MOST people think that ending up in a wheelchair signals the end of the road for anyone. Well, never believe that for a minute, folks!

True, life is not easy if you are a wheelchair user. Ageing further complicates matters. However, with some help from some extraordinary people, much can be accomplished.

Last week, Zhar was due for his annual booster shot. How do you get a 40kg Doberman that is petrified of needles to go to the veterinary clinic? And what happens after you get there? Who’s going to get your pet and wheelchair out of the car and into the clinic?

I tried calling up all pals but they were working at that time. Just when I was about to give up, a most unexpected individual offered to meet me at the vet’s.

Back home, there was the humongous task of getting a highly suspicious and reluctant Doberman into the car. Zhar is trained as an assistance dog to accompany me anywhere. So I tricked him into thinking that our trip was nothing more than a casual car ride. This meant I had to hide anything – for example, muzzle, bandages or medicines – that showed signs of a visit to the vet.

We followed the usual procedures. Zhar got out of his crate in my room and walked by the side of my wheelchair as I switched off the lights, locked the door and gate before getting into my car.

At the very last minute, I pulled over by the side of the road and placed the muzzle on Zhar.

My physician, who had volunteered to help me, was already waiting at the vet’s. The good doctor helped to get Zhar out of the backseat and into the clinic. The boys were out in no time after the shot. Zhar leapt into the car with relief. The good doctor smiled and waved before he drove off.

As I drove Zhar home, I recalled another act of kindness by a dentist just two days earlier. Help isn’t always easy to find, especially when you live alone. Wheelchair accessibility is another problem when you decide to visit any place.

I needed a haircut and the obvious choice was Mid Valley Megamall. I also needed to get my teeth fixed, too. The hair salon and the dentist’s clinic were opposite each other.

I called the dentist to see if he could fit me in. Although it was such short notice, the dentist did not turn me away, and very kindly took me in. He even treated me whilst I sat in my wheelchair.

He understood the difficulty that many wheelchair users – depending on their condition – had in getting into the dental chair. The lack of support bars positioned at the correct angle, makes it difficult for wheelchair users to transfer themselves to the dental chair.

I was glad to get my two teeth filled. I felt incredibly blessed by these special volunteers who touched my life last week. I wish there were more people who would rush out and do something extraordinary for a disabled person when they most need it.

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