LAST week’s Deepavali celebrations may have been quieter than usual. However, when it comes to learning some precious lessons in life, I’m delighted to say Deepavali certainly did not disappoint.

My friend S. Jeyaraj, 34, shared with me the wonderful break he had when he returned to his hometown in Taiping, Perak.

It has been six years since Jeyaraj became a paraplegic following an industrial accident.

He was devastated initially, but bounced back with a zest for life within a remarkably short period of time. Jeyaraj spent the first three months in rehabilitation in Singapore where he was working at the time. One year later, he married his able-bodied girlfriend, Bavani.

During the recent Deepavali holidays, Jeyaraj met up with a handful of close buddies whom he had not seen for the past 12 years.

These were friends he had once played football with. They would also take every opportunity to go fishing, swimming and hiking.

This time around, Jeyaraj was in a wheelchair.

“Although my friends felt a little bit awkward about my condition, they were careful not to say anything that would hurt my feelings,” said Jeyaraj. “I insisted on taking my friends to the same river bank where we used to hang out.”

“They were dumbstruck at my ability to drive a car even though my legs refused to work.

It turned out to be one of the best Deepavali celebrations I had as I could use my disability to raise awareness about people in my condition,” added Jeyaraj who lives in Rawang, Selangor.

On Deepavali’s Eve, I received an SOS call. It involved a fiveyear- old Rottweiler which was lost. The huge dog was hiding in some bushes fronting a row of terrace houses in Petaling Jaya.

The residents were terrified to come out of their homes for fear that the dog might attack them.

I was at an MBPJ meeting when I received the SOS. The animal-control vehicles from the council and animal shelters were not available due to the holidays.

I left the meeting and headed to the scene. I could see why people were frightened; the Rottie had a large head and a muscular body.

Together with a Rottweiler expert whom I had called for help, we befriended the dog.

It turned out to be a big teddy bear at heart; the dog was terrified itself and just wanted to go home! It was amazing how everyone chipped in to help.

They fed the hungry dog and even brought a chain to secure the animal. The Rottie was put in a safe place before it was finally sent to an animal shelter by the Rottie expert. The dog was reunited with its owner last week when the same residents spotted the owner looking for the Rottie nearby.

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