Sudden Accident Of Shahidul Alam (17th)

He was nearly finished towards the finishing point of his proffessional life. He was heading towards the extreme point, which all mariners dream of. After this point life is much more enjoyable than ever before. To reach this destination all had to struggle hard step by step.

Professional exams consist of Academy exams, class 3, class 2... then comes the Master part. To become Master of a ship one has to sacrifice time, money, family etc. Shahidul completed his Masters in South Shields of England. Back in home in his home city Dhaka he was waiting for placement in a ship. Meanwhile, he, his wife, wifes relative planned a trip to Chittagong to some of their relatives house.

The trip ended up with diving in a swiming pool. This diving with head forward caused a thrust after getting contact with the water. This thrust twisted his neck causing a neck bone to break. This broken neck bone affected the spinal cord, which is the key factor for transmitting all our known, unknown wishes from the brain to the body.

The severity of the damage depends on which height the spinal bone is damaged. These spinal bones start from right behind the brain... go down to underneath the waist. For the ease of understanding, they are labelled by our scientists. The upper most spinal bone is known as C1, the next one is C2 and so on. Shahidul's damage was on C5 to C6. This causes all limbs to become paralised. The legs are totally inactive. The hands are inactive under the elbows. There are no senses below his chest.

In short, his mobility, means his movement was severely hampered. Electric Power wheelchair is one of the best option to increase mobility of disabled people of this kind. So, it was very wise decision to take up a project like this to help Shahidul.

Computer And Internet - Escalated This Project

Right after the accident, there had been obvious recurring tragedies in Shahidul's life, which are needless to mention. These very humiliating incidents and degradation of his quality of life smashed his mind with extreme agony and brought upon immense frustration and consistent anxiety.

This is when his batch mates (fellows of 17th batch) brought along a 486 monochrome personal computer to divert his attention from his pains. The year was 1995 and it was really a great effort by his friends.

Not that he became a computer "Guru", but it definitely changed his attitude towards life. Soon he began to see everything positively. His computer became his all time companion. A strong bond built between this machine and human.

Though he got his PC but it was not until 1998, he could manage to get an Internet connection. He started his Internet linkage through dial up modem.

Soon he got Capt. Abdullah in the Internet, who was a resident in USA already launched very successful Bangladeshmariners.com web site. Shahidul became interested in web sites after seeing this and other web sites. He requested tips of building web site from Capt. Abdullah, which he gladly gave. Moreover, he inspired Shahidul to build his personal web site.

Shahidul picked up most of the tricks very easily. Initially he took up web space from geocities and built his personal web site. This web site renamed as http://www.daruchinidip.com/ is now situated on Capt. Abdullah's web space which he gave away Shahidul for free.

In short, first the computer, then the Internet served as key factors to connect both these persons eventually to step forward towards creation of this project.

Capt. Abdullah, The Master Mind

There had been numerous correspondance between Capt. Abdullah and Shahidul Alam regarding launching and implementation of the project. Capt. Abdullah after discussing with many put forward this project proposal to Shahidul Alam. Shahidul was initially reluctant and doubtful about the success of this project. He almost lost faith in everything. But because it was a question of co-operating with Capt. Abdullah, he had to agree.

Following are the 1st 2 mails for this historic project:

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From: "Capt. Shaikh M. Abdullah" <sabdullah@gogcl.com>
To: <msalam@mail.citech-bd.com>
Sent: 21 June 2002 21:48
Subject: Need your quick input
Shahidul;

Request a quick and just input.

What kind of mechanized wheelchair is suitable for you? From where those can be bought and what may be the prices? Give the price and specs for the most expensive to the least expensive equipments.

I will not pay for it. Planning to raise the money for it. This is still in planning stage; I am hoping to be successful. You don't have a choice here because I am managing it. I need your full input to get a lasting machine which will provide you maximum comfort and mobility. Mobility is the key.

I know nothing about Quad mobility help. If I am asked to start a spec I will write the following:

1. Chargeable battery operated, robust battery and charging construction
2. Capable of accepting Voice command
3. Capable of handling non-smooth surface
4. If possible Radio, TV and Internet wireless hookup
5. Self boarding and disembarking
6. Capable of making noise and project voice to request help .............. I am thinking

Send me quick answer.

Thanks,

Best regards,

Capt. Shaikh M. Abdullah
Manager IT
Shiptrade, Inc.
General agents for Global Container Lines
100 Quentin Roosevelt Blvd
Garden City, NY 11530, USA
Phone: (516) 222-0707 Ext: 7729
Fax: (516) 222-0377
E-mail: sabdullah@gogcl.com
Web: www.gogcl.com

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From: "Shahidul Alam" <msalam@citech-bd.com>
To: "Capt. Shaikh M. Abdullah" <sabdullah@gogcl.com>
Sent: 22 June 2002 14:32
Subject: Re: Need your quick input

Dear Abdullah Bhai,

Assala-Mu-Alaykum.

I don't know what to say.... I really appreciate what you and other good people want to do.... and I also know that I cannot resist you from doing this....

However, if you are determined then I will do a search in the Internet and talk to people about this and let you know after that.

But, so far I have seen, simple mechanised wheelchairs to hitech mechanised wheelchairs range from 1500-7000$. There are number of Web sites who sell in the Internet. I think, if you can give me the idea how much money may be collected, then I can give you the specs of chairs of that price range.

Regards to your family.

Please take care.

Yours,

Shahidul Alam
House 413, Lane 7, Joarshahara DOHS
Dhaka - 1206, Bangladesh.
Phone + 880 (02) 8829354
http://geocities.com/msalam7

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[ Shahidul was not quite right. Because later on it was found that prices were much higher than expectation in the usual western markets. It was a miracle Shahidul found out one Taiwanese market and intended take a risk and give a try. Capt. Abdullah investigated about that company and gave a green signal. ]

How Capt. Abdullah Approached The Community

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Help!! Request your help!!
A Wheel Chair for a Paralysed Mariner

Published on 24 May 2003

Mr. Shahidul Alam, Master Mariner, a Cadet from the 17th batch of Marine Academy, Chittagong, a brilliant student from Mirzapur Cadet College, Mymensingh, a gentle and nice mariner is totally paralysed for last ten years due to a spinal cord injury. He can not move any part of his body except very slightly his right arm and head, not even his fingers.

His wife left him after five years of his injury, then on he is managing himself with the help of two attendants and his aging parents. He can not be cured with available medical know how. His life is getting more and more difficult as he is approaching mature age. We need your kind help to raise a fund to provide him with an Electrical Wheel Chair. Please help and encourage others to help a fellow mariner. We are all counting on YOUR help.

Customised Electrical Wheel Chair and accessories are expensive and is not available in Bangladesh. Plan is to procure and customise the chair and accessories from Singapore or USA.

Wheel Chair for Alam (WC4Alam) Project

Goal:
Once completed Mr. Shahidul Alam will have a rechargeable battery powered electronically controlled quality Wheel Chair, a lifting arrangement, projected maintenance resources and affordable supports.

Approach:
Eleven or more Coordinators from different parts of the world will organise, collect and hold the fund for final aggregation and disbursement. Coordinators will declare and appoint Deputies to facilitate the fund raising as needed. However, Coordinators will remain responsible for any collection by their Deputies.

Requested minimum contribution amount:
Mariners are requested to contribute as much as they can, upholding the generous nature of mariners. Will be requested to avoid contributing less then US $100.00 or its equivalent.

Contributions from Non-mariners:
Contributions from declared individual non-mariners are welcome. Coordinators on their own judgment may request and accept funds from socially acceptable organisations.

Please contact any one of the following persons to contribute to this noble cause

Confirmation of contributions:
If the contributor do not object, name and location of the contributor will be published in a list in this site. Contributors who does not want to see his name published may substitute a phrase for his own identification on the list. Name or identification will only be published once a coordinator actually accepts the responsibility of receiving the contribution. A separate list of higher amount contributor will also be published without the mention of actual amount.

Real time balance:
Coordinators will be able to see the whole balance sheet continuously on a password protected webpage for clarity of transactions, progress and suggestions.

Project Coordinators:

Canada Mr. Mir Aslam Azhar (17th) +1905 574 4158  aslam.azhar@sympatico.ca
USA Mr. Refayet Amin (20th)         +14198613695    refayet@yahoo.com
Ireland Capt. Badiul Alam (14th)     +353214979903  badiul@cit.ie
UK Capt. Ehsan Baig (16th)            +441914215464  ezbaig@hotmail.com
UAE Capt. Mehdi Billah (17th)        +97150 4547838 mehdib@emirates.net.ae
Kenya Capt. Abid Choudhury (11th) +6567547267    achoudhury@alalmsa.com
Dhaka Mr. Aminur Rahim (16th)       +88011 859279  an@global-bd.net
Chittagong Mr. Muztaba Reza (14th) +880171723877 muztaba.reza@lr.org
Singapore Mr. Sanowar Dito (14th)  +6564897414    sdito@singnet.com.sg
Australia Mr. Abdul Hannan (11th)   +6126259 2591 abdul.hannan@amsa.gov.au
Korea Mr. Kutub Chowdhury (14th) +82522500232  kutub.chowdhury@dnv.com

Project Ombudsmans:
Canada Mr. Mafizur Rahman (13th) +1905 575 3974 mrahman@sympatico.ca
Singapore Capt. Shaidul Islam (14th) +656 7547267 shahid@promship.com

Timeframe for Fund Raising:
Fund raising will come to a close once enough fund is raised to meet the goal comfortably.

Project Retreat Plan:
If by 31 December 2003, it appears that acceptable amount is not achievable, after a small waiting period, Coordinators will arrange to return all contributions to original contributors deducting expenses. This step will remain open for discussion and deliberations among Coordinators.

Avoid Contacting Mr. Shahidul Alam:
Please avoid contacting Mr. Shahidul Alam directly on this Fund Raising initiative. Also request contributors not to contact him in this issue.

This Web site & Capt. Abdullah:
Capt. Abdullah will centrally manage the fund raising. Capt. Shahidul Islam (14th) and Mr. Mafizur Rahman (13th) will act as Ombudsman for this project. This web site will not be responsible for any contribution.

Please contact any one of the above persons to contribute to this noble cause

How It Was Organised And Persons Behind The Scene

[Following are from Mr. Dito Sanwar, which describes it best.]

The project “Wheelchair for Alam” or “A helping hand” as locally known was initiated by Capt S M Abdullah to raise fund worldwide in order to assist our ill-fated colleague, Mr Shahidul Alam (17th). The main purpose is to fulfil Shaidul’s aspiration to be self depended, as far as practicable, in his fully disabled physical life.

Initially Capt Abdullah contacted his close associates worldwide to form a team to coordinate the drive regionally. A few names of able persons were suggested to him for Singapore. However, he decided to entrust the responsibility to me considering mainly simplicity in communication and understanding.

Prior appealing in public, the matter was discussed here among a small group of Bangladeshi Mariners. For transparency and authenticity of this delicate act an informal Committee was formed comprising Capt Shahidul Islam (14th), Mr Noor Ul Karim, Mr Rafiqul Quader and myself.

All the key issues were decided/vetted by the Committee. A target (revised) of ten thousand Sing dollars was set and as a policy we agreed upon on basic “approach strategy”. Sharing with you, we opted for “not to pressurise anyone for contribution”. A purpose-opened bank account was used for accumulating collection in Sing dollars.

Slow but steadily we already reached our target. Therefore, presently, we are almost at the close of the phase – raising fund. The next phase, purchasing of the wheelchair and lifting gears is already on project designer’s table. However, my request to those who due to theirs busy schedules could not be a part of this remarkable event for Bangladeshi Mariners.

As mentioned earlier I was rather a pick-up than an able person, honestly speaking, my contribution for the project is negligible. Recalling our strategy for approach, the main credits goes to the Participants who extended their generosity spontaneously rather than persuading. However, I bothered some of you few times that was more a gentle reminders basis on your good intention (pledging). I beg apology unreservedly should I had offended anyone in this process.

I feel obliged to mention few names here. Firstly, the Prominent shipping, Singapore, its Chairman Mr Mahamound Noussier is the highest individual contributor of the fund raised here. And it’s Management Capt Sohail, Capt Shahid and Mr C M Parvez played a vital role in it. Among our fellow-members Capt S M Sabed’s contribution is highest. Mr Mohiuddin Farooq did a good job in collecting the fund from his fleet - Petroships, Singapore. Last but not the least, it was my pleasure to work with the so-called “Informal Committee Members”- Mr Karim, Mr Quader and my friend Capt Shahid - my heartfelt thanks to them.

To me this was not a simple fundraising exercise but an experience of fellowship and bonding. During the proceeding, I observed a strong emotion among us to assist others especially in need. I wish this unique attitude would be everlasting. And, let this event be a landmark in our future activities.

On behalf of the organisers I take the opportunity to thank you all once again. 

Let us jointly give a hand to unfortunate Shahidul in making his life a bit more meaningful.