Update: Zhenghua Secondary School had nothing to do with this incident, according to organiisers Zhenghua Citizens Consultative Committee, it was a VOLUNTEER and not the staff from the school (letter is in Extended Body below). So nobody needs to say sorry, lah, just express regret only.
Of course must give up the handicapped lot for the VIP. Or else the VIP won't have strength to give out the Edusave scholarshop from all that walking, then how?
As Apollo from SPUG forums said, maybe they also took into account the VIP's handicap... in golf.
From ST Forum, 16 Jan 2005:
Disabled lot kept for VIP
I WAS annoyed and disappointed at the way I was treated by a teacher or staff member of Zhenghua Secondary School.
On Jan 8, I was invited to the school for the presentation of the Edusave scholarship award for my son.
I arrived at around 4.45pm and parked my vehicle at a parking lot designated for the handicapped. However, a woman (either a staff member or teacher) approached me and said I was not allowed to park there as the lot was reserved for a VIP. Even after I had told her that I am a handicapped driver, she insisted that I move away.
I had to forgo the presentation that day.
Are lots for handicapped people reserved for the disabled or for VIPs?
Our government agencies are trying to integrate disabled people into mainstream society, but how can that happen when school staff or teachers do not show the way?
Ringo Om Kim Chai
[post continues in Extended Body...]
From Sammyboy forums:
A response from Sammyboy forumer, Mr Goh
The writer, who is a handicapped, is obviously very confused. Being a handicapped does not entitle him to have first rights on all things. Yes, it is unfortunate that he is a handicap. But how he makes of his handicap is his choice. Does his handicap entitles him to demand that he be serve first, regardless of the situation? His writing to the press to voice his unhgapiness further compound his handicap.
It is important that readers do not confuse sympathy for a person's handicap with the importance of the occasion. By naming the school and the VIP, what did he hope to achieve? That handicap people like him has to be serve first?
He would have been wise to seek a solution there and then with the teachers attending to the carpark. He has to bear in mind that a "handicap person's" parking lot is a priviledge, not an entitlement.
To compound matters, he wrote to the press and naming the school and VIP. What did he hope to achieve? That revenge is sweet? That handicap people cannot be pushed around?
Let's get back to the event of the day. It was a prize presentation. VIP was invited. School set aside the lot for a VIP. Mr Handicap came and was sholve away. He is upset, and wrote to the press to embarass the school and teachers. Did it help his purpose?
My advice is, Mr Handicap, learn to swallow your pride. A priviledge does not extend to a entitlement. Already, most drivers will tell you that the number of handicapped parking lots in major shooping centres are such a waste and out of whack with the proportion of handicap drivers on the road.
The teachers and principals are earning a living. It is already hard to get good people to be committed to teaching and bringing up the young. And having to deal with retarded person like you.
My conclusion is that an eye for an eye serve no purpose. You only show that you are not just physically handicap but mentally retarded as well. Obviously, you need a lot of education.
From ST Forum, 19 Jan, 2005, reply from Zhenghua Citizens Consultative Committee:
Disabled carpark lot meant only for disabled
PLEASE refer to the letter, 'Disabled lot kept for VIP' (The Sunday Times, Jan 16), by Mr Ringo Om Kim Chai.
We regret that Mr Om was both annoyed and inconvenienced by the incident on Jan 8 as a result of which he missed the ceremony to present a scholarship award to his son where several VIPs were invited to grace the occasion.
Mr Om is absolutely right that disabled carpark lots are reserved for the disabled.
We would also like to clarify that the person involved in the incident was a volunteer and not an employee of Zhenghua Secondary School. In fact, the school was very kind to extend its facilities to us for the event, for which we are most grateful.
We will ensure such incidents do not recur in future.
Once again, we apologise to Mr Om for our handling of the incident.
Chai Chon Fah
Chairman
Zhenghua Citizens Consultative Committee
