Stepping Out With Cha Cha

An Active Life is a Happy Life for Gurmukh S. Rukhra

You can’t help but feel an instant connection with Gurmukh S. Rukhra. He’s a friendly guy. Polite, jovial, funny. But try pronouncing his name correctly on the first try!

“My Canadian friends call me Cha Cha,” he laughs, “It’s easier to pronounce.”

More than ten years ago, Cha Cha had to quit his full time job at Commercial Plating because of problems with his knees. They were giving out on him. After eighteen years of heavy lifting, they just couldn’t take the strain anymore. With his only source of income dried up, he was not only un-employed, he was also disabled. He wasn’t sure where to turn for help.

Then, one day as he was listening to an Indian program on an ethnic radio station, he heard about SMD. Taking down the number, he immediately called and says it’s one of the best things he’s ever done.

After a few months, SMD helped Cha Cha with finding new employment. He became a companion for an elderly doctor who, as a result of many strokes, had become severely disabled. Cha Cha would help feed the doctor lunch and supper, and the two spent many hours together getting to know each other. One icy day in November, Cha Cha’s son picked him up from work. Unfortunately, they were in a car accident and the injuries he sustained were enough to prevent him from continuing on as the doctor’s companion.

“After two weeks’ time, he did not survive,” says Cha Cha. “I don’t know if he missed me or what, but he was gone. I loved him very much and I really miss him,” Cha Cha says of his friend.

Besides receiving massage therapy through SMD, Cha Cha also attends SMD’s Breakout program during the summer.

As part of the program, Cha Cha gets to choose a variety of outings he would like to attend. They’ve gone everywhere from the Forks Market, to days spent at various parks across the city, including Assiniboine Park. This summer, Cha Cha will enjoy outings to Gimli, Folklorama, Kildonan Park (where he’ll enjoy a barbeque) and Rumors Comedy Club. “I like that place,” he says of the comedy club, considering himself a bit of a comedian.

"In the winter, they take us shopping to Polo Park, to movies and to the Imax theatre at Portage Place."
When jokingly asked to share his real feelings about Easter Seals and SMD, Cha Cha enthusiastically replies, "I love it!"

A big advocate for SMD, Cha Cha says he is always praising the organization, telling anyone who will listen about all the help and support he's received over the years.

"SMD has helped me a lot!"

SMD is a family of organizations that work together to improve the lives of persons with disabilities in Manitoba.

All of the activities and services provided through SMD are partially funded by Easter Seals Manitoba.

Easter Seals has been helping adults and children with disabilities reach their highest level of independence. Today, over 1500 Manitobans rely on Easter Seals, through SMD, to provide programs and services including Case Management/Counselling, Work Experience, Services for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Adults, Computer Training, Vocational Assessment, Employment Services, Life Skills Programming for Adults and financial support.

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