Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Freewheeling dance style - The Star

Friday July 31, 2009

By DERRICK VINESH

SIMPLY captivating. This best summed up the dance performances by a group of wheelchair-bound persons with their able-bodied partners in a fund-raising concert in Penang.

It was also a night of fun for the 33 disabled persons on wheelchairs as they ‘danced’ and swayed to the rhythmic beats of the songs with their partners at the event held at the Jit Sin Independent High School in Bukit Mertajam.

The audience clapped along as the performers captivated them with creative dance movements that were specially choreographed for wheelchair-bound persons to perform with able-bodied partners.

Themed ‘Creativity Beyond Limitations’, the three-hour long concert was pre- sented by members of the Beautiful Gate Foundation For the Disabled (BGF).

The dancers performing from their wheelchairs.

BGF executive director Sia Siew Chin said the show was aimed at creating awareness that disabled persons on wheelchairs were part of the nation’s rich multi-cultural society.

In the show’s first segment, BGF presented a cultural dance showcasing eight disabled boys and girls on wheelchairs together with their partners in matching traditional costumes.

Next was a segment called Joyfulness in Life where nine disabled persons and their accompanying volunteers performed a dance skit to the upbeat numbers Macarena and YMCA.

During this item, one of the disabled persons suddenly fell off the wheelchair and struggled to get back on it.

Rock and roll: BGF members show that onw can have fund and style even on a wheelchair.

“This skit is to depict the difficulties that disabled persons have to face in life.

“But, with perseverance and determi-nation, they can succeed in the end,” Sia explained.

Subsequently, four disabled persons on wheelchairs and volunteers participated in separate ballroom dance items, namely the rock & roll, samba, rumba and cha-cha.

“This item is to showcase that disabled persons can also live together and enjoy life with other able-bodied persons,” Sia said.

Four children, aged between seven and 14 years, later took part in a disabled children’s wheelchair dance presentation, where they used sign language to relate heartfelt messages through two Mandarin songs.

And, after visually impaired singer Daniel Yap belted out three melodious Hokkien numbers, the BGF Performing Arts Troupe members regrouped for the finale where they invited the audience to join them in a freestyle dance.

Earlier, pastor Lee Lip Hock from the Bukit Mertajam Chinese Methodist Church (BMCMC) presented a cheque for RM153,039 that was raised from the concert’s ticket sales and sponsorship to Sia. BMCMC was the event co-organiser.

“We will use the money to buy teaching aid and as well as equipment and amenities for disabled youths at our BGF Kampar Centre in Ipoh, Perak,” said Sia.

Also present was State Youth, Sports, Women, Family and Community Deve-lopment Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi.

For details on BGF, visit their website at http://www.beautifulgate.org.my/

Source: The Star

Saturday, August 1, 2009

Hopes & Joys Merdeka Charity Concert

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled (PJ Centre) co-organised a charity concert with the Council of Churches Malaysia, Rukun Tetangga SS2B, the offices of YB Edward Lee, YB Lau Weng San and my office.


The Beautiful Gate performing arts troupe demonstrated their skills in well-rehearsed routines
Sources: Dr Cheah Wing Yin's Blog (ADUN Damansara Utama)

Hopes & Joys Merdeka Charity Concert


Hopes and Joys Merdeka Charity Concert
August 1 09, Saturday, MBPJ Auditorium, Civic Centre

Hopes & Joys Merdeka Charity Concert

Beautiful Gate Foundation for the Disabled (PJ Centre) co-organised a charity concert with the Council of Churches Malaysia, Rukun Tetangga SS2B, the offices of YB Edward Lee, YB Lau Weng San and the office of our ADUN YB Dr. Cheah Wing Ying

Sources: Rukun tetangga Ss2B Blog

Sunday, July 26, 2009

30-Hour Famine Camp 2009 with A-Mei in Beautiful Gate

A-Mei, this year's 30 Hour Famine Camp Ambassador made a special visit to Beautiful Gate Foundation For The Disabled to understand the disabled home more. In conjunction with this, Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe proudly presented some dance moves with her, A-Mei, in return, taught the disabled children a dance ;) Everyone wes extremely fun and excited! And are looking forward to the famine day to come again, which is on 22-23 August 2009.

Here is some news from World Vision Blog...

饥饿 30-Hour Famine 2009 officially launched!

8 June, 12:01 pm

The 30-Hour Famine 2009 Ambassador 饥饿30爱心大使 - A-Mei, 张惠妹, was in town recently to show her support to the campaign. She spent almost 2 days in KL to officiate the Press Conference and took time off her busy schedule to be with the residents of Beautiful Gate, who is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s Famine.

More pictures in our Facebook page. Join us as a fan today for regular updates!

Together to grace the Press Conference were 30-Hour Famine Advocates, TV and radio personalities - Belinda, Gary, Roshan and Nicholas as well as our co-organizers, media partners and sponsors. We at World Vision Malaysia extends our gratitudes for your support and hopes the 30-Hour Famine now takes off to reach RM1million we aspires to raise this year in focus of Global Food Crisis.

We would like to thank members of the media for the coverage given in support of this campaign. We hope through these highlights, more Malaysian would be inspired to be a part of the cause we advocate for and join us in making a difference!

Monday, July 20, 2009

The 5th AYA Dream Malaysia Awards updating public regarding their past recipient's achievements and one of them, the AYA recipient of the year 2006, happened to be our Sia Ling Ling ;) Below is the updates...

SIA LING LING

She was born with muscular dystrophy, a condition that weakens her muscles and prevents her from walking normally. After facing much discrimination in her hometown, Ling Ling moved to Kuala Lumpur at age 14 to make a living by selling handicraft. Now married, she works at the Beautiful Gate Foundation, helping others who are disabled. "It was such an encouragement to me. Winning the award was like a sign from God for me to keep on keeping on,” says Ling Ling. “I am now convinced that there is much more in store for me. More people to encourage and changes to bring about."

At the 2007 AYA Awards Night, she performed with the Beautiful Gate Creative Arts Troupe two wheelchair dances that truly inspired and moved every spectator. She has also lived her dream of becoming a radio deejay when she became a part-time announcer with Ai FM.

She is currently training her performing arts troupe for a performance in the Philippines to raise funds for the disabled, orphaned, and poor there. This inspiring lady was also actively involved in motivational talks to students in Kuching and Sibu from 29th March -5th April.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

乒乓國手難接受突半癱‧怨遲送醫累母崩潰

乒乓國手難接受突半癱‧怨遲送醫累母崩潰

* 綜合院

2009-06-16 21:10

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身殘志不殘,潘銀珠在輪椅上呈獻舞蹈令人動容。(圖:光明日報)
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潘銀珠與志工示範舞蹈演出。(圖:光明日報)
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美門殘障藝術晚會將於7月18日舉行,希望為金寶美門殘障中心籌募14萬令吉,協助更多的殘障人士。(圖:光明日報)
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潘銀珠(左3)雖殘障也不放棄運動,曾以乒乓國手身份到外國參賽。(圖:光明日報)
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美門藝術團呼吁民眾支持美門殘障藝術晚會,協助殘障朋友自力更生。(圖:光明日報)

1 of 5

(檳城‧大山腳)殘障乒乓國手潘銀珠念中四時因瘀血壓到神經線,從此一輩子必須在輪椅上度過,她當時無法接受,每天發脾氣埋怨父母,母親更為照顧她而精神崩潰,還被送入精神病院就醫。

今年27歲的潘銀珠來自雪州適耕莊,十多年前的她是個品學兼優的好學生,小學是排球校隊,中學是跆拳道校隊,曾在賽場上寫下藍帶打倒黑帶選手的記錄。

她在運動場上表現風光,學校成績也考得好,深得師長疼愛。

16歲那年,她在上課時突然全身發痛,入院檢查後發現有瘀血壓到脊椎骨神經,由於延誤動手術,以致只能救上半身,下半身永久殘廢。

小時跌傷瘀血病發

她的父母不敢告知真相,用了很長一段時間覓醫,在每個醫療都失敗後,潘銀珠才知道,自己不可能重新站立。醫生說,這種病只有萬分之一的病發率,也許是小時候跌傷留下的瘀血。

不能站立、不能自行上廁所和洗澡,尤其下半身沒有知覺,臀部潰爛了也不知道。這個突然轉變擊潰了潘銀珠的信心,她不敢見人也不想見人,埋怨父母沒及時醫治她,每天發脾氣摔東西。

半年後,母親壓抑許久的情緒爆發被送入精神病院治療,潘銀珠才知道自己的任性為家人帶來痛苦。

割脈自殺獲救

所幸她母親及早獲醫治,病情穩定下來,但未免再刺激病人,家人決定隔離母女,把潘銀珠送到阿姨家居住。

潘銀珠徹底對人生失望,她割脈自殺,卻被妹妹發現救起。不過她不再眷戀生命,自暴自棄,對周圍一切冷漠,直到信了耶穌,她的生命才重新有色彩,接受自己身體的缺陷。

輟學一年後,潘銀珠重返適耕莊育群國民型中學完成中五課程,隨後到美門殘障中心修讀電腦高級文憑。

不服輸
不吃不喝學打乒乓

在美門殘障中心求學時,殘障人士運動組織上門找有潛質的乒乓員,潘銀珠不曾打乒乓,憑著不服輸的性格,她為接球多次撲倒,後來成為國家選手。

“我下半身的神經線斷了,很難用力接球,為了接球,好多次連人帶輪椅撲倒,傷痕累累。”

她相信自己一定做得到,不吃不喝的練習,直至接到第一粒球。“因為接不到球,我不肯休息,手掌長時間捉球拍,都長繭了。”

努力的人總能戰勝一切障礙,學乒乓一年半後,她從眾多選手中突圍,被選為國家代表,曾代表殘障選手到英國、韓國、伊朗和澳洲比賽。

“塞翁失馬,焉知非福。我從來沒想過當國手,代表國家出征國際比賽,反而失去了走路的能力後,得到的比以前更多,活得更精彩。”
潘銀珠說話時總是笑臉盈盈。

她說,以前能走能跳時,性格叛逆,總是不在家,和家人吵架。不能走路後,才知道父母持家的辛苦,她身體的殘障也激發弟妹早熟,懂得體諒她這個姐姐,一家人相處比以往更融洽。

輪椅當腳跳舞
隨團出國表演

完全接受自己的缺陷,讓潘銀珠活得更自在,她現在是美門藝術團的舞蹈員,看著她在輪椅上呈獻倫巴、輕快的恰恰舞和現代舞,讓人動容。

美門藝術團是大馬首支殘障人士藝術團,潘銀珠曾隨團到泰國和菲律賓演出,一群推著輪椅的殘障人士與義工配合音樂載歌載舞。他們以輪椅為腳,努力舞動著身體,以行動告訴大家,肢體上的缺陷不是障礙,熱愛生命才是最重要。

潘銀珠目前全職擔任美門就業與關懷主任,為殘障者找工,以自己的例子來鼓舞他人。“當年我突然不能走,不知何去何從,我相信很多後天性殘障人士也面對同樣的痛苦,我希望教導他們如何渡過低潮。”

她說,“上帝安慰我們,好讓我們用祂的安慰去安慰其他人。”

美門殘障藝術晚會籌款

美門藝術團將於7月18日(週六)晚上7點半,在大山腳日新獨中禮堂舉行“美門殘障藝術晚會”,為金寶美門殘障中心籌募14萬令吉。

金寶美門殘障中心成立於1999年,為殘障人士的教育中心,提供的培訓課程包括語文課程、科學數學、電腦知識、生活技能、衛生道德、地理歷史以及聖經常識。

由於殘障學員劇增,只能容納15名學員的空間非常擁擠,該會於2007年開始擴建,耗資35萬令吉增建2間課室、11間房間、1間電腦室、1間休閒與運動室、1間廚房、1間飯廳及1間辦公室。此中心目前還需15萬令吉進行室內裝修、購置室內設備及教育器材。

22名殘障學員當天將呈獻多支令人動容的舞蹈,門票分為50令吉名譽券和30令吉特別券。大會敬盼公眾伸出救援之手,助殘障同胞回到社會自力更生,有意購票可聯絡溫幼理(012-4731005)、陳忠義(012-5788587)、陳光益(012-4816200)、許福順(012-4766023)、陳平安(012-4001038)、歐志義(019-4746859)、王永敬(016-5181017/05-8081161)、王勇元(019-4127526)。
光明日報‧2009.06.16

Monday, June 1, 2009

BG Arts Troupe left footsteps in Manila, Philippines

Beautiful Gate Performance Art Troupe

Beautiful gate was awarded the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest participants in a wheelchair performance in the year 2000. We also represented Malaysia in the International Cultural & Arts for the Disabled.
Out of the love for the performing Arts, we manage to take up performing tour to Thailand, Singapore, Sabah,Sarawak, and all major cities in west Malaysia. All 14 states of Malaysia, we had been for charity performance.
Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe was launched by Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow on August 13, 2003. It consists of 25 disabled performers and 5 volunteers.
We believes that disabilities do not prevent experiencing in beauty of arts, and aspired to bring to the disabled community, despite their disabilities, an aspiration to experience the beauty of Arts in this era.
Beautiful Gate hopes to provide an opportunity to the disabled community the joy of Performing Arts and allow it to be the media of communication with the society. It hopes to offer the disabled a future and hope of their own beside being an element of motivation of life to the able-body.
Objectives of Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe are as follow:
  • To demonstrate the determination of learning and self development of persons with disabilities and transmit the message of determination effort to the public.
  • To increase accessibility, interest and understanding of the potential of people with disabilities.
  • To create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
  • To integrate people with disabilities with society .
  • To promote the greatness of loving and caring spirit
We have traditional dance, Ballroom dance, Modern dance, Hip Hop, Drama, Solo, and other media suitable for different tastes of varied audience.

Source: Life Haven, Inc

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Performing Art Troupe left footsteps in Philippines

“Live Free” Fundraising Concert

Date: 30 May 2010
Venue: Crossroad 77, Manila, Philippines
In Conjunction with: Life Haven Inc, Philippines
Aim: Create Awareness in Manila, Philippines

Stepping into the land of Philippines... At the airport

The place where we stayed-> Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (translated as House Without Steps)


Mingle with the locals disabled community...

They manufactured their own wheelchairs!! Salute!


Interview by TV station to promote fund raising event...


Performers (full dress) getting ready to blast the stage with their colorful costumes!


Cha-cha...


Rumba...


Samba...


Saturday, May 16, 2009

Beautiful Gate Concert at Summit

Enjoyable evening at Summit with Beautiful Gate Concert.



Fantastic show portraying great skills and wonderful costumes.




Sponsored by Lions club KL.

Sources: Rukun Tetangga SS2B Blog

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

美门艺术团助我度过人生低潮


难道残障人士永远只能被有心人“摆上台”博取同情心,而不能在舞台上当个翩翩起舞的专业舞蹈员?美门谢秀贞传道的这个疑问,促成了美门残障艺术团的成立,也让嘉怡的生命从此增添了色彩。

嘉怡可说是艺术团里的第一个义务舞蹈员。2002年,她在陈志豪传道的介绍下,接触了美门残障中心。当艺术团成立后,嘉怡前来充当团员的铃鼓老师。后来,为了更丰富艺术团的舞蹈,健全的义工包括嘉怡也被招入与残障朋友共舞,她加入艺术团的整个过程是那么的理所当然。

身为艺术团的一分子,嘉怡需要在每逢星期一及三到八打灵美门残障中心练舞。从前,内向的她在下班后不是出席教会,就是往家里钻;当上了艺术团的义工后,她把大部分时间贡献给了艺术团。嘉怡认为,她把事奉转到艺术团了。
另外,承蒙社会人士的支持,艺术团常年都会受邀请到国内外各地区演出。为了配合这些行程,嘉怡每在进行工作面试时,都会向雇主表明自己是艺术团义工的身份,要求公司必须以最快的速度处理她请假的申请。感恩的是,这位律师助理的上司总是以行动来支持她的义务,在她申请假期的事务上给予最大的通融。

一群健全的舞蹈员若要在舞台上呈现美丽的舞姿,都需要一段日子的苦工才能成事,更何况是残障人士与健全人士的配搭舞蹈团体。当笔者问及嘉怡在与残障朋友共舞时所面对的困难时,她说道:“每个残障朋友的体力与体质都不一样,所以每当我们在排练新的舞蹈时,因为还未适应该有的力度,所以常常会弄伤自己和拍档。”由于不让残障朋友因弄伤自己的事而感到内疚,嘉怡通常对自己的伤势只字不提。

在访问过许多义工后,笔者发现有些当义工的朋友都会有被身边朋友嘲讽的经历。“感谢主,这么多年来没有这样的情况发生。”嘉怡微笑地说。在嘉怡的社交圈子的成员中,只要他们在生活上看到或提到美门的活动,就会联想到她。她似乎成了美门的标志。

来到了加入艺术团的第六个年头,嘉怡表示从来没有想过何时退出的问题。“艺术团帮助我度过人生的低潮。每当看到艺术团的成员时,许多烦恼都会烟消云散,和他们在一起真的很开心!”笔者想这也许就是她可以长久待在艺术团的理由之一。

对于艺术团的未来期盼,嘉怡希望会有专业的舞蹈老师及更多义工朋友加入这个埋伏着不可思议潜能的团体。属于行动型的嘉怡表示她不擅长以言语来鼓励身边的朋友来当义工。对于那些有兴趣当义工的朋友,她只想说:“我已经踏出了我的第一步,接下来就看你们自己了。”

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

美门艺术团-5岁了!



团 长 有 话 说!

生 命, 总 是 有 梦 的。。。。

有 梦, 就 有 渴 望, 有 渴 望 就 有 追 求。。。。

您 可 曾 知 道, 艺 术, 它 是 我 们 酣 畅 淋 漓 表 达 对 生 命 感 动 的 肢 体 语 言。。。。

亲 爱 的 团 员 们, 我 们 都 一 起 做 到 了!

美 门 艺 术 团, 诞 生 于2003 年8 月, 并 在 马 来 西 亚 文 化、 艺 术 及 旅 游 部 副 部 长 拿 督 胡 亚 桥 的 见 证 下 成 立。 以 前, 我 们 是 从 几 位 热 爱 音 乐 与 舞 蹈 的 残 障 朋 友 所 启 发 的, 今 天, 我 们 能 成 为 全 马 第 一 支 由 残 障 人 士 领 导 的 艺 术 团, 我 们 也 不 只 是 曾 受 邀 到 各 地 演 出, 并 在 大 马 记 录 大 全 里 创 下 最 多 舞 蹈 员 的 轮 椅 舞 蹈 记 录, 也 代 表 大 马 参 与 国 际 残 障 文 化 艺 术 节。

您 们 可 知 道, 我 们5 岁 了!

今 年, 是 我 们 欢 庆5 周 年 的 大 庆 贺。 美 门 艺 术 团 在 此 衷 心 的 感 谢 所 有 团 员, 台 前 台 后 的 义 工, 经 常 协 助 灯 光 音 响, 以 及 所 有 关 心 与 支 持 艺 术 团 的 朋 友。
最 后, 我 也 盼 望 每 一 位 团 员 能 坚 韧 不 放 弃 的 携 手 共 同 一 起 迈 向 同 一 个 目 标。
愿 我 们 在 乌 云 满 布 的 时 候,总 是 想 到 彩 虹,而 不 是 大 雨。 愿 我 们 无 论 是 在 练 习 的 时 候, 遇 到 什 么 困 难, 我 们 也 不 离 队, 不 放 弃。

“千磨万击,还坚韧,任你东西南北风,不怕挫折地沿着目标去奋斗,才能享受到成功的果实。”

哪 怕 是 一 朵 残 缺 的 花, 也 想 献 出 全 部 的 芬 芳
哪 怕 是 一 棵 受 伤 的 树, 也 要 献 出 一 片的 绿 荫

“让 我 们 心 连 心, 用 真 诚 拥 抱 渴 望, 让 我 们 手 拉 手, 用 真 爱 挽 起 祝 福“

“Live Free” Fundraising Concert Main Performer: Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe

Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe


“Live Free” Fundraising Concert Main Performer: Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe

The talent of Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe will be showcased in the Live Free fundraising concert scheduled on May 30, 2009 (8pm) in Crossroad 77.

Beautiful gate was awarded the Malaysia Book of Records for the largest participants in a wheelchair performance in the year 2000. We also represented Malaysia in the International Cultural & Arts for the Disabled. Out of the love for the performing Arts, we manage to take up performing tour to Thailand, Singapore, Sabah,Sarawak, and all major cities in west Malaysia. All 14 states of Malaysia, we had been for charity performance.

Beautiful Gate Disabled Performing Arts Troupe was launched by Deputy Culture, Arts and Tourism Minister Datuk Fu Ah Kiow on August 13, 2003. It consists of 25 disabled performers and 5 volunteers.
We believes that disabilities do not prevent experiencing in beauty of arts, and aspired to bring to the disabled community, despite their disabilities, an aspiration to experience the beauty of Arts in this era.

Beautiful Gate hopes to provide an opportunity to the disabled community the joy of Performing Arts and allow it to be the media of communication with the society. It hopes to offer the disabled a future and hope of their own beside being an element of motivation of life to the able-body.

Objectives of Beautiful Gate Performing Arts Troupe are as follow:
To demonstrate the determination of learning and self development of persons with disabilities and transmit the message of determination effort to the public.
To increase accessibility, interest and understanding of the potential of people with disabilities.
To create job opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
To integrate people with disabilities with society .
To promote the greatness of loving and caring spirit

We have traditional dance, Ballroom dance, Modern dance, Hip Hop, Drama, Solo, and other media suitable for different tastes of varied audience. 
Source:
Note: The news was extracted from Life Haven, Inc. (The independent living movement of person with disabilities). One can access to them here.
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Friday, April 24, 2009

黑暗的世界、缤纷的色彩


我知道,草是绿的、天空是蓝的、这个世界充满着美丽和七彩缤纷的颜色。可是,我却诞生在一个没有色彩的世界里,我 看到的只有黑凄凄的一片,或者应该说,我什么都看不到,因为我不晓得那是不是叫着黑色。

我出生的时候原本是一个健全的孩子,当我六个月大的时候,不幸发了一场高烧,夺走了我的双眼。从此,我的人生注定要在一个没有色彩的黑暗里渡过。

爸爸妈妈为了我的将来,把我送到学校与其他小朋友一起上学。在我7岁那年,我就像其他同学一样,背着书包去上学。 在小学一年级到六年级,课室里只有我一个人是看不见的。

从小我的成绩就很不好,我没有心读书,考试也常不及格。所谓爱之深、责之切,父母亲担心我将来无法自立,常常都责骂我不用心向学。可是,他们越骂我,我就越觉得自己没有用,越觉得自己给家人增添了许多麻烦。

我曾想过放弃自己的生命,不要再让他们为我而操心了。还好这个念头,也只有想想而已。

文静又自卑的我,就在四年级那年被老师点名上台参加歌唱比赛,不敢拒绝的我就这样开始发觉到自己也有用的,我能唱,我爱唱。我能让家人看到我是有用的,不需要他们为我操心。

完成了初中五的学业后,我很高兴能随着盲人协会的一般朋友,教会的朋友和参与美门艺术团的团队到世界各地,用我 的歌声去感动人们,用我的歌声带给人们欢乐。

我的眼睛虽然是看不见,但是今天我有上帝给我的心眼,用我的嗓子,唱出我的心声。我找到了自己。原来,黑暗的世界, 也有美丽的音符,和缤纷的色彩。

只要你用心的去感受,你就能体会到了。

多重残障让我、舞出不同的天空

走路摇摇摆摆的我,很喜欢看表演,特别是喜欢看人家跳舞,心里曾经期待自己也可以摇摆起舞,但就是没有机会和勇气。

我是一名患有脑性麻痹症的残障人士,除了手脚不灵活外,我跟其他残障人士还有一个不同的地方,就是我从小就以手语进行沟通。因为,我听觉有些问题,同时也不能说话,所以,手语是我和人沟通的方式。

在许多人的眼中,我是一名多重残障者,又聋又哑又残障。。。

但我并没有因此而活得不开心哦!我在聋哑学校里有很多的朋友,家人给予我的爱是满满的,他们给我很好的教育。我不像其他残障的朋友没有一个温暖的家。这个是我要感恩的。虽然,我的情况比一些残障人士更严重,我的状况看起来也比较凄惨,但我从不觉得我的人生是悲哀的。

在我18岁那年,妈妈把我送到八打灵的一间残障中心,让我能学习独立。我看到很多不同残障情况的人在喜悦的练舞。哗!原来残障也可以跳舞啊!那是我第一次看到残障人士跳舞!感觉很不一样。

那个时候,他们把我拉进来一起跳,而我也很开心的尝试跟他们一起玩。不过,自从那次之后,每次练舞时,我只敢躲在一旁偷偷的看,我不敢再跟他们一起跳了,因为我感觉到摇摇摆摆的我,跳起舞来很难看。

一段时间过后,他们特别为我编了一些适合我的舞蹈,利用我摇摇摆摆的动作,成为呈献艺术的另一种方式。我开心极了。艺术原本就是诠释生活生命的一个平台,并不受限于任何一种的呈献方式。我的身体虽然因为残障而摇摆不定,但在音乐和舞台灯光设计的配搭下,却成为我呈献艺术的独有方式。

所谓天生我才必有用,这句老掉牙的谚语,其实蕴藏着很深很深的智慧。

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

萎缩的身体、飞跃的心灵


每当看到舞蹈员在台上跳舞的时候,心里就很盼望自己也能像他们一样,有双健全的双脚与双手,能喜悦的跟着音符来跳动。。。

以前,在孩童时期,我与别的小孩一样,活泼好动,经常在村里四处奔跑。但,这种天真烂漫,无忧无虑的乡村生活却在我8岁那年起了变化。当医生亲口证实我患上家族遗传的肌肉萎缩症时,我的心充满抱怨,我抱怨家人,也抱怨上帝。 从此,缠绕着我的恶梦,是那不听使唤的手和脚。

从那时候,我的生活开始在被限制的世界里,无论是面对着家人,同学等;关系也疏远了。我每天只能看着自己的手和脚慢慢的萎缩,心灵也被困锁在怨天尤人的枯井。

就在这个时候,一群残疾人在舞台上的表演,那美妙的舞姿,和优美的旋律,深深的震动了我的心。他们的身体虽然和别人不一样,但,他们同样也有梦想、同样也可以努力追求自己的梦。那一刹那,我震醒了。一种从来没有过的鼓励、信心、感受,撞击了我的心。我有如热锅上的蚂蚁,想用我整个身体,去感受这最美妙的声音。我也希望能像他们一样。
我告诉自己,虽然我的双腿无力,但我也可以坐着轮椅用我的双手与肢体来摆动啊!可是,当我想起自己一双弯曲不直的手,和无法打开的手掌时,我的心又冷了下来。因为,我的手作不到优美的手势,怎能用手来跳舞呢?

经过了好长的一段日子,透过身边朋友的鼓励,我开始用不同的眼光来看我自己,同时挑战自己用弯曲的双手,来跳出最美的心声。

从此,舞蹈、演艺,这种和音乐密不可分的艺术吸引了我。它是我看得见的彩色音乐,也是我表达内心世界的美丽语言,是我向上帝献上赞美的音符。原来,我被造乃有上帝奇妙的恩典,把我造成和别人不一样,那,我就能向他献上我不一样的赞美。

其实,每一个人的人生,都有园、有缺、有满、有空,这是你不能选择的。但你可以选择看人生的角度,多看人生的圆满,然后带着一颗快乐感恩的心去面对人生的不圆满。

每一个人,都有缺陷,只是看你如何去接纳,并把它化为一股感染力量,以积极正面的人生观去面对,散发出你七彩缤纷的生命。你就会看见,美丽的音符在你生命里面跳动。这一切,只在乎你愿意或不愿意。