Late activist's work reminds us everyone counts - Commander S THAYAPARAN (Retired) Royal Malaysian Navy

Malaysiakini : “He taught me to look at things differently, for which I am eternally grateful. He made me realise that every one of us will be disabled one day, some more than others, but all of us will be disabled one day.” - MBPJ councillor Derek Fernandez

COMMENT | I want to be clear. Anthony Thanasayan was not a “disabled” rights activist, he was a human rights activist. If you ever had the good fortune of talking to Anthony you would understand where I am coming from.

Micheal Conneley’s fictional cop Harry Bosch said: “Everybody counts or nobody does.” This sums up Anthony’s history of activism. Disability is part of our shared humanity and while Derek is right about every one of us being disabled one day, the reality is that everyone knows someone - family or friends - who are dealing with this aspect of humanity or is supporting those who are disabled.

I cannot claim to know Anthony (above). Over the past two decades, we met not by design but by happenstance. I remember those conversations clearly although the context and environment they took place in are hazy. Perhaps that is the effect of the disability that comes with age.

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