Archive for the ‘People’ Category
The challenges of mouth-painting
January 15, 2008I discovered (via JulesLife) this article by Gilbert Tan, member of the Mouth & Foot Painting Artists (MFPA) Singapore. He shares the challenges he faced when he picked up mouth-painting.
Learning how to painting well already requires patience and practice (I dabble in some artwork once in a while). And to do it with your mouth? Wow.
Just take a look at some of the artwork that these artists can do — featured at this post (Malaysian MFP artists?)
I also learned there’s Association of Mouth and Foot Painting Artists of the World (AMFPA). Here’s the link to the Singapore page (some artists are listed at the end of the page).
Perspectives from a wheelchair user
December 18, 2007From thestar.com.my (13 Dec 2007):
… valuable lessons for the able-bodied, especially when it comes to organising programmes for the disabled.
Here are some of the jottings from my notebook:
Set up a disabled/elderly hospitality committee: This is the first thing that needs to be done considering the specific needs of the handicapped. Invite a disabled or elderly person you know to offer input. If one is not available, try putting yourself into the shoes of a wheelchair user, or a blind or deaf person. Consider each and every angle from their point of view.
The show starts at the car park, not at the event hall: Even though we had arranged for our able-bodied volunteers to accompany us to the concert, some inevitably couldn’t turn up on time or were caught in traffic. At Sunway, some of us were stuck in our cars for some time. Fortunately, friendly university security staff or students passing by came to our rescue. Although the organisers had done the right thing by alerting the security about our arrival and providing them with our car number plates, contingency plans can save the day. A standby team armed with mobile phones should be posted. They should remain there until all the disabled guests have arrived.
Meanwhile, I was delighted to see wheelchair ramps at Sunway. However, some of them were a little steep. This would make it difficult for students with disabilities to manage on their own.
Another feature for the university to consider is voice-activated doors. This would be of great benefit to physically disabled persons with profound disabilities.
Reserved disabled parking a must: St Andrew’s initially told us that they couldn’t guarantee reserved parking lots for us at the church’s entrance for fear that their able-bodied members might get upset that their spaces had been taken. But in the end the church decided to get tough with its parishioners by blocking three parking spots for us.
Singapore wins 14 medals at World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007
September 26, 2007From Channelnewsasia.com (18 Sept 2007):
Singapore’s disabled athletes have scored a big win at an international sports meet in Taipei. The bi-annual event is known as the International Wheelchair & Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) World Wheelchair and Amputee Games 2007.
Singapore sent five athletes to take part in wheelchair racing and seven in swimming. They joined over 1,000 disabled athletes from 43 countries.
In total, Singapore’s 12 athletes achieved 14 medals and 21 personal bests. All, but one, of the medals came from swimming events.
Doing a little good: A book of the Riding for the Disabled Association of Singapore
September 5, 2007
Published: 2003.
ISBN: 981-04-7172-6
NLB Call No.: SING 798.23087 DOI
Some memorable parts from the book:
On Dusty, the Welsh mountain pony: “Although he is small in size, he is large in heart, and he truly believes that he is a big horse.” ~ Marianne Godwin.
A mother, Mrs Schodeller, whose daughter Charlotte has Pervasive Development Delay: “When your child has a disability, you look for everything. I searched any place I could.” This search led her to a carnival held at the Polo Club where she discovered the RDA.
On Darren Tay, who is Autistic: “As long as Darren is happy to be here, I will let him go for anything that will help him.” ~ Mr. Tay Choon Mong, father.
See also:
Equiworld.net
Infertilefantasies.blogspot.com
Disabled swimmer Theresa Goh rewrites two world records in Europe
July 15, 2007From Channel News Asia (www.channelnewsasia.com) dated 29 May 2007 - Disabled swimmer Theresa Goh rewrites two world records in Europe (excerpts):
SINGAPORE: Once again, she has created a big splash! Disabled swimmer Theresa Goh has rewritten two of her world records, in the 50m and 200m breaststroke events.
And her latest feat - in Britain, Theresa, who suffers from spina bifida, shaved 13 seconds off her world mark, to finish with a time of 4:17:38.
Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) – Wheelchair Basketball
May 12, 2007Received an email yesterday from Ms. Kelly Fan, who works for the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC). She’s asking for help to increase support for wheelchair basketball in Singapore.
The event is today (I opened up my mail too late, unfortunately). Well, for what it’s worth, here’s the link to the event details at the SDSC page - “Watch The Rollers - world-ranked No.2 basketball team - against Singapore team this Sat!” (12 May 2007):
About Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) – Wheelchair Basketball
In 2007, SDSC will be relaunching its wheelchair basketball development programme, with support from the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The programme, headed by a group of students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic called ‘Wheel-Power’, will see a new batch of youths taking over the wheelchair basketball scene in Singapore.
A new wheelchair basketball league will also be starting this year under the National Disability League, which will be held from August to November 2007.
Disability-related groups at Flickr.com
March 4, 2007
How’s that to change the perception of wheelchair-users? LOL.
The photo (of a tattoo) was from this Flickr Group — “Rolling Rains - Travel with a Disability” (the Rolling Rains website here):
This group gives travelers with disabilities, their travel companions, friends, and allies of the disability community a place to post on travel. Sometimes we see (or use other senses) differently; sometimes not…
Link to their Flickr.com discussion threads.
While browsing through the photos at the Rolling Rains Flickr Group, I also discovered this other disability-related Flickr Group — “Rock That Disability“:
“This is a group for anyone with a disability, physical, mental or otherwise. Pictures you want to share of you using your wheelchair, walker, cane, braces or any other assistive device? This is the place. Or, even if you have a disability that may not show any outward signs and just want a place to showcase yourself or your best work. Have pictures of handicap signs or other related items? They belong here too…”
Here’s a link to their discussion threads at Flickr.com
To join the Flickr groups, sign up for a free Flickr.com account.
Technorati Tags: disability groups, abled
Photography website for People with Disabilities (PWDs)
March 4, 2007Alvan says:
Looks promising and interesting, as a shutterbug myself.
The blog’s intro: “This Blog is designed for photographers with disabilities. If anyone has ever tried to find quality adaptive equipment to allow someone with a disability to take photos, then you know how little is commercially available. So I hope to invite any and all rolling shutterbugs to contribute a biography and share with everyone the adaption you’ve made to your camera, wheelchair, etc.“
Joseph Heng shares his views on Being Deaf
November 29, 2006Learnt about this SG blogger, SolitaireJoker, via Tomorrow.SG. He muses about being deaf. I learnt a bit more about the Cochlear Implant (he’s a CI recipient).
Found out that his name is Joseph from his About page.
This statement from his blog post (see para 3) struck me as philosophical: “Deafness is potentially the best thing, and yet, the worst thing that can happen to me.“
He also continues in the last para:
But despite all this, I don’t have a choice in the matter, do I? Being deaf is something I was born with, it’s part of who I am. It’s the hand that life dealt me. There’s no point in moping about the what ifs of me not being born deaf. My deafness would still remain part of who I am, and it brings with it its lesson that nothing is to be taken for granted, and that hard work brings with it results.
Well Joseph, from those words, seems to me you have do have choices and you’ve already made one.
