Even though the Olympics season is over, the spirit still lingers here at Monash University Malaysia. Come join us for this year’s EDI Week with the theme “Paralympics,” where we celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of each one of us. The event was hosted on September 4th, 2024, with a lineup of various activities.

Four booths were located across The Foyer, attracting the attention of passersby. The first booth that caught my eye was The Physical Booth due to its extravagant setup. A massive pull-up bar and a bowling arena were set right around the booth, with people queuing, excited to flaunt their muscles. Feeling dauntless, I decided to try the pull-up bar. After all, it’s just a pull-up, right? In reality, pulling the entirety of your body mass with your arms alone is not as easy as it looks. Although I did not succeed in my attempt to earn the currency, this humbling experience was surely a life lesson!

Moving on, I visited the hearing booth called “Silent Echoes.” The objective was quite obvious as headphones were neatly laid out on the table. The game was simple: a whisper challenge! One participant had to mouth a sentence while the other, wearing a noise-cancelling headset, had to decipher it. When it was my turn, I got the sentence “she is eating a banana on the table,” which I miserably failed to figure out. However, it was definitely worth the attempt as we left for another booth, full of giggles.

The next station was the vision booth, where participants were asked to complete daily mundane tasks, such as tying shoelaces, putting a book or pencil inside a tote bag, and folding a t-shirt. But there was a twist: you were blindfolded. The struggle was real with this one! Things I usually do without breaking a sweat became really frustrating as I had to rely on my other senses to complete the tasks. It was truly a challenging experience.

Upon finishing the last task, I realised how inspiring it is that people with disabilities persevere through their physical impairments. This event served as a reminder that, despite our imperfections, we can still achieve great things. Most importantly, giving the spotlight to our friends with disabilities fostered a deeper sense of connection and empathy, emphasising the importance of visibility. By sharing their stories and showcasing their achievements, we were reminded that everyone has unique strengths and challenges, which deserve recognition and respect.

Written by Teresa

Photos by Ezriq