Should the government subsidise transport for the disabled? The disabled find it difficult to travel around Hong Kong because some forms of public transport are unsuitable for them. On some buses the entrances are too small and there are no ramps, so people in wheelchairs cannot get on. More money should be spent so buses can be adapted to let people in wheelchairs get on. Disabled people should get subsidised transport. Many of them earn less than able-bodied people and yet they have expenses to meet. Some disabled people have to go to hospital for physiotherapy and they have to find a way of getting there. A transport subsidy would make it easier for them to make these necessary hospital appointments. Wallis Ip Hiu-yan, Yuen Long Should public hospitals do more for patients with severe brain damage? I am writing in response to the report, 'How can a doctor say such things' (October 2). Fok King-hee is the father of a boy 'who has been in a persistent vegetative state after collapsing at home' in January. Mr Fok was complaining about what he feels is insufficient care for patients with severe brain damage in public hospitals. He feels the government should do more for such patients. I do not think public hospitals should do any more than they are already doing. First of all, the cost of hospitalising a patient suffering from severe brain damage is very high, so it is unfair to the other patients if the hospital does more for someone with a brain injury. I think Fok Hin-chung's family should also seriously consider the medical advice they were given, when a doctor told the family that an operation to treat Hing-chung's hydrocephalus 'would be very risky and probably useless'. It is the role of public hospitals to provide basic treatment for all patients. Cathy Tsang, Tai Kok Tsui What do you think of the zero-carbon park proposal? The government plan to build this kind of park is good news for those of us who care about our environment. Mother Earth has been suffering over the past few decades because of our extensive use of fossil fuels - coal, oil and natural gas. This has led to many environmental problems, in the region and globally, such as greenhouse gases, global warming and acid rain. The carbon-neutral park, as the first environmentally friendly park in Hong Kong, will help promote the concept of preserving the Earth. It also helps promote the use of renewable energy such as solar power and wind. It will help reduce the release of carbon dioxide. Tiffany Chan Chung-tak, Quarry Bay I think it is a brilliant idea to build a zero-carbon park in Wong Tai Sin. As pollution problems are getting worse on our planet, it is time for us to act. Even though such a park will not bring about instant changes, I strongly believe that, in the long run, it will make a difference. Zero-carbon parks are beneficial to our health and well-being. I would like to see the extension of areas with greenery, especially when it comes to developments in Hong Kong. For example, I think it should be made compulsory for construction projects to include such areas in their plans. We must act now to try to repair the damage we have done to our environment. It is important to act before it is too late. Rocky Ng Lap-wing, Tseung Kwan O On other matters... I refer to Jan Bochenski's complaints about all the 'red tape' involved with becoming a sailing instructor (Talkback, October 9). He is not alone. You name a recreational activity or sport with a governing body (if that is what you can call it) in Hong Kong and you'll find the same obstacles. Sport in Hong Kong is business. For every sport there are a select few who decide on who can become an instructor. The government is not really helping by creating as many steps as possible and helping the governing body maintain their monopoly on conducting assessments. A lot more people, young and old, would get involved in sports if it weren't so difficult to get going. I have given up on becoming an instructor/coach in Hong Kong for archery, kayaking, climbing, sailing and mountaineering. My certifications from countries like England and Australia do not seem to carry any weight. Take archery, for example. I competed in the national championships in the Netherlands and yet the Hong Kong Archery Association asked me for a certificate to show that I actually attended a beginners' training course before allowing me to participate in the sport. They made me start as a novice before being able to move on to beginner, intermediate and ultimately advanced level. I guess it's easier to import the wannabes from the mainland. Those in office can brag about Hong Kong's achievement while they do nothing about developing sports in the city. Most of those 'achievers' who have represented Hong Kong have not even lived in the city. Oh yes, and did I mention that many athletes have to pay their own way to get to competitions overseas, even when they officially represent the Hong Kong SAR? Ken Chan, Tai Po There are many parents who leave their children home alone when they go to work. This is an unacceptable practice. I have some suggestions about how to deal with the problem of parents who cannot afford an amah or babysitter. The government could build day-care centres in those areas where they are needed. Parents would not be charged for using these centres. Instead, when they were not working, they would volunteer their time in the centres. The government could also pay for professionals who would offer advice to parents so they could deal with the problems they face. Parents could also exchange babysitting responsibilities. For example, if they were friends, they could take turns, with one set of parents looking after the children while the other parents were at work. Grandparents could also help with babysitting responsibilities. This is a problem that should not be overlooked as in the end it is children who pay the price. Children are a special gift. They should not be left alone and afraid. Michele Ann Kalish, South Bay
