes great courage and acceptance to be where he is today, in terms of his outlook on life.

So Say Leng, Lynn and my other disabled friends, KuDos to all of you for inspiring others with your great, exemplary example!!

To Lynn, once again– many happy returns of the same day as your b’day!!