“NO disability is a liability, everything is a speciality.” 

This is the motto of Raaginee Shalesh, who employs workers with special needs at her restaurant in Puchong.

Raaginee, who founded Pusat Jagaan & Latihan Insan IMC in 2004 with her husband Shalesh@Rajasingam, opened the restaurant in July which offers those with special needs opportunities for employment as well as to learn new skills.

IMC Restaurant is staffed by special needs workers and and regular workers under the supervision of Raaginee.

The 47-year-old Raaginee said she wished to correct the wrong impressions that people had of the disabled.

“Some people even say things like, if you know you’re having a special child, just kill them in the womb. Just kill them!” she said.

“I really can’t agree because if I can transform these children to do things like you and I, I think they have a future and they can work like normal people.

“So I created this restaurant for them to have work, to earn income, so that they don’t need to feel that they always have to ask parents for money to buy their things and so on.

“I want to remove the stigma and bring (positive) awareness.”

She said the restaurant business offered workers the chance to learn many useful skills.

“(They learn) Not only cooking but things like welcoming guests, how to maintain cleanliness, sweeping, mopping, carrying trays, displaying food, how to use money, how to speak to customers.

“Give them a chance and you’ll see wonders. That’s what we’re doing here,” said the mother of three.

Raaginee said it was not easy running a restaurant but she had received overwhelming support from her employees and their parents.

“To start a restaurant is not easy but they make me feel less worried. They give me encouragement, they give me joyful moments when they say, why are you so worried, the time has come. I want to show you, whatever you’ve trained me to do, I’m going to put it out now’.”

She hopes people will continue to frequent the restaurant to support the workers.

“I want customers to come, visit our place and give them the support. Nothing great I’m asking for. If you come and drink one cup of tea, they get something.”

The restaurant has 13 special-needs workers. – August 18, 2019.