In the seventh episode of Life & The City podcast, the hosts delve into the accessibility of public facilities in Malaysia for people with disabilities (PwD). They explore the physical and emotional challenges faced by PwD, and the often-overlooked barriers they encounter in their daily lives.
Joining the discussion is Hemavathy Muniandy, a Selangor paralympic games athlete, who shares her personal experiences and insights. Together, the hosts and guest discuss the importance of inclusive design and the need for a more compassionate and understanding public.
The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to consider the impact of their actions on PwD and to take steps to promote greater accessibility and inclusivity in Malaysian society. The Life & The City podcast series, which airs fortnightly, addresses current and social issues impacting urbanites.
It is available on www.thestar.com.my/metro and on The Star's YouTube channel (@thestaronline).
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
Joining the discussion is Hemavathy Muniandy, a Selangor paralympic games athlete, who shares her personal experiences and insights. Together, the hosts and guest discuss the importance of inclusive design and the need for a more compassionate and understanding public.
The episode concludes with a call to action, urging listeners to consider the impact of their actions on PwD and to take steps to promote greater accessibility and inclusivity in Malaysian society. The Life & The City podcast series, which airs fortnightly, addresses current and social issues impacting urbanites.
It is available on www.thestar.com.my/metro and on The Star's YouTube channel (@thestaronline).
WATCH MORE: https://thestartv.com/c/news
SUBSCRIBE: https://cutt.ly/TheStar
LIKE: https://fb.com/TheStarOnline
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LifestyleTranscript
00:00Welcome everyone to another episode of Life in the City podcast with me, your host Aida
00:08Ahmad and my co-host Farid Wahab.
00:11Thank you Aida for introducing me as always.
00:14So what topic do you have in store today Aida?
00:17Well today will be another interesting one.
00:20We are talking about amenities for people with disabilities and the lack in proper amenities
00:31as we've recently reported in Star Metro.
00:34Farid, maybe you want to tell our listeners what are some of the stories we've reported
00:40before.
00:41Yes, we've had plenty of interesting stories in Star Metro recently.
00:47One of them being the lack of proper access for people with disabilities in public amenities.
00:55We've also reported about the recent Singapore incident in Jalan Masjid India.
01:01Yes, so all of that is on our Star Metro website and our newspapers.
01:08So today we are talking to our own Selangor Paralympic athlete who will represent the
01:16state in the Supma Games.
01:17Welcome Hema Vati Munyandi.
01:19Yes, hello.
01:21Thank you for being with us here today.
01:23We are indeed honoured to have her, aren't we Farid?
01:27We also recently featured Hema in one of our reports about public amenities and how it
01:33was difficult for people with disabilities to access these amenities.
01:37So we're hoping that Hema is here.
01:39Maybe she can help us dissect issues that we often overlook in our day-to-day life.
01:45Correct.
01:46So we have done some very important stories on issues revolving around amenities for people
01:56with disabilities and how unfortunately these amenities are misused by able-bodied people.
02:06It is rather unfortunate.
02:09We have Hema here today to share with us her story and it is quite a riveting one.
02:17Hema, welcome again and would you like to just share with our listeners about yourself?
02:27Myself?
02:28Yes.
02:29I'm 25 years old, younger.
02:32I'm sorry?
02:33I'm 25 years old, younger.
02:34You're 25, right?
02:35I'm an ex-geometric engineering student in Polytechnic Merlimah, Melaka.
02:42Polytechnic Merlimah, okay.
02:44And then currently I'm doing peer counselling.
02:47That's right.
02:48When I met you before this interview, you told me that you are indeed doing peer counselling
02:53for…
02:54Disabled people.
02:55Paraplegics, people with different disabilities, am I correct?
03:01Different people, yeah.
03:02Right.
03:03And you recently decided to become involved in competitive sports.
03:07Yeah.
03:08And you will be representing Selangor in the SUGMA Games.
03:11Yeah.
03:12We're very proud of that.
03:13Yeah.
03:14And I'm sure you are too.
03:15This is a big deal, right?
03:17Yeah.
03:18Yeah.
03:19Before we get into that, you have been interviewed by our colleague who did an in-depth story
03:27about how basic amenities for people with disabilities are being misused and not built
03:35according to specs, right?
03:38And this is why we are so happy to have you here with us to share your story.
03:47Tell us a bit about, again, yourself and how the experiences in your life has led you
04:00to your current condition.
04:01Because the facilities, if they're never built in a proper manual, it will become more
04:09dangerous for us.
04:10Okay.
04:11But first, can you tell us, Hema…
04:12Yeah.
04:13How did you arrive at your situation being in a wheelchair?
04:20I met an accident.
04:22You had an accident, okay.
04:23In 2017.
04:24Right.
04:25I met an accident and then I ended up like this.
04:27Okay.
04:28I lost my leg.
04:29I had one side paralyzed and then my one eye is blind.
04:34So, because of my one-eye blindness, I cannot walk.
04:38I see.
04:39When and where did this accident happen, if you don't mind telling us?
04:42In 2017, I met an accident nearby.
04:45No, the place name, they changed it already.
04:48Last name is RRI, Raba Research Institute of Malaysia.
04:52Okay.
04:53It's at Sungai Buloh, right?
04:54Yeah.
04:55Okay.
04:56Near Sungai Buloh.
04:57Yeah.
04:58I met an accident there.
04:59And then I was admitted at Sungai Buloh Hospital.
05:01Okay.
05:02And then five, seven years later.
05:05So, it was since then that you became wheelchair-bound, is that correct?
05:11Were you riding a motorcycle at the time?
05:13Yeah, I was riding a motorcycle and a lorry hit me, hit and run.
05:18Then I ended up like this.
05:20Okay.
05:21Okay.
05:22Okay.
05:23Right now, you live in the training center in Rawang.
05:30Independent Living and Training Center in Rawang.
05:32Independent Living and Training Center in Rawang, correct?
05:34Yeah.
05:35And this is under the Welfare Department.
05:36Yeah.
05:37This initiative under the Welfare Department.
05:38Yeah.
05:40And I've been to see Hema at this facility.
05:45And I think you've done really well for yourself.
05:50And your tenacity and positivity is really inspirational, Hema.
05:55Right.
05:56So, let's get to the issue at hand, which is lack of working amenities for people with
06:08disabilities, right?
06:09In Selangor.
06:10And like we mentioned earlier, you've been in a few of our stories.
06:16And one of the most harrowing thing we've read is you were stuck in a toilet for 30
06:23minutes.
06:24Half an hour.
06:25I ended up crying.
06:26Yeah.
06:27It's quite an unfortunate incident.
06:28Can you tell us about that?
06:29There is no one actually.
06:30Can you tell us about that, Hema?
06:33I went for team building for Paralympics, actually.
06:38Okay.
06:39So, I went to Echo Venture, Sumanya Echo Venture Park.
06:44And then I stayed there.
06:45Okay.
06:46And then what happened?
06:47It's a team building program.
06:48And then in the room, the room is like, it's not like a hotel, it's a chalet.
06:53So, the facilities are not there.
06:57Okay.
06:58It's built for able-bodied.
07:01Right.
07:02But then I asked the worker there, do you have any okay toilet here?
07:08And then he showed me one.
07:10I went there.
07:11And then I tried to use the washroom.
07:14I entered inside already and then I locked my door already.
07:17After I transferred already, I cannot open my door.
07:20And then I stuck half an hour.
07:22What happened there, actually?
07:23Why couldn't you open your door?
07:25Because the place is very small.
07:27Right.
07:28And then I can't even move my wheelchair.
07:30If I move the portion of the wheelchair only, I can transfer back to my wheelchair.
07:34So, I stuck already.
07:36So, any person in this kind of situation, they will get traumatized like that.
07:41I'm sure.
07:42Yeah.
07:43So, they will, of course, they will cry or shout or they will do something.
07:46And then I take five.
07:48And then I think first.
07:50And then only I do something to transfer back.
07:52And then I get my way.
07:54Was this the one where you also left your mobile phone with you?
07:59Yeah, my mobile phone.
08:00So, you couldn't call anyone?
08:01Yeah.
08:02Okay.
08:03So, how did you eventually manage to get out of the situation, Hema?
08:07I stay calm.
08:09Okay.
08:10And then I think first what I have to do.
08:14Because there, I shout or I cry also, no one going to come and help me.
08:18Okay.
08:19Only thing is they can break the door and come and help me.
08:23So, what happened eventually?
08:25How did you eventually get out of that toilet?
08:28And then I transfer to my wheelchair.
08:30I do something.
08:31I open my leg pedal and then I transfer back to my wheelchair.
08:35Then only I try to get out from the door.
08:38And apparently this was not the first time that you were trapped in such a situation, right?
08:45Yeah.
08:46What happened the other time, Hema?
08:49The other time, the facility is not right.
08:52Okay.
08:54Where was this?
08:55Lotus Rowan.
08:57Okay.
08:58Can you tell us about it?
08:59Yeah, because the side rail cannot be movable.
09:08I see.
09:09Okay.
09:10In the toilet.
09:11So, the side rail cannot be movable.
09:12I sit there already and I stuck there already.
09:15The place is so small.
09:16I can't even get back to my wheelchair.
09:20So, what happened then?
09:21I cried for five minutes.
09:22Okay.
09:23And then I take five and then I went.
09:27Then only I transfer back to my wheelchair.
09:30So, does that mean you had to leave your wheelchair to open the door to exit?
09:35Is that what you're trying to say?
09:36No, actually the thing is the place is quite spacious.
09:39But the thing is there is no place for me to park near to the toilet.
09:44Right.
09:45So, the toilet and the wheelchair is far.
09:47So, it will cost, if I fall down, I will end up somewhere worse than this.
09:52Already I lost my leg and I'm like this.
09:55I don't want to get somewhere worse.
09:57Yeah.
09:58I got my future also.
09:59Yeah.
10:00And this is all because the facilities which are meant for people with disabilities are not built according to specs.
10:09Am I correct?
10:10Yeah.
10:11Okay.
10:12This was also a follow-up story by one of our colleagues.
10:18It says dozens of toilets in Klang Valley meant for people with disabilities are not built according to standard.
10:25And many of those that were initially up to specification have been vandalized or broken.
10:32Yeah.
10:33In some locations, repeated vandalism has led building management to permanently close these facilities
10:41and turn them into storage rooms.
10:43I understand, Hema, you also had a similar experience where you wanted to have access to a toilet
10:50meant for people with disabilities and it was locked.
10:52Yeah.
10:53Can you share with us that story?
10:54I went for one shopping mall because I also deserve to be happy with my family, yes or not?
11:00Of course, yes.
11:01I also should have my family time.
11:02Yes.
11:03So, I always will go out with my family.
11:05So, that time I went for one shopping mall.
11:07I forgot already, too long already.
11:08Okay.
11:09I don't know which mall is that.
11:11So, the door is locked.
11:12The disabled toilet is locked.
11:15And then I asked the cleaner.
11:16And then they say they will call the management and then they will bring the key.
11:21Okay, the time is five minutes.
11:23They took five minutes to open the key.
11:26And then I used.
11:27So, if anyone very urgent needs, what they have to do?
11:31That's true.
11:35So, they were willing to open the door but you had to wait five minutes in order for them to do it?
11:39Yeah.
11:40If I myself different, I can control my world.
11:47So, as a wheelchair-bound person, I'm sure you probably see the world differently than the rest of us.
11:53Yeah.
11:54So, perhaps there are challenges that only you know that we don't.
11:58Yeah.
11:59Maybe you can tell us a bit more about that, Hema?
12:01Okay.
12:02Just only thing I want to ask is to the society, don't see us different.
12:07We are just special, that's all.
12:10No need to see us like, oh, these people need this.
12:13We are not asking too much.
12:15That's right, yeah.
12:16We want what is meant for us.
12:19Really.
12:20We want what is for us.
12:22Don't misuse, please.
12:25That's right.
12:26It is that simple.
12:28Not only toilets.
12:29Parkings.
12:30Correct.
12:31Sometimes in hospital, the fast lane.
12:34A lot of people are misusing the disabled space.
12:38That's right.
12:39Especially.
12:40Because I got my dignity too.
12:41Really.
12:42That's right.
12:43I'm not asking extra.
12:44I'm just asking what is meant for me.
12:47When you say they misuse these facilities, what did they do exactly?
12:51Hmm?
12:52What did they do exactly when you say they misuse this?
12:54They park in, able-bodied park in the disabled parking.
12:58We're talking about parking for people with disabilities.
13:00Okay.
13:01We see this often enough.
13:02Yeah, all the time.
13:03Fully-abled people are parking in the facilities for okey-doos.
13:06Because you asked me the question, I answer you one more experience of mine.
13:09Sure.
13:10Sure.
13:11One time, I went for Pahang for my cousin's wedding.
13:14Coming back time, because if I go out, I won't use pampers.
13:18Because I use public toilet.
13:22So that time, I'm waiting for too long to go inside the washroom.
13:28It's like 10 minutes waiting.
13:31I'm sitting in front of the washroom.
13:34But finally, the door opened.
13:37People who come out from the washroom are able-bodied.
13:41How do you feel?
13:43Disrespected.
13:44Yeah, disrespected.
13:45If the person is an old person, okay, I can accept it.
13:49Because elder people also, they need some facility like that.
13:54A pregnant lady, okay, I can give exception.
13:58A normal young lady, she's coming out from the washroom.
14:03So when she saw you, what was the reaction on her face?
14:06Nothing. She did nothing.
14:07She just walked away?
14:08She didn't even say sorry or anything.
14:10She just walked away.
14:12How did that make you feel at that time?
14:14At that time, I have no time.
14:17Or not, I surely make a big havoc.
14:22Really.
14:23No, because this is, for me, I can bear it.
14:28For my society, I cannot bear it.
14:30Yeah.
14:31Okay, I can see where you're coming from.
14:33Yeah.
14:34Have you ever raised this issue with anyone?
14:36Maybe with the malls management or the local authorities?
14:40Any party at all?
14:41And if you have, what was the response, Hema?
14:44Nothing, right?
14:46Have you raised this issue with anyone?
14:48With any relevant authorities?
14:50Or the malls management?
14:52Or the venues management?
14:54Have you raised the matter with anyone?
14:56Currently, not yet.
14:58Okay.
14:59Did you lodge any complaints?
15:01Not yet.
15:02Okay.
15:03But soon will be.
15:05Okay, anyway, we have highlighted this.
15:07We have highlighted it, yes.
15:09As you are aware, because you were the interviewee.
15:12Yeah.
15:13To be fair.
15:14Because as a disabled, I'm not one to be too pampered.
15:19And I'm not asking you pamper me.
15:21No.
15:22I want my own life.
15:24I want to live my own life.
15:26I'm not asking you to raise me like that.
15:28No.
15:30I got hand.
15:31I know what to do.
15:32I have mind to think.
15:34I want to go anywhere.
15:35I can do anything on my own.
15:38So I just want my facilities.
15:39That's all.
15:40Right.
15:41To be fair, you don't actually have to complain.
15:44It's common sense.
15:45Correct.
15:46If you're able-bodied, don't go into it.
15:47Correct.
15:48It's basic civic consciousness.
15:49Yes, it is.
15:50Yeah.
15:51We also did a follow-up story, Hema.
15:54Actually, in one day, we cannot change anyone.
15:56Really.
15:57It's a society mindset.
15:58That is true.
15:59That is true.
16:01We highlighted the public, sorry, toilet for people with disabilities at the Rawang Station.
16:08When Railway Assets and KTM have addressed their concerns, they have assured that they
16:14will coordinate with KTMB to remove some of the obstructions to the toilets.
16:21Even the KTM Rawang washroom, it's closed, you know.
16:24It's closed.
16:25The toilet for people with disabilities.
16:26Yeah.
16:27Okay.
16:28If you want to use the toilet, you need to buy the ticket.
16:31And then only you can enter inside, you know.
16:34The washroom is not outside, you know.
16:36It's inside.
16:37It means that you have to get past the ticketing machine first, yeah.
16:39So, if I didn't buy the ticket, I cannot go inside the washroom.
16:44That is something that needs to be addressed, yeah.
16:46They lock the washroom.
16:47Why they have treasure inside the washroom?
16:48I don't know.
16:49So, they lock.
16:50And then after I ask, they say, no, usually they won't lock.
16:54Today only they lock.
16:55No, no, they mistake.
16:56They try to manipulate me.
16:58Really.
16:59Can we maybe shift the conversation a little bit towards what's the cause of poor access, right?
17:06Do you think it's the lack of awareness and understanding, Hema?
17:10Yeah.
17:12What do you wish?
17:13Because until the pain is mine, you didn't feel the pain, you won't understand that thing.
17:20That is true.
17:21If there is a person in my house, same stage, then I will understand like that.
17:27You see, Hema, when I travel, you know, I normally stop by a rest area.
17:32I look at the toilets, I look at the surau, I look at the ramps.
17:37The facilities are there, but I'm not a person with disability.
17:41I'm not the best person to judge whether or not they are adequate.
17:44So, maybe you can tell us.
17:45When you see lifts, when you see rest areas, when you see ramps around us,
17:51do you think they are adequate?
17:52Or if they are not, what improvements can we do to make them better?
17:57Maybe they should separate.
17:58They should even prepare a place for a disabled resting place also.
18:03Because or not, the able-bodied are vandalizing, really.
18:09There have been vandalism cases?
18:10Yeah.
18:11You go to so many places.
18:13Yeah, broken bidets.
18:15The chair will be broken.
18:20It's the place that you're sitting, it's broken.
18:22If I transfer there, I end up falling down.
18:25What will happen?
18:26That's right.
18:27The other thing is,
18:30I don't think there is any law prohibiting able-bodied people
18:34from using these facilities for people with disabilities, right?
18:38I'm not aware of any.
18:40Because judging by Hema's stories just now,
18:43how this lady just walked straight past her,
18:46the fact that she could just do that and not face any repercussions,
18:51that I think, if there is, we're probably not aware of it.
18:55And people need to, those who know, need to tell us who don't know.
18:59But as of this moment, I'm not aware of any law prohibiting able-bodied people
19:03from using toilets meant for people with disabilities.
19:07Do you think there should be any such laws, Hema?
19:09Yeah.
19:10Because the basic law should be,
19:13every place they build a washroom,
19:16they should build a disabled washroom.
19:18That's right.
19:19Why not?
19:20A disabled washroom, an able-bodied can use.
19:23A pregnant lady can use.
19:24Elder people can use.
19:25Everyone can use.
19:27If an able-bodied washroom,
19:29do a pregnant lady can use an able-bodied washroom?
19:31Probably not.
19:32They need the rails.
19:33Yeah.
19:34Even pregnant lady use, need a rail.
19:38Elder people also same.
19:40So, disabled toilet should be the basic one.
19:46Okay.
19:47Let's look at this impact on a broader scale, Hema.
19:54Would you say limited access for amenities for people with disabilities
20:01will contribute to feelings of social exclusion?
20:04Yeah.
20:05You want inclusivity, right?
20:07Yeah.
20:09Is that right?
20:10Yeah.
20:11Okay.
20:12How would you describe that?
20:17Being included?
20:19No, I don't get it.
20:21How would you describe the feeling of social exclusion?
20:26That means people with disabilities are obviously not included
20:30in the architecture of these public amenities, right?
20:35Yeah.
20:36Would you like to share that based on your experience?
20:38Because at my house, every month I used to go to watch a movie.
20:44For theater, you know.
20:46I will go to theater.
20:47Because it's a public place.
20:49Right.
20:50It doesn't mean that it's only for able-bodied.
20:52It's only for disabled-bodied.
20:54Right?
20:55Yeah.
20:56So, every month I will have my family time.
20:58I will go watch a movie.
21:00So, if there is a proper facility, it will be easy.
21:03Then only we can mingle with public.
21:07Hema, I have one question to ask you.
21:10I mean, if I'm being disrespectful, please feel free to correct me.
21:14Yeah, sure.
21:15You had a different experience in life in the sense that
21:21you became disabled a few years ago.
21:25So, you were living your life as a fully able-bodied person before that.
21:29So, how has that change transformed the way you look at the world?
21:35Experience.
21:36Okay.
21:37Only experience.
21:39Can you elaborate a little bit?
21:41How has your view changed after the accident, after you became disabled?
21:46How has that changed the way you look at the world?
21:47When I cannot do anything, something.
21:50Were there things that you used to be able to do,
21:52but now became a little bit more difficult for you to do?
21:54Yeah.
21:55Maybe you want to share that for our listeners?
21:56Even entering in my house washroom.
21:58Want to enter inside the washroom.
22:00Last time, I can walk inside.
22:02Now, I need someone to carry me and put me inside.
22:07And who helps you at home, Hema?
22:09My father or my brother.
22:10I see. Okay.
22:13So, day by day, I'm changing my life also.
22:15Last time, after I bathe, they have to carry me to put me in wheelchair.
22:20But nowadays, I upgrade myself.
22:24I'm upgrading myself.
22:26Practice makes perfect.
22:28So now, after I bathe, I will ask them to push me in the wheelchair only.
22:33I'll transfer to the wheelchair and they have to get me out from the washroom only.
22:37And for successfully, yesterday, I learned how to climb up the stairs.
22:45So, there is some learning involved to adapt to the new situation.
22:48How are you finding it?
22:50It's like practicing every day.
22:53It's like you want to go to some place, right?
22:56Every day, you're going to the same place.
22:58Maybe in a while, you will find a shortcut.
23:00It's like that.
23:03You'll be mastering that.
23:07What impact will this have on the understanding of the general public?
23:17I think we've established that the needs of people with disabilities are not being addressed
23:24from the interviews we've done with you, right?
23:29What future impact will this have on society in general and especially people with disabilities?
23:37We won't see Paralympics again.
23:39Really.
23:40The disabled people won't come out from the house.
23:43Really.
23:45Really, because they will have, like, if I come out or so,
23:50come on, you cannot control your ball for a whole day, right?
23:55If a disabled person comes out from the house, they should have a public toilet, everything.
24:00They should need their facilities.
24:02You want to bring family members that are disabled to anywhere,
24:07you need ramp, everything.
24:09If no facilities, you have to left them at home only.
24:13So the family conflicts will happen.
24:15Yeah.
24:16Everything like this.
24:18Hema, you said something about family's conflict.
24:21So after you became disabled, how has your family adapted to your situation?
24:26Have they been very supportive of you?
24:28It's starting.
24:31They struggle to accept it.
24:34Accept it, yeah.
24:35Yeah.
24:36But have they come to terms with it now?
24:38Yeah.
24:39Okay.
24:40That's good.
24:41Because they're expecting.
24:42Expectation.
24:43Yeah.
24:44There's a quote, right?
24:46Expectation kills.
24:47Really.
24:49You said something about people with disabilities finding it difficult to leave the house.
24:56I think that could, I'm picturing here, it could have some impacts on their employability.
25:04We're talking about how employers might be reluctant to hire people with disabilities
25:11because they think that their buildings or their premises
25:14don't have the facilities to accommodate people with disabilities.
25:18In your experience, has this been true?
25:20Or maybe you know people who have been held back because of this.
25:25Yeah.
25:26My friend, one of my friends, he's a disabled.
25:29He can walk, actually.
25:32How old is this friend of yours?
25:3440 plus, actually.
25:3540 plus, actually.
25:36And what was the job that he was trying to get or trying to do?
25:39He can walk, actually.
25:40So now he's working in one spare part company.
25:45Right.
25:46So for his case, he cannot stand too long.
25:49Anywhere he go, he have to stand too long.
25:56Because after, he have to change his job.
25:58Every month, he will have the problem with that.
26:01What are some of his challenges?
26:03What are some of his disabilities?
26:06Some days, they will cut off your money, you know.
26:11What do you mean by that?
26:12They cut your salary?
26:14What do you mean by that?
26:15They cut your salary?
26:19My friend, the place that he working, they will cut the salary.
26:23I don't know.
26:25They will give a nonsense.
26:27Maybe they give a lower pay or something?
26:28They will give a lower pay.
26:30I see.
26:31So also, I think for it, we need to address the probably lack of compassion and understanding.
26:39Yeah, yeah, yeah.
26:40For people with disabilities.
26:41I think it's possible that these employers are missing out on talents because they don't
26:46have the facilities to cater to them or to accommodate their needs.
26:51I think that's a possibility, I think.
26:53Yeah.
26:55Because the society is not concerning about the disabled.
26:59They're not concerning about us, really.
27:03Society could be misguided.
27:09Yeah.
27:10Right?
27:11We are concerned, but majority misguided, I feel.
27:17Probably unaware of the things that you face.
27:20They probably look at the toilet and say, ah, there's a toilet for you.
27:22Ah, there's a ramp for you.
27:23And ignorance.
27:24Yeah.
27:25But despite all this, Hema, you are now a Selangor Paralympic athlete.
27:32Yeah.
27:33Please share with us your journey as to how you've arrived here.
27:36Actually, a doctor from PPUM helped me.
27:41Okay.
27:43He gave me a contact of a coach, and then I talked to the coach, and then he asked me
27:48to come for an eye talent.
27:51Because in Paralympics, we do eye talent.
27:54What is that?
27:55Eye talent means we see the ability of disabled people who have got ability, then we will
28:02take them.
28:03Did you have interest in sports when you were in school that prompted this?
28:08Since I'm young.
28:10Oh, I see.
28:11So what sports did you like to play?
28:13I play Kabaddi.
28:15Could you explain what Kabaddi is?
28:17Kabaddi is an Indian game.
28:18Right.
28:20But now it's like Malay people also playing.
28:22All races are playing.
28:24And that's K-A-B-A-D-I.
28:26K-A-B-A-D-I.
28:28Okay.
28:29For our listeners who are not familiar with this sport, you can Google Kabaddi.
28:34So how did that sort of launch your ambition to be a Paralympic athlete?
28:44Actually, I have something in sports.
28:46I have some attachment in sports.
28:48Please tell us.
28:50In primary school, I'm attached to sports.
28:53Secondary, I'm attached to sports.
28:55What kind of sports did you play?
28:57The same game.
28:58And then, suddenly I met the accident.
29:00I see.
29:01But still the attachment is there.
29:03Your love for the sport was always there.
29:05My passion.
29:07And then, a few years back, some athletes from India came to ILTC Rawang.
29:15And please explain what is ILTC?
29:17Independent Living and Training Centre.
29:19That's where you are in Rawang, right?
29:21So we have some exchange program.
29:24Paralympic player from India came to Malaysia to have an exchange program.
29:32And then, I competed with them.
29:34And then, I won.
29:36Wonderful.
29:37And what year was that?
29:39What year was that?
29:412021, maybe.
29:45Okay.
29:47And from there, how did you meet this doctor?
29:49And then, the coach also told me.
29:52The Indian coach told me,
29:54you got something in sport.
29:56Don't leave it.
29:58And then, it gave me a goosebump, actually.
30:02And then, I went to hospital and I asked my doctor.
30:06So I want my future to be in sport.
30:11I got everything.
30:13What sport was this that you won?
30:14Was it kabaddi?
30:16Of course, I cannot play kabaddi in future.
30:19It was very insensitive for me.
30:22It's alright.
30:24In SUGMA, you will be competing in shotput.
30:27And disc throwing.
30:29And then, javelin throw.
30:31Javelin throw.
30:32Wow.
30:34That's fantastic.
30:40Why this sport?
30:42What made you attracted to this sport?
30:44Because since I'm in...
30:47Wheelchair.
30:48Before my wheelchair life,
30:51I'm studying in Polytechnic.
30:52Everyday, I used to go to gym.
30:54I see.
30:56So, I build my muscle.
30:58That's great.
30:59Maybe after finish the...
31:01Our podcast, I show you my muscle, maybe.
31:05We're looking forward to see that.
31:06Yes, we are.
31:07I'm so impressed.
31:11You know, we...
31:13We're all aware that our shuttler,
31:15Acik Alik Kau,
31:17brought a lot of joy to the country.
31:19He has captured the first gold
31:21in the Paris Paralympics.
31:23And...
31:25By defending his gold medal in the men's singles.
31:27Yes.
31:28Right?
31:29In upper body impairment.
31:30Yes.
31:31Yesterday.
31:32So, I'm asking one question.
31:34If there is no facilities in this Malaysia,
31:37will he come out from the house and
31:40bring the gold for our country?
31:42That is a good question.
31:43Yes.
31:45And...
31:46Outside Malaysia.
31:49Mariam Eniola Bolaji of Nigeria
31:52became the first African athlete
31:54to win a badminton medal at the games.
31:57Yes.
31:58Olympics or Paralympics
32:00when she won the bronze
32:02in the women's singles
32:04at the Paris Paralympics as well.
32:06Yes.
32:07So...
32:09Also, on another note,
32:10we've
32:12also discovered that
32:14the Global Hospitality Technology Company,
32:16OYO,
32:17has announced this partnership
32:19with the Paralympic Association of Malaysia
32:21to promote sports
32:23among specially abled athletes
32:25across the country.
32:26I think it is fantastic.
32:28This company has kick-started
32:30this partnership
32:31by playing a small role
32:33in sponsoring athletes
32:35participating in the upcoming...
32:37Well,
32:39the ongoing summer Paralympics
32:41where Malaysia
32:43has sent 30 athletes
32:45in the contingent
32:47who will be participating
32:49in eight sports.
32:51We are making progress.
32:52Yes.
32:54So, if we want to make progress,
32:56we need the facilities.
32:57That's right.
32:58Then only a disabled person
33:00will be more confident
33:02to come out from the house.
33:04I think, Hema,
33:06we've been talking about
33:07what the government can do,
33:09what the authorities can do,
33:11but let's flip the coin.
33:13Let's talk about the bottom-up approach.
33:15What can we, regular individuals,
33:17do to help people
33:19with disabilities?
33:20What can we do?
33:22So, you mean the society?
33:24Yes, society in general.
33:26Yes.
33:28If a disabled person...
33:30If the facility for a disabled person,
33:32please don't misuse it.
33:34Please don't misuse it.
33:35Just please don't misuse it.
33:37What for us is what for us.
33:40And to add,
33:42maybe we can tell others
33:44not to use it.
33:45If we find someone,
33:46maybe we can show him
33:48that face like,
33:49you're not supposed to use that.
33:51Yeah.
33:52Maybe your colleagues
33:53or friends,
33:54you can tell them.
33:55Yeah, call them out on it.
33:56Yes.
33:57Don't use that.
33:58Correct.
33:59Call them out.
34:00It's the same as
34:01dumping rubbish indiscriminately.
34:02It's the same thing.
34:03Don't litter our backyard.
34:05It's the same thing.
34:06Normalize calling them out.
34:08Yeah.
34:10What roles do government
34:12and policy makers have,
34:14Hema or Aida?
34:16What do you think they can do?
34:18What other things they can do?
34:20Maybe they can impose laws
34:22or what sort of things
34:24you think they should consider doing?
34:28It's okay, Hema.
34:30I think what Farid meant was that
34:31what are the
34:34ways to
34:36improve
34:37prospects
34:38of people with disabilities
34:40to receive the same
34:42respect as fully abled people.
34:44Right?
34:46Maybe the government can have
34:47like family day like that.
34:49Like OKU day.
34:50We can celebrate it like that.
34:52Disabled days.
34:54Day with disabled.
34:55They can have so many programs like that.
34:57Yeah.
34:58I think
34:59this is where we can highlight
35:00our former senator
35:02Ras Adiba Rady
35:04who has been
35:06an articulate voice
35:08in the Dewan Negara and Parliament
35:10promoting the rights
35:12of people with disabilities.
35:14And she has
35:16worked hard to highlight
35:18many issues
35:19that impact the
35:20people with disabilities community
35:22including health,
35:23education,
35:24employment,
35:25access to information,
35:27transport,
35:29food security and welfare.
35:31Yeah.
35:32So
35:33we need people like her.
35:35Yeah.
35:37I think it was
35:39great to have
35:40representation
35:42in our
35:43law-making bodies
35:44like Dewan Negara
35:46which is part of Parliament
35:47because
35:49we able-bodied people
35:50we may mean well
35:52but sometimes
35:54there are things that we may
35:55tend to overlook
35:56because we don't go through
35:57what you go through every day.
35:59Yeah.
36:01And also the
36:03willingness to collaborate
36:04with
36:06the OKU civil society
36:08organisations as well
36:09networks and groups
36:11and
36:12maintaining close
36:14contact with grassroots
36:15and low-income
36:16household
36:17with OKU members.
36:19And again
36:21it's having the
36:22genuine interest
36:23to understand
36:24the plight
36:25of people with disabilities.
36:26Am I correct Hema?
36:27Yeah.
36:28OK.
36:30What do you wish
36:32for the general public
36:33to know about
36:35the daily struggles
36:36of a person with disabilities
36:37such as yourself?
36:39Emotionally, physically?
36:41Emotionally, physically.
36:42OK.
36:43Emotionally
36:47it's just like
36:49the facilities only
36:50I can bear
36:51really.
36:53Because it can affect
36:54the whole day you know.
36:55It can make or break your day?
36:56Yeah.
36:59Because maybe I can
37:00give you an example.
37:01Sure.
37:02I need to go somewhere
37:03maybe I got an appointment
37:04in a hospital
37:05because someone
37:06used my facilities
37:08I cannot go on time
37:10and then I have to
37:11postpone my appointment
37:12I can't even
37:13meet the doctor
37:15so what will happen?
37:16I need to wait
37:17for a reschedule.
37:19It's a long process you know.
37:21Has that happened
37:22to you before?
37:23Yeah.
37:24OK.
37:25Plenty of times.
37:26Plenty of times.
37:29OK.
37:30Anything you want to add
37:31Farid?
37:33Well this has been
37:34an eye-opening
37:35conversation
37:36because
37:37I'll be very honest
37:38with you
37:39I mean
37:40I
37:41like to think
37:42I'm very sensitive
37:43I like to think
37:44I'm very well-intentioned
37:45but sometimes
37:46you know
37:47people like me
37:48we can
37:49overlook
37:50what your needs are
37:51so it's nice
37:52to have you here
37:53to shed some light
37:54on the things
37:55that we might have overlooked
37:56things that we
37:57you know
37:58take for granted
37:59Yeah.
38:00So hopefully
38:01it has been an eye-opening
38:02conversation for our listeners
38:03as well.
38:04That's right.
38:05When are you off to
38:06Sukma Hema?
38:0718th.
38:08On the 18th?
38:09Yeah.
38:10And you'll be there
38:11for how long?
38:1210 days.
38:1310 days.
38:14We wish you
38:15all the best.
38:16Sure.
38:17We wish you
38:18get your goal
38:19because I'm from Selangor.
38:20No pressure though.
38:21But do your best.
38:22Yeah.
38:23Yes.
38:24We're very proud
38:25that you're representing Selangor.
38:26Yeah.
38:27This is your first time
38:28as I understand it?
38:29Yeah, my first time
38:30because
38:31from my experience on
38:32you asked my sports life, right?
38:35My first tournament
38:36I joined is
38:37this year
38:38and my first tournament ever
38:40I got one gold
38:41and one bronze
38:42for Selangor.
38:43Well done.
38:44Okay.
38:45Congratulations.
38:46So wait.
38:47So no,
38:48the pressure on me
38:50is so much.
38:51Really.
38:52My coach is like
38:53sure you can get like that.
38:57Okay.
38:58Yeah.
38:59That's good.
39:00I don't think I can do it.
39:03Once again
39:04it's been a pleasure
39:05having you
39:06on our podcast, Hema
39:07and we wish you
39:08all the best
39:10for the upcoming games.
39:11Yeah.
39:12Thank you for listening everyone.
39:13The Life in the City podcast
39:14can be viewed
39:15on YouTube channel
39:17and
39:18www.thestar.com.my
39:20slash Metro