Disneyland here we come!

Day 5 - A fun day at Disneyland

Since it was Sunday and the whole day was free for all of us, Mr. Sasaki took us to Disneyland! It was a place I have been dreaming to go and it really came true. We had to wear thicker jacket that day as we would be out the whole day as the air was much cooler.

After breakfast at the café, all of us got ready and waited for the bus. Mr. Hee went along with us that day together with a group of school boys as our helpers. The journey to Disneyland took about 1 hour. When we reach there I saw there were a lot of people queuing up to buy tickets to go in. We joined in to buy ours as well. All disabled have a special pass to go in. The passes were if there was long queue for some games that we wanted play or go in, we could get in without waiting for the long queue.

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A great experience

What a tiring day I had, but it was fun though? It was a real experience facing with a large crowd during my speech. I was proud of myself that I could speak so well without feeling nerves or frighten.

Farewell dinner

Before we depart for the evening (the group) took us for a farewell dinner at Tokyo Dome Hotel. It was very near our YMCA Hotel, but the bus driver lost his way and drove us round and round. The journey back our hotel already took more than one hour, what more the driver lost the way? I was very tired while I was in the bus that I fell asleep. I near didn’t want to follow them to dinner. The bus stopped at the hotel and drop off few disabled and helpers as they were too tired to join us. I nearly went down with them but something stopped me.

Thank God I joined them because when I saw the 5 Star Hotel I was so amazed. It was so beautiful with fountain behind a glass and the hotel was very big. We were all taken the dinner table with many dim lights. It would be romantic for couples who have their dinner there.

Ms. Eiko and Mr. Hee joined us that night. They sat with us at our table but they were not interested in making conversation with me. When I asked them certain things, they will answer. They didn’t bother to ask me any questions. Did they think I was mentally disabled? They were only interesting in talking to mum. Mum told them the stories about us (Julie and I). They served seafood. Despite of my allergy, I couldn’t resist having some of food as it looks so delicious. After dinner since I felt too bored I went over Non’s table and talked to them.

Non and I have some sort of a brother and sister bound during that whole week. I really like him as he is so cute and smart. Whenever I was not around he will kept asking for me. When I think of him now, I really miss him.

After dinner and saying farewell to everyone that night we took more than 5mins walk back to our hotel. It drizzled when the time we walked back, but luckily few of them had one or two umbrellas

Party on!!!

We had a group photo and there were many camera men taking photos at every corner. I felt so funny with so many people in front of us taking video and photos. As if we were like famous people and for once I felt really good.

It was good that the seminar lasted only half a day instead of the whole day. All of us adjourned to the cafeteria where we had a tea party. You could never imagine how the noise was at the cafeteria that evening? The crowd was much bigger than lunch time. Everyone was talking, laughing, shouting and having fun. All of them were having such wonderful time together. When I saw them, I wish the party doesn’t have to end.

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No butterfly in the stomach

Luckily when I came into the hall it was just in time for my presentation. Ai Na gave a short presentation before she introduced me to everyone. I gave a very nice and short speech together with Ms. Eiko, my translator. Thank God at that moment, I didn’t have butterfly in my stomach or else I would be having difficulty in speaking. I spoke very slow and as Ms. Eiko needed to translate English to Japanese. I did not look up at the audience, if I did, I would be more nervous and I don’t think I could even speak. So what I did was concentrated on my paper.

I shared with them my feeling, desire and dream of having a motorized wheelchair. My dream came true because of them. I could move around very easier in the Complex where I’m working. I was very grateful to all of them. And they would repair more motorized wheelchair for my other disabled friends who need wheelchair like mine. My speech lasted about 10mins. I was so relief and happy that I spoke very well and everyone understood how I felt.

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What a great and interesting experience

The seminal started around 1pm and Ms. Tasaki was the Master of Ceremony of that afternoon. She began with few speeches later presentation of few wheelchairs to the other countries. After the presentation, there was a video clips’ of the boys who went to Thailand and few other poor countries to repair wheelchairs and donated to other countries as well. The boys shared about their experience in the poorer countries. They showed more activities in Thailand and how the boys learnt some of language and dances too. It was touching to see their interview as many of them cried when talk about their experience but sadly I don’t understand what they were saying.

After the video chips, there was a short break, so they took me for a rest as my back was killing me. Do you know they put me to rest? Since they couldn’t find me a place, they put onto a long table to stretch my body. It was like an operating table. A kind Japanese lady stayed with me. I rested only about 10mins. Each country presented a short speech about how they feel about the wheelchair they received. I didn’t get to watch the presentation, as out for a rest.

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My prince charming

Kurosaka, my handsome prince came to our table, I gave him a gift together with Keino’s gift as he couldn’t attend the seminar. I try talking to Kurosaka but English was a barrier between us, very few Japanese could speak English. What we did was smile to each other. I felt quite sad that we couldn't make any conversation.

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A very big technical high school

It took us more than an hour before reaching Ohmori Technical High School. When we arrived there, I was so amazed to see such a big school. All the students and friends from Prudential Insurants Company came to help us. We were taken for lunch at their cafeteria. There were a lot of people queuing for food. Wow! You cannot imagine the noisy at that moment. I was so absorbed watching all the people that I hardly ate my lunch. But mum kept pushing me to eat, if not I still be watching the people who came in.

After one hour in the cafeteria, I went to the rest room before adjourning to the seminar hall. I was so glad the whole morning I didn’t think of my speech or have butterfly in my stomach, only that I was slightly nervous when I entered the hall and saw so many people started coming into the hall and few video cameras. I met many people there including my charming guy. I was so happy upon seeing him. Later few of the Japanese friends showed me the newspaper, I surprised to see myself appeared in it together with the boys at Tochigi High School.

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An important day

Day 4 – 4th Oct 03 – Seminar Day at Ohmori Technical High School

It was D-day for the seminar. That morning when we arrived for breakfast at the café, Ai Na introduced me to a few people, who will be helping me during the seminar. One of them was Mr. Hee, a mid 20's guy from Sabah who is studying there, Ms. Eiko, my translator from Prudential Insurants Company and another camera lady who were from the same Company too. We got to know each other briefly during breakfast, but I didn’t talk to them that much.

The Korean group, who didn’t follow us earlier that few days, went to some other places. But on the seminar day,all of them gathered together with us at the lobby and waited for the bus to pick us up to the seminar. I tried to converse with the Korean group, but all of couldn't speak English at all.

The bus arrived around 10am. It was really difficult for all of us on the wheelchair to get into the bus because it was very high and the steps were very steep. The Korean managed to carry their disabled friends, but when it came to me, it was slightly hard but luckily Mr. Hee was with us, so he carried me.

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Butterfly calling

Back at YMCA Hotel

We reached at the hotel before 8pm and we had the whole evening to ourselves as there were no more activities that night. We went to our room and rest for a while before I asked mum to push me downstairs as there was an Internet access at the lobby where everyone can check their email for free. Since I have nothing much to do that evening I checked my email.

Suddenly I heard a voice calling me, in the beginning I didn’t care because when I turned around I saw no one. But the voice called me again, I realized then it was Mr. Sasaki standing on first floor. He invited me to join them at the café (they had a meeting earlier about the coming seminar), so I follow him up and saw the some other people that I didn’t recognize. Mr. Sasaki asked mum to join us so mum came down. Little did mum knew that few other friends were there too. Mr. Sasaki was kind enough to lend us his mobile phone to call home. We talked to dad and Julie for a while and were glad everything was alright at home.

After our phone call, we went back to our room. Later that night Ai Na came to our room and give me some briefing on the seminar for the next day. I was to give a speech during the seminar and when she (Ai Na) told me that there were about 200 people attending. Suddenly I got butterfly in my stomach! She even told I have a lady translator and few helpers to help me.

Anyhow, I didn’t want to think too much for that night as I was very tired. What I did was to pray for courage to speak well for the next day. Even before mum switched off the lights, I was already in dreamland!

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Ladies with Kimono suites

There was another back lane connected to the Temple. Mr. Noguchi took us to see the shops there and we bought some of the things. It was dinner time then when Mr. Noguchi and Mr. Nishino took us to a famous restaurant not far from the Temple. The restaurant was upstairs, so they pushed us up by a ramp. There were shops downstairs. It was quite small restaurant, with only a few tables. We were the only guess there and we took 2 tables. That was the first time I saw few waitress dress Kimono. They were very polite when serving us.

It got dark very early in Japan, as sun goes down even before 6pm. It was very nice experience waking along and across the street without any barrier. When we walked across the road, together with other Japanese at the zebra crossing, many cars stopped. It was really beautiful at nights with all the lights and the air was so cold. We went to a nearby shopping mall and catch a taxi back to YMCA Hotel

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Me and thousands of pigeons!

At one side I saw there were many pigeons and some visitors were feeding the birds. Ai Na pushed me to the middle where I could see the pigeons were. With much surprise, some came near me and onto my lap. Wow! Less than seconds all of them (nearly hundred) came attacking me. At that moment, I didn’t know what to do except to screamed, as so many of them were on my whole body and even on the ground.

Later I found out a man was throwing peanuts on my body that was why all the pigeons came. I did nothing but sat there and kept my eyes close and scream. I didn’t even bother whether people were starting at me. The birds left few screeches on my arms. It was really fun but frightening. Luckily my heart didn’t stop, only that my whole body was stiff due to the excitement. What an experience?

Later the man threw some peanuts onto Non and the pigeons came, but he was too frighten so the man stop throwing and the pigeons went away. It was quite fun watching all the pigeons gathered around you, but when they are on our body it felt so irrie.

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Temple of Goddess of Mercy

It was around 4pm then, Mr. Noguchi and Mr. Nishino took us for a tour to the round the town since it was our free time. We went into the Temple of Goddess of Mercy. The road into the Temple was very long and along both sides there were lots of stalls selling all sorts of souvenirs like our “Pasar Malam” here. Mum and I only went to few of stalls before we continue walking. All the things were very expensive so we couldn't buy many things. Non and others went to the other side. The road in to the Temple was too long for us to continue so we stopped at one corner.

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Back to Angkasa train station

After lunch, one of their staff dropped us at the train station. We waited for the last train back to Angkasa. The journey back was much longer than we came. I doff off while we were in the train as I was very tired, but I still knew the train stopped at few station to allowed people to get in and out. It seems like a never ending journey and that we could not reach our destination. But at last we arrived.

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An interesting morning with the boys

Non, his dad and the lady social worker didn’t follow us as Non was taking a short nap so they took take care of him. After our tour round the school and workshop, all of us went back to the room where the boys said goodbye. By then it was lunch time, we ate with the principal and some members of the board.

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The place "Suki" was born....

Later, they (the students together with principal and other members of the board) took me and others round their school and see the place where they repaired my “Suki”. A student offered to wheel me round the school and followed behind were the other students. Wow! I was like a princess and I felt so wonderful being taken round with all my body guards

The morning was so fresh and cold. Since I could not communicate with the boys, I just enjoyed fresh air and a teacher showed me their school. There were many cameramen following us and taking photos.

They brought me and others into their workshop where there were many wheelchairs being repaired and others were ready to be taken to other countries. I even went to the place where my “Suki” being created, repaired and made. I couldn't believe myself until I saw with my own eyes where the place they made my “Suki” The workshop was big. Some ladies (members of the board) followed us too.

Not far from the workshop, there were some boys repairing unsed wheelchair. We watched them for a while before we left. It was really good for these boys to do something useful such as repairing wheelchair rather than doing something bad like eg: criminal, steeling etc.

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With the students at Tochigi High

Before we knew it, the bus arrived to pick us up. It took about half and hour before reaching the school. Upon arriving, we were greeted by the teachers and students, the principal the school board. I was surprised to see my photos together with “Suki” which was taken in my office few years back was hung up in on the board in front of their school. As a custom, all of us had to take out our shoes and wear their slippers before going into the school.

We were all gathered in a room where every where they introduced their students aged 16 to 18 who were in their uniform (black and white). They showed us a video clip of the students repairing wheelchairs in Thailand. The students had been to Thailand for more than 15 times.

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Autumn morning

Day 3 – 3rd Oct 03 – Visit to Tochigi High School

We woke up early that morning as we had to go down for breakfast before we adjourned to visit Tochigi High School. Since it was still early and the bus has not arrived, Mr. Noguchi took us all for a walk to see the nearby houses. There were few shops selling cookies and sweets. We went into one of the shops’ and mum bought few things, so did the Thai ladies. Nearby the shops', there was long, beautiful lake, we took a walk round the lake and saw many fishes swimming. It was really nice taking a morning fresh air and admiring the scenery.

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Back to the hotel

We went back to Koiyasu Hotel and there again mum and I struggle with the toilet was as it was as narrow as YMCA Hotel, the only different angle and position. I believe all the hotels were the same. That night I could not sleep much because the aircorn in our room was not work so we opened the window for the air to get in, yet I couldn't sleep.

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An evening I will never forget

Party at Oben Restaurant

Few ladies were waiting for us outside the restaurant and when we arrived. I release something very unique about the Japanese people was that they very were punctual in attending every occasion eg: diners, parties, meeting etc, even the arrival of taxis, trains and buses. How nice it would be if we Malaysian could follow Japanese ways? I had a very pleasant feeling to see so many people welcome us and I special happy to see my friend Keino (he was the guy who came to repair my Suki during his honeymoon in Penang 2 years back).

The handsome guy which I met twice that day also attend the dinner. At last I remembered his name after seeing the third time. Kurosaka was his name! There were 2 tables, one for us together with all the guys. They were all the ex-students of Tochigi High School who repaired my “Suki”. On another table were the teachers’, headmasters, principal etc.

We had buffet that night. It was really nice as I got the chance to sit beside Keino and Kurosaka and many other guys. I was very touched when I knew that Keino took the time out to see me and have dinner with us despite his busy schedule of moving his apartment. In spite of our language barrier, I enjoyed my time with them. I tried my best to talk and understand them with the help from Ai Na. There was a lot of food being served that night but I ate very little, but mum was enjoying it. I was surprised to see the beer was served in a huge, fat glass. I never seen it before as I thought it would be in smaller glasses as ours. Before our dinner ends, we toasted for good friendship.

There were many speeches being made by the principal, head of the Tochigi High School and other members. Since there were many people, they presented us (Non and I) with many gift and we exchanged back with them. It was really an enjoyable and memorable party I ever went. I didn’t want to forget that night and I hope it will stay in my mind for sometime. And of course I met my handsome, tall and charming guy – Kurosaka!

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A night Koiyasu Hotel

The hotel we stayed in was called Koiyasu Hotel. We had to go by the back door as there was a ramp and easier for us into the hotel. At that time it was already evening and everyone was tired. In less than 2 hours, we had to adjourn to a dinner party at Oben Restaurant. Two Taxis came to fetch us, before I knew it we had arrive at the Restaurant.

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A big department

Two taxis came to fetch us to City Council of Social Welfare. We arrived there less then 10mins. I was amazed that it was such a big building and inside was many departments. We straight went into the meeting room, there again I met my handsome, young guy. I was so happy to see him there. He and his friend (who picked us up at the train station) joined us for the meeting. I don’t understand what the discussion was all in Japanese. Ai Na didn't translate much to me as she was concentrating on the meeting. At that time, I felt quite sleepy and didn't know they was talking about.

After the meeting, the people took us for a tour round the place and I was really amazed to see it was such a big department with many rooms eg: a big physiotherapy room with many facilities, a day care room for the children, office departments and many other rooms. The whole place was equip with big disabled toilets, railing all over the place.

There was a small van which was renovated for wheelchairs to get in just by pushing them into the van. But only one wheelchair could get into the van. Since our hotel was very near to the City Council, the people at the Council drove Non and I back, only that we had to wait for our turn as the van could only load on wheelchair.

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Beautiful handwork

After lunch, they took us together with the Thai group to their craftwork room where few of the teachers’ and students taught us some craftwork. It was really interesting and fun to learn their work. It took us nearly 2 hours before finishing it. There was a young, handsome Japanese reporter asking me few questions’ about my motorized wheelchair and other things. I tired to answer his questions as best as I could, but felt my answer wasn't accurate.

As we finished our craftwork, I did not realize that we could bring home the work that we had done until later that day when they passed our work to us.

It was time to say goodbye to everyone, as we had to adjourn to another place. But before we left, I went to the rest room. I was surprised to see their disabled toilet was so big and clean with railings by the side. Though all the children in the school could walk, yet they built such a toilet. I was really amazed with it. I had a very pleasant time with all the students as they made us so homely.

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Lunch with our mentally disabled friends

A big bus was waiting to take us to a school for the mentally disabled friends and the pretty lady followed us. It was especially hard for me to get into the bus as it was high and narrow. 2 to 3 people had to carry me. The journey to the school took more than 15mins, we had to go through a paddy field before reaching the school.

It was lunchtime, when we reach their school and we were invited for lunch with the children. Before entering, each of us (except me and Non) had to take off our shoes as it was the custom in the school. But the nicest thing was, there was slippers’ place ready for all of us. it was not for us but everyone who come to their school

All the children were already waiting for us, as we were slightly late. The young lady who followed us turned out to be one of the teacher’s in their school. When we arrived, the principal, teachers and other staff greeted us. We were separated with the Thai group we went into a classroom to have lunch with the children. One of the teachers’ introduced us to the children when we enter the classroom. I was quite surprised to see all of them (about 12 of children aged between 16 to 18) behave themselves very well. All of us sat in a circle with desk and chairs. It was really nice being with them. I notice that they were very discipline as after lunch, they washed and clean up themselves.

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Warm welcome

We took an hours train before reaching Tochigi city. It was my first time sitting in a modern express train. It was very disabled friendly as when we reached there a guard was waiting for us with a white plank and when the train arrived he pushed us in without lifting us up. The plank was level with the train. You see, it was so easy! The train traveled very smoothly, but it stopped about 5 to 6 stations to let people get in and out. While in the train, we passed paddy fields, houses etc. Every 10 to 15mins, we stopped at different station.

At last when we arrived at Tochigi train station and we were greeted by 2 young men and a young lady. At the very first glance was on the tall, handsome guy. I immediate knew him so I smiled and greeted him, but since I didn’t know the other 2 persons. What I did was smile and bow to them (This tall guy came out to Penang last year together with Mr. Sasaki’s group to donate one motorized wheelchair and repair our wheelchairs which was not working well).

At that moment, I couldn't remember his name as I only saw him once last year. I was very happy to see him again that morning as he took the time off to welcome us to Tochigi. Another guy who was with him never came to Penang before, so it was the first time I met him. Together with them was a young, pretty, pleasant and smiling lady. All of them introduced themselves but there I couldn’t remember their names as it was too noisy at the station.

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A unique experience

Day 2 -2nd Oct 03 – YMCA Hotel Going To Tochigi City

I had a goodnight sleep as I was very tired. This day would be anther exciting day as we were going to another city called Tochigi and spent a night. Since mum and I did not hear clearly that we were only spending a night there, we packed more clothes. After breakfast that morning, we got ready as we were to catch a train to Tochigi city. From YMCA hotel, we took 2 taxis to the Angkasa train station. It was around the city.

When we arrived at the Angkasa train station, there was a shopping complex beside it. There were many Japanese people around the place and before going up to the station, there were 2 escalator at the both sides of a big staircase. I thought to myself, “how do we (Non and I on the wheelchair) go up” and before I knew it, there were 2 Japanese guards’ in their uniform got a steel plank ready to bring us up the escalator. They stop the escalator and pushed me up a steel plank.

When the escalator started moving, one of the guard’s was holding my wheelchair from behind and another in front of me. It was my very first experience going up the escalator in such a unique way. I have never imagined it would be so safe. When we arrived at the top of the stairs, Ai Na showed me (beside the escalator) there was a button to call for the guard. This is a very good and interesting idea that Malaysia should lay down this law.

We did not know that we had to travel from one place to another so mum brought 2 heavy bags and it was the heaviest of all. The rest of them only carried one bag pack, but we had two. Can you imagine how embracing we were to let others carry our heavy bags?

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An evening with the students

At 5.30pm, we had an Orientation at our hotel. I had only a short time to rest and Mum didn’t even had any rest, she took a bath before we adjourned to the second floor to meet. Since we were the last to enter to room, I was shock to see the conference room was full of people. I didn’t expect that there would be so many people attending the meeting together with the Korean and Thai group and our group from Malaysia.

There were students and many important people gathered round a big table. After we arrived, few Japanese men introduced each one of us to everyone and share with us the programmers for the whole week. Ai Na translated to us so that we don’t miss out on anything. The meeting lasted only about 15mins then we adjourned to dinner. It was so fun at the dinner room as there were many people gathered together. The Koreans had separated to 2 groups. There were had 9 people altogether, 3 disabled friends on the wheelchairs and their helpers and translators.

We had buffet that evening, a lot of food and drinks were served to us. There was beer (drinks) too. It was funny when I took 1 glass, Ai Na was so surprised to know I drink. I felt quite bored that evening because I don’t know all the people there and I couldn't converse with anyone of them. I was asked to sit with the students but none of them speak English so I went back to my table where our Thai friends were sitting. At least I felt comfortable when I was with them as they knew some English and we could converse. After dinner, we were introduced to some volunteers who are helping us during the seminar day. They were very kind and polite as they kept on bowing to us and we bowed back at them.

After dinner all of us went back to our rooms. I was disappointed to see the toilet as it was so narrow that even my small wheelchair couldn't enter the toilet door. There was also steep step before getting into the toilet. Anyhow, mum and I struggled our way thru it and we pray for God’s help with my toileting and washing up. I have never seen such a narrow toilet before.

After washing up, I dropped dead on the bed as my whole body was killing me at due to sitting to the whole day. I had an interesting first day touring the town and seeing different people, culture and languages.

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A lovely amusement park

After lunch, we continue our walk around the town and very near the café where we had lunch was Tokyo Dome (a recreation park for children). The park wasn't a big, but there were quite a number of people there, mostly young people and children. I didn't go in except I watched it from out side.

At that time, my body was already “calling for help”, Ai Na, mum and I went across an indoor Centre (which was quite big) where there were many adults resting. At one corner I saw there were 2 connecting chairs and took the oppotunitely to lie down. I didn't bother if people were looking or staring at me.

To me surprised, none of them did. After helping me to lie down, Ai Na went for a walk round and made few phone calls. There were benches not far me, some Japanese men and women were resting and smoking cigarettes. I rested about 10 to 15 mins before getting up. Since we could not find Ai Na, mum helped me up alone from the chair. A kind Japanese lady who was sitting not far me (smoking her cigarette) came and gives a helping hand to get me up unto my wheelchair.

Later we went back to Tokyo Dome to find the others’ and saw they brought Non down from some steps. They went to see some things which I don’t really don't know what it was.

Tokyo Dome was just like our Theme Park in Sunway Loogoon in Kuala Lumpur, only that it was a smaller park. While walking back, we saw a big rollercoaster and we could hear young people screaming from the top while the rollercoaster was coming down very fast. We continue our walk back to YMCA, though it was afternoon and the sun was shinning it was not hot at all, in fact it was really breeze and cooling. I had never felt such nice weather before in my entire.

Since it's not 3pm yet and our hotel rooms wasn't ready for us, we stopped at Starbuck Coffee House for a drink. Even the week programmers haven’t started I already have such a good time. We chatted all the time while waiting for our drinks to arrive. After our short drink, we walked back to YMCA Hotel. At that time, it was nearly 5pm already and I couldn't wait to jump into the hotel bed as my back was killing me.

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