Saturday December 4, 2010

No limits

By JOLEEN LUNJEW

Having a disability needn’t be the end of the world. The following people have made the most of their shortcomings and created a meaningful life for themselves and the people around them.

Their accomplishments are an inspiration to everyone.

Scientist Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking

Stephen Hawking, born in Oxford, UK, in 1942, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) when he was 21, a motor neuron disease that gradually left him almost completely paralysed. A tracheotomy operation in 1985 removed his ability to speak altogether.

Despite his severe disability, Hawking’s scientific work and research have contributed greatly to the fields of cosmology, theoretical physics and quantum gravity, especially in the context of black holes.

Hawking has 12 honorary degrees and has authored many acclaimed publications. He is the recipient of many awards, medals and prizes, among them the CBE award in 1982, the Companion of Honour in 1989 and presented with the National Medal of Freedom in 2009, the highest civilian honour awarded in America. He is also a Fellow of The Royal Society, UK, and a Member of the US National Academy of Sciences.

Tuah Atan

Lawyer Tuah Atan was born without legs and has a deformed left hand.

Despite being born without legs and a deformed left hand, civil and syariah lawyer Tuah Atan, 50, who hails from Tanjung Kling, Malacca has been an active advocate for disabled people in Malaysia. A law graduate from Universiti Malaya, Tuah was instrumental in drafting the Disabled Persons Act 2007.

For his services, Tuah was accorded the Guinness Award 1998, Junior Chambers Youth Award 1995, Malacca Human Resource Award (disabled person category), Malacca Disabled Person Award and Malacca Tokoh Maal Hijrah (professional category) 1996 and Tokoh Maal Hijrah (disabled person category) 2008.

Henry Wayoinke

Kenyan-born Henry Wayoinke lost his eyesight in 1995, at age 21, after suffering a stroke. Despite being blind, Wayoinke held fast to his dream of becoming a successful runner. With the help of his childhood friend Joseph Kibunja as his guide, he went on to win many gold medals in the Paralympic Games, setting and holding world records.

Blind runner Henry Wayoinke (right) from Kenya.

Besides excelling in athletics, Wanyoinke is a respected philanthropist. He is involved in various charitable activities in Kenya, particularly to assist the poor, persons with disabilities, orphans and other less privileged people. His Henry Wanyoike Foundation was set up to assist disabled people, orphans, vulnerable children and youths and families in need.

He is also a Goodwill Ambassador for Standard Chartered Bank’s “Seeing is Believing” campaign that seeks to restore the sight of the visually impaired around the world.

Nick Vujicic

Nick Vujicic, born without arms and legs, is a motivational speaker and author.

Nick Vujicic was born in Brisbane, Australia in 1982 without any arms or legs. He has two small feet, one of which has two toes. Throughout his childhood, he struggled with loneliness and depression but as time went by, he turned towards God to give him hope.

Vujicic started a non-profit organisation Life Without Limbs when he was 19, giving motivational talks and sharing on how God changed his life and gave him a future of hope.

At 28, Vujicic has accomplished more than most people do in a lifetime, travelling around the world inspiring millions, from teenagers to international corporations. He published his first book this year Life Without Limits: Inspiration for a Ridiculously Good Life.

Liu Wei

Liu Wei lost both his arms at age 10 when he was electrocuted during a game of hide-and-seek. His dreams of becoming a musician led to him learning to play the piano with his feet at 19. His hard work paid off when only four years later at 23, he impressed the audiences and judges of China’s Got Talent Show with his moving performance and won the title in Oct 2010.

Pianist Liu Wei who is armless, plays piano with his toes.

Among his many uplifting quotes that touched the hearts of audiences worldwide were, “At least I have a pair of perfect legs” and “There are only two paths in life — either to give up and die, or to live a brilliant life as much as is possible.”