Woon Ching's e-Book\disability

My Life with a Disability...

My first cry was in October of 1976. I was born with a disability but it was not noticeable until I learnt how to walk at age one. Ma felt that there was
something wrong with me because I fell down frequently. Also, I walked with a waddling gait.

So my parents took me to see specialists but they could not seem to make the correct diagnosis. They thought I was a bit knock-kneed and gave me a special kind of shoes to wear, but that only made it all the more cumbersome for me to walk. I dreaded these visits as Ma would always ended up wrapping her arms around me and wept.

My impairment didn't stop me from experiencing all the things that other little girls did. I was educated in a public school - Marian Convent, Ipoh. My parents, teachers and friends were all very helpful. I would try my best to manage by myself but if the need be, I would ask for help.

The little boy you see on the left is my younger brother, Mun Choon. He is only two years younger so we practically grew up together. We have had tons of fights throughout our childhood. Of course, he would always emerged as the winner so in the end, I learnt that it would be better off that we negotiate and compromise.

I was also given piano lessons. Ma said it will provide me with a good way to express myself. When I first took up music lessons, there were many people who poured cold water on my parents. They said that it would be a waste of time and money but Ma encouraged me to work all the more harder to prove the critics wrong. I managed to learnt until Grade 5. Had to stopped after that to concentrate on a major examination.

Whenever I feel sad, angry or lonely, I would played the appropriate pieces to let it all out. Thanks, Ma - For believing in me.

In 1986, Ma took me to Singapore to see another child specialist. Blood test and EMG's were performed. I was diagnosed with a form of neuromuscular disorder. It was good to know there is a name for the type of disability I am having but however, there is not a cure for it.

During the following year, Pa received a scholarship from the Ministry of Education, Malaysia, (under the Third World Bank Loan) to further his studies at the University of Wisconsin - STOUT. The whole family went along with him.

We stayed in Menomonie, Wisconsin, for over two years. Pa did his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Industrial Technology and Master of Science in Management Technology at STOUT while my brothers and I attended River Heights Elementary School to continue with our studies.

I did my Grade 5 and 6, Mun Choon did his Grade 3 and 4, while Mun Yen attended Kindergarten (during the second year).

With the help of my school nurse, I was put in touch with the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Minnesota. That provided more information and support on the type of disability I'm having.

Up till today, I find it hard to accept the fact that there is not a cure for my disability. I mean, research is going on, so I remain hopeful while at the same time, living life to the fullest in the here and now.

We visited many places during our stay in the States. The first trip we went to Ontario, Canada, to see the Niagara Falls. On the second trip, we rent a van to Chicago. The third trip we went to Washington D.C. by van too. The final trip we traveled to the west coast by Amtrak to visit Mount Glacier National Park, Disneyland, Seaworld and the Grand Canyon.

In August of 1989, we took a plane back to Malaysia. Pa went back to his work as a lecturer in Ungku Omar Polytechnic, Ma to her business at the market in Super Kinta while my brothers continued with their studies at Sam Tet. I was in secondary school at Main Convent.

In school, I started to use a wheelchair because it helped me to get around and saved time. Together with God's grace and the help from my peers, I managed to complete my studies up to Form 5 and continued with Form 6 at Saint Michael's Institution.

Some of my happiest moments were spent as a Michaelian. Being a Librarian, I had a lot of fun in the library - Especially during the probation period. Learnt that a lot more can be accomplished through teamwork than individually.

I was accepted into UPM but the environment was not accessible as there were no facilities to cater for the disabled's needs. In the end, I had to withdraw from university and studied Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies (ADCS) at Informatics Institute, Ipoh. After that, I went on to obtain a Degree through a distance learning programme - Bachelor of Information Technology from the University of Southern Queensland (Australia).

The picture on the left was taken on the USQ Graduation Ceremony (2002) at Hotel Nikko. I was so overwhelmed with emotions when putting on the gown... Yes, my journey through higher education has its ups and downs - Many a times, I was frustrated because I cannot physically function at the level that I wanted to but you know what, all the effort and hard work that I have put into my studies have been paid back in full, if not more.

Of course, I am still encountering this minor problem of trying to find a job... Am doing the best I can and praying earnestly. The Lord has helped me thus far, surely he will lead me through to secure a job. I'm just going to trust Him as the Provider.

Sooo.. I just want to encourage those of you who are still studying - Give it your best shot!! Everyone of us only lived once. Why not make the most out of it?!!! And though, you might be swimming against the tide but remember, when the going gets tough, the tough gets going.