The Feel

Since my op, I have been moving in and out of my house, going to places. And I must say that I have the privileges of being a "handicap" and also a fair share of being stared at for my temporary disability.

A day after my op, it was birthday cum farewell chalet for a few friends. Since weeks ago, emails have been sent out inviting me to attend. Then I already knew that I probably would not be able to but the host left the invitation open. The resort security made a thoughtful move to fetch me on a buggy to the unit so that I do not need to walk too much. It's not a long distance if I was able to walk normally. It was a privileged ride :D

Then yesterday, there were 2 sent offs for the same friends going away. I chose the 2nd one as they are a few hours apart and I was very sure my dad would not agree to let me out that early. It was not a long walk but it took like forever for me to cover that short distance. I was quite touched at the point when I had to go to the toilet, the cleaner aunty saw me inching to the handicap toilet, she immediately came forward to help me open the toilet door. That was a service which I never had experienced at the airport before. Now you probably can guess why we are the No. 1.

And then a friend and I moved on to a dinner meet-up. The restaurant was double storey and they were nice to allow me to go by the short cut at the side door. I was touched by their gesture. And it was also at the mall that I see the typical Singaporean how they behave towards people who are handicapped. As I was walking to the toilet, the corridor leading to it was quite in, I stucked to one side of the walkway giving way to people who also needs to go to restrooms. Ok, I stucked to wrong side. Cos when I was walking in slowly, some people are just insensitive enough to take extra steps to avoid me. They chose to head on with me. Fine. When I was walking towards the restaurant, the cleaner aunty plus her trolley head-on also at me. I actually stopped to see where she wants to go. Then only she stopped. It was a small space that was around me. It was spacious enough for her to avoid me. And then, this teenager who is just so engrossed in whatever he was holding in his hand, almost bumped into me.

The best part. When I entered into the restaurant via the side door, 1 table of diners stared at me. Like they have never seen a person walking on crutches, like why I could enter via that side door.

Well, in all I won't say Singaporeans are insensitive. I had nice neighbours who gave way to me. The nice and thoughtful aunty at the airport and those I've met at the medical centre. I guess I'm just fortunate to have met nicer thinking and considerate people. I can't say anything as a whole yet, will still need time to discover.