A dance competition for children with disabilities was held at Persatuan Pemulihan Sultan Azlan Shah, Ipoh (PPSAS). The event was organised by the Occupational Therapy Unit of PPSAS in conjunction with Occupational Therapy Day.
Invited guests on the cheerful day were Mr Minoru Ikegami, Volunteer Coordinator from Japanese International Corporation Agency (JICA), Malaysia, JICA special education volunteer, Mr Tsubasa Imai and Ms Anna Lim, a training manager at Day Break Centre.
The event commenced with a welcome speech by Chief Executive Officer of PPSAS, Ms Regina, before the dance-fest kick-started. Some 25 children participated in performing entertaining dance routines as trained by their enthusiastic parents and caregivers. All participants were divided into two categories, first ranging from three to nine years old and the latter, aged 10 to 18 years old.
While waiting for the results, in-house JICA volunteer occupational therapist, Mr Ippei Kawasaki entertained the audience with a sweet rendition of a Japanese song entitled ‘Sukiyaki’ accompanied by Mr Tsubasa Imai on acoustic guitar. One of PPSAS’s former clients, Ms Cheah Quick Lim also took to the stage to perform a special dance which captivated the audience.
Winners in the first category were Nur Fathiah Adawiyah as the second runner up, Muhd Ikhwan Farish, the first runner up and first place was Kam Xi Yee while in the second category, Puhgalhenthaan took the first prize followed by Nur Rahmat Akhmal Idrus and Murphy. Judges for the competition were Mr Minoru Ikegami and Ms Anna Lim.
This competition is an annual event at PPSAS with the objectives to improve the children’s self confidence and cognitive skills and an effort to allow special needs children and those with disabilities, to assimilate themselves into society and also to encourage them in building their self-esteem.
As one of the major players in the rehabilitative services, PPSAS, since its establishment in 1982, has rehabilitated some 8102 registered clients. The centre that provides multiple disciplinary services such as rehabilitative therapies and social development assistance and integration for persons with disabilities is operating daily on weekdays from 8am to 4.45pm.
Contact details: Lot 158413, Lorong Bercham 11, Bercham, 31400 Ipoh. Administrator: Ms K. Regina Tel.: 05 548 1905 (Ms Susan / Ms Lina) Fax: 05 548 1066 Operating hours: Mon-Fri (8am-1pm & 2pm-4.45pm)