Determined: ‘Being handicapped does not signal the end of life,’ says Chong Tuck Meng.

People with disabilities are beginning to receive due recognition.

INTERNATIONAL Day for Persons with Disabilities was observed with scores of notable events and happenings around the globe on Dec 3. One of the highlights was the special recognition given to outstanding disabled individuals in society.

The National Welfare Department in Kuala Lumpur dished out as much as RM5,000 each to selected handicapped recipients for their achievements at the workplace and in the business arena.

Last Saturday, the Petaling Jaya City Council (MBPJ) also joined in the celebrations. They decided to do something different this year.

MBPJ chose to honour ordinary persons with disabilities along with a handful of handicapped people who had excelled in the academic field.

The event was held at a shopping centre. Three very ordinary disabled Malaysians were honoured for their courage and determination in overcoming the barriers they encounter on a daily basis. They included a blind young man who made it to university, a young woman with dyspraxia (a learning disability), and an elderly woman with Parkinson’s disease.

Talking about inspiring individuals, Chong Tuck Meng, 51, is certainly one of them.

Despite being paralysed from the chest down after a motorcycle accident 30 years ago, Chong went on to become the team manager for wheelchair rugby and basketball in Pahang.

Last month, Chong was presented the Disabled Sports Leadership award by the Ministry of Youth and Sports in his hometown in Bentong, Pahang. He received a plaque, a certificate and cash reward of RM2,000.

“I was simply thrilled by the recognition. It shows that the disabled can do anything and being handicapped does not signal the end of life,” said a beaming Chong who is currently participating in the 16th Malaysian Paralympiad in Kuantan which ends tomorrow.

“Despite having severely injured my spinal cord, I am grateful that I am able to help in the development of disabled sports, particularly in wheelchair basketball,” added Chong, who is president of the Pahang Wheelchair Basketball Association, Pahang Wheelchair Rugby Association and Malaysian Wheelchair Rugby Federation.

Chong requires two full-time caregivers to assist him with his daily activities. He needs to be carried into his wheelchair in the mornings and to his bed at night.

“I can’t play basketball but I can use my head to plan and organise the players and team, so that they can put their skills to full use in each competition,” said Chong.

Chong takes on life’s challenges with a good dose of humour. He recalled an incident a couple of years ago when he led a wheelchair basketball team to Melbourne in Australia for the World Qualifying Asia-Oceania competition.

Chong was the only team manager in a wheelchair at a special meeting of managers from various countries.

“When the chairman asked where the Malaysian manager was, I put my hand up and everybody stared in disbelief,” Chong said with a chuckle.

“At that moment, I was so proud of my country for looking beyond my handicap and selecting me to lead the disabled team.”

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