Xmas cheer for special needs kids
Children treated to gifts, contests and performances
KUlai: Ten-year-old M. Vishnu Durga (pic) was happy to receive a gift for Christmas Day.
The kidney patient at the paediatric ward of Hospital Sultan Ismail said she had never received a Christmas gift before.
“It was very exciting to receive a present from Santa Claus.
“I was hoping for a colour pencil set but I am happy with anything,” she said at the event yesterday.
She did not want to open her present, saying that she wanted to do it when she is allowed to go home.
Vishnu received a colouring pencil set during the event organised by Le Grandeur Palm Resort and the Johor Baru branch of the Malaysian Red Crescent Society. She also won a prize for winning the colouring contest.
Vishnu was among 80 chronically ill children at the paediatric ward and 20 special needs children from Hope Garden Johor Baru who were treated to the Christmas party.
Her mother M. Saraswathy, 38, said that Vishnu was diagnosed with a swollen kidney at the age of two and has been on medication since then.
“She cannot take salty food or sweet drinks, so it has been a real challenge to feed her.
“I have to take her for checkups once every three months. Otherwise, she is just a normal girl who loves to play and do colouring,” she added.
Muhd Syahir Amar, 15, said he enjoyed the magic show although he disliked being in crowds.
He suffers from severe asthma and rhinitis (irritation and inflammation of the mucous membrane inside the nose).
His mother Ruzaimah Shamsuddin, 41, said that he cannot be exposed to large crowds as he could easily catch a disease.
He has panic attacks if there are too many people around him, she added.
“However, we cannot keep him in complete isolation as the attacks might just worsen, so we try to bring him for this kind of events which gets him interested,” added Ruzaimah.
Le Grandeur Palm Resort general manager Jef Kong said the event was to spread cheer to the special children.
“Christmas is about the spirit of giving as well as receiving.
“We hope this message of generosity, compassion and tolerance regardless of religion, creed or race will be an example to the future generation,” he said.
During the party, the children joined a colouring contest.
They were later entertained by a magic show with balloon sculpturing. They were also treated to a buffet lunch while Santa Claus made an appearance at the end of the event bearing gifts.