The AFM Junior Club organised its ‘JIA Family Day’ this year on July 4th July. JIA stands for Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, the name given to arthritis that occurs in children and teenagers.
The family day is meant to give JIA-afflicted families a chance to grow closer as a family, while meeting other such families, to share experiences and create a network of friendship for on-going support.
78 participants from 19 families in two coaches left SelayangHospital before 9 that morning, arriving at the DeerlandPark in Kuala Gandah by 11 am. Adults and children alike were excited to learn about, and feed, the various species of deer at the park. Some had their pictures taken with a 2m long ‘batik’ python draped over their shoulders, while others were fascinated by the many birds, chickens, peacocks, rabbits, and even a mini hedgehog on display. There was also an ostrich to feed, and of course the park’s highlight, a close encounter with a fully grown black honey bear, who could be petted and stroked by the bravest of visitors.
After a filling and tasty lunch, the AFM party watched a video on wild elephant conservation, rescue and relocation at the Kuala Gandah Elephant Sanctuary before elephant actitivities began at 2 pm. The crowd petted and fed baby elephants, watched the bigger elephants bathe, rode on the elephants and even joined them in the river. All too soon, it was 4 pm and time to head back to KL, but not before we had to locate 10 missing children, who were found swimming in the river!
A tiring and successful day was had by all. Sentiments were summed up by one parent, who said, “ I’ve never seen my child this happy”. The AFM Junior Club registers its thanks to all who contributed to making this event a phenomenal success, in particular, Chan Li Jin and her husband, Kamal who volunteered their time and effort to help organise this trip.
