Work Together, Walk Together：I am not Going to Build Walls Around Me

Although persons with disabilities are different from the general public, they can pursue targets and dreams as long as they keep on going.

Cecilia, who lost her sight at the age of three, grew up in the Mainland. She came to Hong Kong to reunite with her family at 14 years old, and started to receive formal education. She spent six months studying hard to catch up with primary school curriculum, and eventually gain admission to Primary 4. After that, she kept on studying until her graduation from the university. Then she started working at the “Dialogue in the Dark Exhibition”. Her colleagues have never doubted her ability to work and take care of herself. Cecilia was deeply impressed by the people and things she came across when she arrived in Hong Kong, especially the social workers and teachers who cared about her. Not only did they help her soothe her emotions and get to know the world, but also prompted her to study a Master programme in counselling after graduating from the university, such that she could help the others as an experienced hand. Although Cecilia encountered many difficulties because of her identity as a visually impaired person, she did not negate herself for being different, as she knew that she has the right to pursue her dream.

Bobby started to work with Blackie KO, the famous stuntman, in the film industry when he was 10-odd years old, and he witnessed the most prosperous period of Hong Kong film industry. After Blackie passed away, Bobby earned his living by driving cross boundary coach. However, a traffic accident took away his two legs. After the accident, he spent a few years to get used to his body afresh and learned to perceive limit as limitless. By a happy coincidence, he got an electric wheelchair as present and was able to get around freely from then on. He obtained the driving license again and started to drive modified taxi. Driving helps him retrieve the feeling of being equal to other people just like before the accident. Since then, he has been determined to help other people. He helped people repair their electric wheelchairs with his mechanical knowledge gained when he worked in the film industry. Presently, Bobby mainly focuses on managing his Hong Kong-style café, while sometimes he drives taxi as a part time job, repairs wheelchairs for free and does other voluntary work. The business of his café gets on track gradually with the help of his friends with disabilities. Apart from pursuing his business, Bobby also utilises his mechanical knowledge to help other wheelchair users as an experienced hand. He always says, “After losing my legs, I own more than before.”