Kubang Kerian: A tragedy 32 years ago, when a bus frame collapsed on him while he was repairing the heavy vehicle, caused mechanic Mohd Rosdi Osman to suffer spinal cord injuries, making him dependent on a wheelchair for his daily routine. Although paralysed from the waist down and holding a person with disabilities card, Mohd Rosdi, now aged 56, never lost his spirit to rise again from immobility, eventually becoming capable of modifying manual wheelchairs for those who share his paraplegic condition.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the tragedy occurred while Mohd Rosdi was repairing a damaged factory bus at a workshop in Pengkalan Chepa. Due to a technical error, the front part of the bus suddenly fell on him, injuring his spinal cord. His rehabilitation treatment began at Wisma Kayu Hospital Kuala Lumpur while bedridden, but after four months of rehab sessions, he was able to sit up.
Continuing his story of transformation, the father of three who lives near Kampung Kubang Badak began challenging himself to become a customer-specific wheelchair modification technician at the USM-MAIK Disabled Transformation Centre in 2022. Leveraging his nearly 29 years of experience and knowledge as a mechanic, he mastered the skills of repairing and modifying wheelchairs according to the needs of the disabled, repairing and customising at least three wheelchairs a day, including wheel damage.
Mohd Rosdi said that among the wheelchair modifications offered are consultation services for selecting a wheelchair based on type, size, and usage before further evaluation is carried out. Some patients require a wheelchair that suits their condition, including foldable needs like a bed rest, armrest, footrest, reclining and so on to prevent skin sores. These elements are realised through modification, with prices ranging from RM130 to RM700. He has altered over 300 wheelchairs according to world standards.
He said that after a wheelchair is customised, he personally test-rides it to ensure it is in good mobile condition, easy to push and suitable for the disabled, following guidelines issued by the World Health Organisation for wheelchair modification. The service is offered to all disabled groups, who can also receive training and learn better wheelchair usage at the USM-MAIK Disabled Transformation Centre, to become more confident in handling a wheelchair for mobility to continue their daily routine.