Oscar Pistorius. Photo from Time.com

I first heard of Oscar in an IFTF (Institute for the Future) conference. ITFT predicts that enabling innovation will transform disabilities to superabilities and gave Oscar Pistorius story as an example. Oscar had both his legs amputated halfway between his knees and ankles when he was 11 months old. With the help of Ossur and their J-shaped carbon fiber prosthetics, Oscar has been breaking running records and was almost prevented from competing in the Olympics because his “Cheetah Flex-Foot” is deemed to give him unfair advantage over able-bodied runners!

I, personally, would consider a rejection from the Olympics as a compliment if I was a double-amputee too. Just an fyi, the Olympic committee has since allowed him to compete in the Olympics. According to an interview he had with Telegraph UK, his sporting motto is “You’re not disabled by the disabilities you have, you are able by the abilities you have.”

I’d imagine lesser mortals would have just remained complacent with one’s disabilities. I have to admit I have been with mine. As a lesbian, I am unable to introduce many of my Malaysian friends and relatives to my partner. I am also unable to share gossip about my exes or my partner just as my straight girl friends do. I can’t plan a wedding or talk about having a child in the same capacity as they can. I suppose I can, except I will run the risk of being judged, prosecuted or even worse have my family judged and prosecuted for my actions. But as Oscar puts it, one is able by one’s abilities not disabled by one’s disadvantages.

So when I heard of TiltedWorld, I jumped at the opportunity. Here and now, we are able to speak our thoughts and express our hopes. We are able to get our message across and reach to people. Perhaps, this blog can be Oscar’s Cheetah Flex-Foot to the LGBT Malaysian community. Of course, like Oscar, we need to be physically and mentally prepared to overcome our disabilities. So friends and foes, bring it on!