My activities in KL

This was the activities during my stay in Kuala Lumpur the past 6 months.

The cell group celebrated Ivy's birthday in an Italian Restaurant

Me & Yah Mei

MPPJ Night Fair

Lunch with CIMB group

USJ Family Day - Food & Fun Fair

Carrfour in one shopping mall just opened and they gave some of my disabled friends and I RM10 cupon.

Dreams

Being a severely disabled who yearn to do so many things, yet the physical condition stop her from going far. It was very frustrating. She has so many dream that she wants to achieve, she will not give up.

She has to let go her dream to stay in Kuala Lumpur because her body condition doesn't permit her to go back there. Her heart are full of sadness as her desire was to move on with life, but she has to go back to her old life.

Though her life in Kuala Lumpur was very difficult, yet she took the challenges. She didn't complain to anyone. Despite of language barrier between her disabled friends, yet she tried her best to cope with them. She has some good times too with many functions, church activities etc she attended. She really misses all her friends there. She brought back some knowledge with her.

Even how long her dreams and desire will take to come true, she will NEVER GIVE UP.

My experience in Lourdes 16-22 May 2009

One day before our Saturday Mass started our Parish Priest asked me “if we plan a trip to Lourdes are you willing to go” At that time I startled by what our parish priest asked me and so I brushed aside his question. That was a year ago, but I never take this trip to Lourdes seriously instead but my mum (who accompany me) was more excited than me.

Three weeks before our trip, there was a flu virus A H1N1 which attacked the whole world. Some of the pilgrims wanted to back out from the trip, but most of us having strong faith and didn’t back out. For me, if I would given the chance to travel, why not go for it. It’s an oppotunitely of the life time. If I would get the attack of A H1N1 virus then it’s God’s will. But in my heart, I wasn’t afraid of the virus. What I was afraid was the long distant journey, whether I could stand the long journey. Once I prayed, if it’s “Lord if it’s your will to allow me to go, please give me strength to go for trip”. That is the one prayer I said since our church started organizing this trip.

Actually I wasn’t that excited on going to Lourdes because I’m not a prayful person. But I know the Lord is very near to me as when I called on Him, I could feel His presence. I know Lourdes is a place healing takes place and I also want to be heal from my sickness.

I can’t believe of the hustle and planning, the real day has arrived. All 27 of us gathered at the Penang International Airport with excitement. Roslyn and Fredrick McGuire, our group leader. They were busy distributing the bag tags and mask for our face incase of A H1N1 virus, etc... I can see everyone was so busying tagging their bags. When everyone settled down with the baggage, it was time to check in our luggage and our boarding pass was given to us.

Our flight to Bangkok was at 10.45pm. It took more than an hour to reach Bangkok Airport terminal and it takes time for me to get down the plane. As Thai airplane only reached in the middle of the track and everyone has to climb down by stairs. Since there is no lift, I was taken down by a fork lift and a small van drove me and another disabled friends and her parents to the terminal, I have to go for nature’s call so the airport potter pushed me quite fast as we have less than an hour to board the plane to Paris.

We board a very a big and comfortable plane to Paris and we were served with 2 times serving. In between we were served with drinks, juices and wine. I was so trilled when I got the chance to drink red wine and other drinks all the way to Lourdes and also our trip back to Penang. It was a chance of a life time.

Throughout my journey in the airplane, I was served with good meals. When I had to go for my nature call in the plane, I was happy and thank God there were friends in our group who were willing to walk me to the toilet. I was seated 2 rows back from the toilet.

While the most dreadful place people want to enter was the custom checking point, it was the most interesting place for me in the airport. I find myself like a criminal having to search my whole body. At one checking point in Paris, the custom people have to stand me up to check from the top of my body until my leg. I find it quite fun.

Our journey took longer than I thought like it was never ending. after more than 12 hours journey we arrive at the Accueil Notre Dame (Hospital Hostel). There were 9 of us altogether, 3 disabled and our family members and 2 doctors who are brothers stayed at the Accueil. The rest of the group was taken to a nearby Hotel.

Before our trip, I was told that we were going to be spending our days in a hospital. My mind ran wild, I was thinking we were all going to stay in a hospital ward like our General Hospital. But to my great surprise, the hospital there was like our 1st class in a 5 Star hotel. I can say that it was much nicer than any hotel room I eve stay in Penang. I could feel the peace when I enter my 2 beded room. It was also very comfortable and clean. The toilet and bathroom were separated and it was all equip with disabled facilities.

The restaurant was very nearby our rooms and it was quite big and clean. We were served with French food in the restaurant. The main dish was bread like our Malaysian garlic bread. Two days after our arrival, there were a big European group consists of people old, young and disabled. The restaurant was full of noise because it was crowded with people.

It was raining the first 2 days and when I go out during the daytime and it was very cold outside. So I wore my jacket and was covered me 2 thick blankets (borrow from the hospital) a scarf on my head and a rain-coat. I find myself so funny.

Before I went I thought it would be a boring trip, never did I realize it was a great experience as everyday we went to different places. I went for the “BATH” twice because on the first day I faced language with the ladies incharged and I got into spasm. Later they didn’t take me in, instead the ladies just sprinkle water on my head and let me drink the holy water.

When I came out, I felt something happen to me. Suddenly tears kept flowing down from my check and I didn’t know why. I let myself continue crying without bothering people stare at me. At that time I was infront of the GROTTO and I pour my heart out to Jesus and Our Lady. I felt like Jesus was healing me emotionally as I have many hurts in me throughout my pass life. In my entire life I seldom cry.

The second day I went for the BATH again and this time I really went in. I was put me onto a stretcher and they pushed me into a room where there were many ladies inside. It was a different experience where 8 ladies carried me together with the stretcher into the water. I was concentrating on praying that I went in and came out without realizing it. I was really touched that these ladies were willing to carry people like me into the BATH. There were still many disabled and old people were all waiting for their turn to get in the BATH.

Another amazing thing was thousands of disabled, old and sick people came to Loudres for healing. When they were on the road, they would sit on a push cart (like our Malaysian beca) and many able body volunteers’ pulling the push cart from the hospital to a huge underground church and it took around 30mins walk and also to the night candle light and rosary procession. The Annoiting for the Sick is held everyday at the huge underground church at 5pm for ½ hour to 45mins, while the candle light and rosary procession held every night 9pm.

I went for the Anointing of the Sick for 2 days and I find it so amazing because the underground church is so huge that can take in 22,000 thousands people. Everyday all these disabled, old and sick people were taken there for healing. Only that sad that I didn’t get the chance to witness the candle light and rosary procession as my body was too tired of sitting the whole day. My mum went once for the night procession and she said it was so amazing the ground was full of people in front of the Rosary Basilica.

Altogether we had 4 Masses, we also make the Way of the Cross and visited Benadnette’s Muzeum. It was very interesting to know how Benadnette’s life. An Italian lady tour guide took to her muzium and down town to where the place she live when she was young. On the last day before we left, all of us got the chance to go to the nearby town to buy some souvenir home.

In the evening of our last night in Lourdes, all of us had a dinner together at the Du Calvaire Hotel where the rest of the group were staying. It was out of the Century (where we stay) and we took 10mins walk before reaching the hotel. We took a bubble lift into the hotel and another small lift to the restaurant. The lift was really small that only one wheelchair can go it.

It was an garden with open roof top where we could enjoy the fresh air. For me, it was a romantic place for couples can have dinner. It was really nice as we were served with red and white wine before dinner. Everyone was so happy chatting away while having our dinner. Before our second food was served, it started to rain and some of them have to move to the side. After dinner, as a compliment to our group the chef made a big cake for all of us.

I believe Mother Mary was the one who choose each one to go to Lourdes and I never realize I was one of the chosen one until I was back home. It was a great honour to be infront of the GROTTO praying to Our Lady in person and watching her.

I thank God that everyone in our group didn’t fall sick throughout our whole journey. I also knew Our Lady and Jesus protected all of us all from the A H1N1 virus. None of us had to wear the uncomfortable mask throughout the journey. It was like the virus never occured. When we reach back to Bangkok and Penang Airport then I saw some of the staff wearing mask even the Malay potter who helped me down the plane from our Penang Airport.

Altogether i sat on 6 planes to and flo, 3 big busses and a van. It was a really tiring journey

but a very good experience.

A friend that I admire

Ivy Pua, is the person I admire most in Beautiful Gate Centre. She works there as a Welfare Officer. Despite of her disability (spinal injury) she never look on herself instead she helps a lot of people. She is a very caring, understanding and a cheerful person. She takes every challenge with a positive attitude.

When I was in Beautiful Gate Centre she help me alot specially with my hospital things. And she is a good friend to me and she always give me a listening ear when I have any problem. She is also a very understanding person to my needs.

Ivy, thanks so much for helping me when I was a the centre.
I appreciate your friendship
I hope to go back there and see you again
As I miss you very much and your cell group members

Problems

What is life? It's either we look at the bright and positive side of life or we look at the dark and negetive of life. This is our choice.

There is a song "don't worry, be happy". It's easily said then done. When problems arise it may be not be so easy as we may not know how to handle the problem. To some people, it's easy for them to handle their problem but to me it's very difficulty.

When problem enter my life, I really don't know how to handle.Ｉwill keep it to myself and will not share with anyone I don't how to trust people to keep my secret. Unless the person is close to me than I will share with him/her.

This is Anne, she will keep all the problems to herself and pretend to be happy despite she is not.

Peace

This morning for the first time in 3 months, I went out alone on my motorised wheelchair round the neighbourhood. All the houses here are big and beautiful bunglows'. At the end of the road, there is a playground. At the time, there was no one in the playground except me alone. It was so peaceful that I could only hear the sound of the birds' chipping away. I went one round the ground before I drove back.

I could have sit the longer, but I was afraid of stranger. If i have chance I would go there again.

My new roommates

This month passes by within a blink of the eye. Despite my life in KL is tough but I had some good times with my friends there too. We went to some outing and I followed a friend of mine Ivy to her church and cell group. Few days before I came home, there were few Chinese New Year dinners'. I enjoyed my time with my disabled friends.

Last month our centre had spring cleaning and all of us (in the girls rooms) had to shift rooms to get to know the other roommates. Even though, I just enter the centre two months ago, I really missed my old room because my previous room was cosy and dark. Anyhow, I have to get use to my new room and roommates. Previously there were six of us in the room, but six of them had move to Kepong Beautiful Gate Centre, so now left four of us.

After one month in my new big room, I got use to it and I am happy with my roommates.

Goodbye 2008, Welcome 2009

2008 was a great year for me as I went for many outdoor activities. I enjoyed them very much. It was different from other year. I feel God gave me a new beginning and changes in my life. A starting of a new beginning. I hope and pray that 2009 will be a different year for me. Below are all my activities for 2008.


11th December 2008, since it was a public holiday Siew Chin took the children for a picnic at Taman Jaya. I was invited to join them. It was a beautiful lake and the place was disabled friendly including the toilet as there was a big disabled toilet. I used my power wheelchair to go round the whole lake. It was so peaceful when I saw the lake.

15-19 November 2008, I went to Genting-KL trip with Eden Handicap Service Centre. There were more than 50 disabled and able body friends and few helpers. On the days we arrived there were a group of volunteers from Genting Casino who had a fun time with us and gave us a dinner treat. The second day we went to the outdoor theme park. To my disappointment, I could not play any of the games because I couldn't sit on it. Later all of them went into the indoor park. I didn't join them but instead I went for a rest in my room as my body was in pain. At night we went for a show at the 1st world. It was quiet an interesting magic show. I had great food during my trip. When we came down to KL, I went to the Miners Resort and I sat in an enjoyable boat ride which took around 45mins. At night, i went to see beautiful fountains. Then we went to KLCC Science Centre and Aquatic. We had some fun time at the Science Centre. We also went to KLCC Shopping Mall and Sunway Prymid Shopping Mall. I cut my story short, Overall, I enjoyed visiting all these places, but I didn't enjoy the company of my friends as most of them wasn't friendly at all. So, I felt really left out.

24th Octorber 2008, I went to a Paralimpid dinner organised for all the Paralimpid players. I was proud to receive my certificated from our Penang Chief Minister YB. Lim Guan Eng.

5th Octorber 2008, I went to The Canival in Sungai Petani with the Spastic ex-pupils friends. I had a nice time meeting my old friends again.

3-9 May 2008 was National Paralimpid sport for the disabled and was help in Kuala Lumpur. I took part in Boccia (indoor lawn ball). It is the first year I won a gold medal and I was very proud of myself.

I went for a camp for 3 days and 2 nights organised by Bethany Home from 14-16 March 2008. It was held in Cameron Highlands. I had a great and interesting time meeting new disabled and able body friends.

Struggles in life

I thought coming home for this 2 weeks holidays would be a happy time for me, but instead it wasn't. After going into Beautiful Gate Centre, I learned more things there like doing things by myself and staying away from parents. Though the first month was difficult for me yet I feel proud of myself that I could manage it by myself.

But to my disappointment, my close friends didn't encourage to carry on my Independent Living at Beautiful Gate Centre instead one of them discouraged me. I feel very sad as I struggled my daily life with God's help yet the friends I love didn't encourage me at all.

Nevertheless, I will go on with my life in Kuala Lumpur. I will not hear what others say to me. I will do my best there. If I can make it, then my dream has come true.

Holiday

I took 2 weeks off from my centre to come home for Christmas and New Year with my family and friends. I know my parents miss me alot so are my close friends. But the main person I miss most is my darling. Despite we contact through sms and calls, yet I really miss him. I could feel the same on his side

On this Christmas eve, for the first time in few years I could have reunion dinner with my family. As the past few years, I went for Christmas carolling with Eden Handicap Service Centre. This year I'm so happy and feel so free when I think I need not have to join any carolling this year. Mum cooked delicious western dinner for all of us.

And on Christmas day, I met up with all my close friends at Gurney Plaza. Instead of being happy meeting all our friends. Few of them were not in good mood and I myself wasn't very happy for certain reason. Anyhow we had our lunch at nearly 3pm! I believe you can called Hi Tea...

Since it's still Christmas time.. Blessed Christmas and Happy 2009 to all my friends. I believe the coming year is going to be a very challenging year for me. Anyhow this year has been a great year for me..

My new experince

On Tuesday, 9th December 2008, at 9am four disabled friends and I on the power wheelchair went to DIGI Centre (DIGI Headquaters). It was a very big centre. I was surprised that there were around 10 disabled friends working there. There was a big room and there were 3 disabled, 2 disabled guys were on wheelchairs and a girl on walker. My friends and I went there for an Independent Living class. Siew Chin taught us about how to we save and spend our money. The class was really intersting as I learn how other spent and save their money.

Our class held for 2 hours, then it was lunch time. We all went to up to the first floor where the cafeteria were. It was quiet a long walk to the cafeteria. But when arrive there many people were already queueing up to buy their food. But a kind malay waiter came to served my disabled friends and I.

After lunch we went back. Kee Soon, a male friend of mine wanted to go to KLCC and he decided to take me along, so our van drop us at Independent Living Centre. I waited for him at the centre for more than 1 hour as he has something to do there. The LRT station is very nearby our Independent Living Centre so both of us use our power wheelchair to the train station.

Disabled friends pay only RM1 to go into the train otherwise able body person pay RM2. I followed my friend all the way. When we reached in front of the the train, my heart beats really fast as it was my first time on the train and I was quiet scare. We went into go the train very fast or else the door of the train will close very fast. We didn't go to to KLCC but instead we went to KL Sentral. Our place to KL Sentral took at least half an hour and the train stopped 5 stops before reaching our destination. I was quiet amazed with KL Sentral as it was a place where people ticket selling place. There were many shops selling many things there too. Everything was so new to me. The people there are mostly Malays. On our way back it rained very heavily, so we took shelter at the parking lot. When the rain slow down, we went back to Independent Living Centre. Later our centre's van came to fetch us back.

It was a nice experience as I could go around the places with my power wheelchair. I feel it was such a freedom for me. And sitting in the LRT was really a great and new experience.