Pacemakers Track Meet 2008

Date : 21 September 2008 (Sunday)
Venue : Kampung Pandan Sports Centre, Kuala Lumpur
Time : 7am

For the past one year, the youths under the OPTIONS program had been training at the Taman Rimba TTDI on every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month. This is part of their learning program on healthy living besides sharpening their skills on basic living from mopping the floor, preparing a simple meals, taking a bus ride to making their own decision in life.

Qi Han, Ken Han, Wai Kin, Chung Jien, William, Yudhesh and Julie have been training with their 'coach' Julie Wong for almost a year in preparation to eventually taking part in public races and running alongside the ordinary folks. So, when a group of elite runners who called themselves Der Pacemakers decided to hold a Track Meet, Julie Wong seized the opportunity and asked the Captain, Ronnie See to incorporate a special category. Ronnie was very accomodative and agreed to include a Special Category.

On 21 September 2008, 7 youths together with Mettilda the Executive Director of Dignity & Services and the Program Coordinator, Asha arrived at the sports centre at 7.30am. They were truly excited as this will be their 1st public event!

All photos courtesy by http://pmtey.multiply.com/

Arriving at the stadium in jubilant mood!

Briefing by Julie Wong on the regulation of the track event

Julie, the sole female runner in the Special Category

Ken Han, in his casual mood

Qi Han, has great potential and impressed the crowd with his speed

William, ran like an amateur

Wai Kin, another potential in long distance running

Yudhesh, another potential sprinter in track and field event

Chung Jien, despite his limitation he made a grand finishing and won the hearts of many for his determination

Mingling with other participants during the medals presentations

THE PROUD MOMENT

Thank you to Der Pacemakers Group especially the Captain, Ronnie See for making this a memorable experience for the youths.

OPTIONS for SUPPORTED LIVING

OPTIONS - The Supported Living Program commenced in 2006 using a borrowed premises in Old Klang Road. In June 2007, we moved into a single storey house in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI). A total of 10 individuals and their families participated in regular weekend activities and overnight stays.

We have succeeded in raising awareness among the local communities in TTDI through the print media and holding fundraising event like garage sales in the house.

We also managed to recruit a pool of volunteers including families who get involved during the weekend activities. Few of the youths also participated in local sports events in TTDI.

Some of the activities undertaken by the youths during the weekend program as well as overnight stays.

Preparing meals

Repainting a used towel rack

Planting vegetables in the garden

Competing alongside ordinary folks in a Charity Fun Walk

Lim Qi Han, the sole participant in a relay run organised

by the Kuala Lumpur Association of Veteran Athletes at

Kiara Park, TTDI and won a medal.

'OPTIONS' - A SUPPORTED LIVING PROGRAM FOR PWLD

OPTIONS is a supported living program for persons with learning disabilities. It is about planning for Life. Originated in the USA then United Kingdom in 1980s/90s, the concept is based on clear values that -

Each person is a unique individual

• Each persons is a unique individual
• Have their own likes and dislikes
• Will want to make certain life choices of their own
• Most individuals will need some form of support throughout their lives to lead an independent life
• Future Life Planning should start now with full involvement from families
• It is a fact that parents as carers will not be around forever.

The target group :

Young adults who have just left school or about to leave school

The AIM :

• To teach them skills in decision making in planning for their future
• To help family members to begin planning proactively
• To offer counseling and support to enable parents to 'let go'
• To create a team of highly skilled support workers
• To raise public awareness
• Sharing our values on philosophy with other communities
  
  
  

Our Achievements

D&S chartered many successes despite working under limited resources and manpower. The very first project undertaken was the setting up of a vibrant self-advocacy group consisting of only 4 youth members in May 11, 1995. Sponsored and supported by D&S, membership grew to 8 by early 1996. They later called themselves United Voice (or better known as UV).

~ United Voice

UV created history on 12 July 2005 for being the 1st Society led by persons with LD being recognised by Registrar of Societies (ROS) in Malaysia. Membership increased to 70 by end of 2005. They continued to make further progress by setting up an Employment Project which created jobs for 15 members specializing in handmade cards, magnets, bookmarks and Saori products.

UV is now helping to set up similar groups throughout Malaysia. For more details, please click on to http://unitedvoice.com.my

~ ESCAP (Economic & Social Commission) Award 2000

D&S received special mentioned from the United Nation and won the ESCAP Award 2000 for our contribution towards empowerment of persons with disabilites.

~ One Voice

A monthly column in The STAR paper on Disability has been coordinated by us since 2004.

~ Personal Safety Project

D&S is part of the curriculum development group to teach children with special need and intend to undertake it as a nationwide project in the near future.

~ 'i PLAY TOY' Library

Set up to serves the marginalized communities in collaboration with a private company called E2L Sdn Bhd.

~ D&S Review

A quarterly Newsletter distributed to about 3,000 individuals and organizations.

About Us

Dignity & Services (or better known as D&S) is an advocacy movement speaking and acting on behalf of and alongside persons with learning disabilities (intellectual disabilities). D&S aims to be an independent voice to ensure that persons with learning disabilities are offered the basic human right of being treated as full human beings.

Persons with learning disabilities are always amongst those who are disadvantaged in Malaysian society and they receive the least help compared to others who are disabled, thus their conditions fall very short of their basic human rights. And for this very reason Dignity & Services, the first organisation to advocate for persons with learning disabilities in Malaysia was incorporated on 29 July 1991.

Our services include working with (i) Individuals, (ii) Families and (iii) the Community. Every aspect of our service is underpinned by the principles of Self Advocacy by persons with learning disabilities. We offer support through daily telephone counseling and encourage the full participation of family members including siblings in every aspect of decision making and service provision. D&S also help to raise public awareness by working with Government Agencies, the media and educational institutions.