Blind Feeling

Blind people are also human being with the same needs as us. We should respect them like how we want others to respect us.

I have a long 25 years friendship with two blind girls. We shared many happy and sad times together. Through marriage, death etc. we went through it all step by step. I love them for their generous heart and positive thinking.

Three months ago, one of them lost her mother and a month later her youngest brother, both to cancer. To overcome her sadness, she would tell her story to everyone she meets. Recently one of her customers told her off saying what does a blind person know of pain or sadness when they cannot see. The customer continues to verbally abuse her by saying that blind people are so lucky they can get money monthly from welfare even though thousand are been retrenched. This customer stays in Sri Hartamas and is well off. If that day I was present I would have slapped her. One do not need eye sight to feel pain and sadness. Even an animal can have feelings.

I would like to set the record straight for the benefit of those who do not know about the allowance from the welfare. To qualify for the allowance which is RM300.00 per month (that is the same amount for the past 25 years) she has to get the commission of oath to sign stating that she is blind. Second she must secure a letter from the company stating he/she is working full time and earning less than RM1,200 per month. Third every six month the welfare officer will do a review to state whether he/she still qualifies for the monthly allowances. Fourth you cannot disturb or offend or refuse to buy something from the welfare officer. Once you get into their black list you are finish for life. But a mere three months of allowance into the officer’s pocket can settle-lah.

My girlfriends do not have fix income. On a good month RM800, the lowest can be only RM460. The allowance from the welfare goes into rent. So utilities, essential needs and food depends very much on their earnings. So imagine if you have kids or offended the officer. Yet they remain positive.