Disability: how functional can one be?

Disability: how functional can one be?

Among the parents, this question was asked. Some kept quiet. I would like to illustrate some extreme examples here.

people doing swim race
Swimming (Photo by Jim De Ramos on Pexels.com)

Examples of low functionality may include catatonia and coma. Most activities of daily living (ADL) need to be attended to. This may include breathing, feeding, cleaning them up, or moving their limbs.

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And here are a few highly functional people. Being differently-abled does not stop them from excelling.

John Forbes Nash Jr. (June 13, 1928- May 23, 2015) was a devoted mathematician. He received the 1994 Nobel Prize in economics. John Nash struggled with schizophrenia.

U.S. gymnast, Simone Biles, swimmer Michael Phelps, tennis star Naomi Osaka, are elite athletes. They have spoken publicly about mental health struggles.

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So, how functional can a special child be?

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The Dutch well- a remnant left behind

The Dutch well- a remnant left behind – at Tangjung Tuan

by Toh HL , co-author and photographer, 27 May 2021

The Dutch well in Tangjung Tuan
In Tangjung Tuan, there is this boulder. 
On top of it, is a dent that appears like the shape of a footprint. 
The local mythology claims this to be the footprint 
of Hang Tuah, an ancient Malacca warrior, 
during the reign of Sultan Mansur Shah. 
It is said he visited Tanjung Tuan, but exaggeration claims
he jumped from Malacca to Tanjung Tuan.

There are two wells; the Rubiah well and the Dutch well.
It seems this well was dug by the Dutch. 
One wonders if these wells were dug for use by the lighthouse keepers. 
Were foreigners or locals manning the lighthouse then?
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Be kind or be quiet!

Be kind or be quiet!

woman placing her finger between her lips
Be quiet! (Photo by Kat Jayne on Pexels.com)

The harder a ball is thrown, the stronger it will bounce back!

When a customer is angry, there must be something that makes him so. It is best to listen and talk less.

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Quote:

If You Can’t Be Kind, Be Quiet.- TheWeeklySparkle

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I had a dream

adult book boring face
I had a dream. Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Last night I had a dream. I went bowling. I had many strikes and spares! Then the first thing I read this morning was ‘ no dream‘!

Then I would like to add on;

I had a dream, a series of ‘things’,
to carry on in blishful blinks.
If you see the wonders, of a fairy tale,
if you see the devils, in the darkness spell.
I believe in angels, that protect us in the realm of a dream,
‘cos in a dream, a dream’s a dream…

-Serena Chen@TPTan, 24 Dec 2020-

Hope is like the sun…

Hope is like the sun…

silhouette of man standing on sandy terrain
Hope is like the sun… (Photo by Tomas Anunziata on Pexels.com)

Quote:-

Hope is like the sun, which, as we journey toward it, casts the shadow of our burden behind us. – Samuel Smiles

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Forgetfulness and mindfulness

Forgetfulness and mindfulness ( A Senryū)

stainless steel cookware on stove
Is the gas off? (Photo by Oleg Magni on Pexels.com)

Have I turned it off?

I went back to the kitchen.

Ah, it was turned off.

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Please call my mobile

Have I muted it as well?

Where have I left it?

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Practice mindfulness.

Tracking the moments in steps.

Re track the moments.

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Quote:

Use It or Lose It– Experts agree that the best way to keep your brain fit is to keep using it.

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Patience and ‘children’

Patience and ‘children’

The quote below talks about patience and children.

But when the child is a ‘child forever’, a carer’s patience is challenged constantly. And I notice sometimes, patience becomes a beautiful second nature melded together in such parents or carer!

Watch this (click here) documentary about a 40 year old autistic man and his caring parents.

man holding an ipad with a message on a yellow background
‘a child forever’ (Photo by MART PRODUCTION on Pexels.com)

Quote:

“You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance.” — Franklin P. Jones, American humorist

ANYWAY…….

I came across this inspiring and profound poem ‘ANYWAY’. It hangs on the walls of Mother Teresa’s children home in Calcutta.  I would like to share it with my blogger friends. THE POEM goes like this: –People are often unreasonable, illogical and self-centered; ‘FORGIVE THEM’ anyway. –If you are kind, people may accuse you of […]

Please read here:-

ANYWAY…….

Thank you for your presence in my absence!

Thank you for your presence in my absence!

Absence? Presence? (Photo by Yaowaluck Promdee on Pexels.com)

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The last two months

I step in once in a while

… briefly,

into my blog.

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I notice

the presence

of some of you

in ‘my empty class’

looking at my past posts.

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Thank you, bloggers,

for stopping by!

Merry Christmas!

🎄🎄🎄💐💐🦌🙏!

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Stoma-an invisible disability in need of a special toilet!

Stoma-an invisible disability in need of a special toilet!

Teruko Murayama
Teruko Murayama, a director of Japan Ostomy Association became ostomate in 1982 …

Do you know there are people who don’t do their business squatting or sitting on the toilet bowl? They have this invisible disability. They need a special toilet to empty, clean themselves in case of leakage from their stoma and the stoma bag.

According to a JOA (Japanese Ostomy Association) survey, 50% of ostomates reported feeling helpless. Many Japanese ostomates fear leaving home for an active community life. They worry about potential leakage and how to clean their pouches away from home.

Teruko Murayama (above) demanded and initiated a revolutionary change through Japan- an ostomate toilet! She was a director of Japan Ostomy Association when she became ostomate in 1982. She underwent an ostomy surgery for ulcerative colitis and had a stoma. 

"... After a couple of humiliating experiences, Murayama realized the need 
for a shower and a place to change the clothing in the public toilet. 

Murayama decided to stand up for two hundred thousand ostomates in Japan, 
declaring that she has a colostomy and started a campaign in 1995 and demanding to local government to install the toilet for ostomate in the public facility. 

First ostomate toilet was built in Narashinoshi city hall in May 1998, ...
and then the campaign quickly spread throughout Japan."

View more about this special ostomate toilet. I wish more countries will adopt this.

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