[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/5-inspirational-people-with-disabilities-to-look-up-to\/#NewsArticle","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/5-inspirational-people-with-disabilities-to-look-up-to\/","headline":"5 Inspirational People With Disabilities to Look Up To","name":"5 Inspirational People With Disabilities to Look Up To","description":"Not all heroes wear capes! Have you ever thought about how many People with Disabilities (PwDs) live among us? According to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, there is an approximate 2.1% prevalence rate of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) among the student population, 3.4% among those aged 18 to 49, and 13.3% for those […]","datePublished":"2020-11-16","dateModified":"2022-04-15","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/e-lyn-tham\/#Person","name":"E-lyn Tham","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/author\/e-lyn-tham\/","identifier":66,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/722f685b02ed9cd4b78c8df212ebc1654b73489382b53ce430214c5fa92c0d0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/722f685b02ed9cd4b78c8df212ebc1654b73489382b53ce430214c5fa92c0d0c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"TheHomeGround Asia","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/photo_2021-07-22-222533.jpeg","width":640,"height":640}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1605491479885_news_people-with-disabilities_featured.jpg","url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/wp-content\/uploads\/1605491479885_news_people-with-disabilities_featured.jpg","height":1123,"width":1600},"url":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/5-inspirational-people-with-disabilities-to-look-up-to\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c","name":"UNDEFEATABLE","description":"Great Eastern presents UNDEFEATABLE, an extraordinary performance powered by 4 artists who refuse to let their disabilities take centre stage. \n\nLook out for the art they\u2019ve created to present their journeys, feel their passion for their craft. Then find out what brought them together, and how you can live #lifeproof against future disabilities at http:\/\/sg.gelife.co\/MV \u2013 with GREAT CareShield.\n#GreatEasternSG #GREATCareShield\n\nT&Cs apply. Protected up to specified limits by SDIC.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jcBtEeWJl7c\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jcBtEeWJl7c\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jcBtEeWJl7c\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jcBtEeWJl7c\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/jcBtEeWJl7c\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2020-10-26T09:18:47+00:00","duration":"PT1M","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/jcBtEeWJl7c","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCJQGBYYq2Yd8wQnmk36G0uQ#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCJQGBYYq2Yd8wQnmk36G0uQ","name":"Great Eastern SG","description":"For 117 years, we have been helping customers across generations by protecting, preserving and growing what matters to them. As One Great Eastern Group today, we are enabling the goals of over 15.5 million customers by taking care of their needs across life, health, wealth and general insurance, consistently innovating to help them #ReachforGreat! \n\nGot a question for us? We're here to help! Direct message us (http:\/\/m.me\/greateasternsingapore) from 9am \u2013 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays. Alternatively, call 1800 248 2888 or email us at wecare-sg@greateasternlife.com.\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/tTVzXnkKVikMpYGTsEvM6c7kwEbxlzEWLXaN5b4XdccL1d9BnZtYBUy9NIVlkr_lICHR7-r9=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":184143}],{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=jcBtEeWJl7c#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_LikeAction","interactionType":{"@type":"LikeAction"},"userInteractionCount":29}]},"about":["Community","Local","Singapore"],"wordCount":792,"articleBody":"Not all heroes wear capes!Have you ever thought about how many People with Disabilities (PwDs) live among us? According to the Ministry of Social and Family Development, there is an approximate 2.1% prevalence rate of Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) among the student population, 3.4% among those aged 18 to 49, and 13.3% for those aged 50 years and above.\u00a0What does this mean?To put that in perspective, about one in seven individuals aged 50 and above are living with a disability! SG Enable defines \u201cdisability\u201d to be categorised into physical, sensory, intellectual, and developmental disabilities. Such a disability can be caused by unexpected events that throw life\u2019s wildly off course, or as a result of medical complications or diseases.\u00a0klimkin\/PixabayOther than affecting how one lives his or her life, a disability can bring about tremendous financial woes. Burgeoning medical bills, coupled with the struggle to accept one\u2019s new circumstance, might also negatively impact one\u2019s mental health.\u00a0One isn\u2019t \u2013 and shouldn\u2019t! \u2013 be defined by his or her disability.In Singapore, the National Council of Social Service strives to ensure that this is made known to all, with various programmes that help include PwDs in the community. SGEnable is another treasure trove of support channels for children, youth, and adults who suffer from disabilities.\u00a0In 2019, a MOM survey also reported that almost three in 10 PwDs \u2013\u00a0who are of working age! \u2013 are employed.Be inspiredHere are some real-life examples of Singaporeans who embraced their disabilities, and turned it into one of their strengths:Michael QuekIndeed, according to Michael Quek, who suffered a stroke in 2005 that rendered him wheelchair-dependent, \u201cdisabled doesn\u2019t mean unable\u201d. He was hired by the Adrenalin Group, where PwDs make up 30% of the employees. Ricardo Chua, the managing director, eagerly anticipates the day when hiring PwDs becomes the norm across all companies, distilling it down to simply giving PwDs \u201cthe opportunity\u201d.Michael has worked for the Adrenalin Group for over nine years, where he puts his graphic design training to good use as a photo editor and mentor for new hires.Yip Pin XiuYip Pin Xiu\/FacebookDid you know that Singapore\u2019s youngest Nominated Member of Parliament is also a gold medalist Paralympian swimmer? Yip Pin Xiu has certainly made history despite suffering from genetic muscular dystrophy, which affected both her muscles and eyesight.\u00a0Fun fact: by 2008, the year that she clinched the gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics, she had already won a total of 38 gold medals from various competitions. She\u2019s a true inspiration for all!Sim Kang WeiDespite being born with cerebral palsy, a condition that affects overall dexterity, Sim Kang Wei has contributed more to the local community in more ways than you can ever imagine. Besides being a trained counsellor at a Voluntary Welfare Organisation, he actively raises funds for charities. In 2013, he was the esteemed recipient of the National Youth Council\u2019s Stars of Shine award, which showcases youths who serve as role models for their peers.\u00a0Kang Wei has always struggled with normal tasks growing up, which spurred him to help others like him.\u00a0David Aitabir, Melvin Ong, Sophie Soon, Zoe ZoraGreat Eastern Singapore\u2019s recent #Lifeproof campaign shines the spotlight on the topic of disability, featuring four creatives who, despite living with disabilities, continue living life on their own terms. Pushing the message of \u201cour disabilities don\u2019t define us, our dreams do\u201d, the campaign encourages individuals to start thinking about their long-term coverage plans.David AitabirMadanlal Aitabir, otherwise known as David, is a recovered paraplegic who has been able to walk again after undergoing surgery. When he was diagnosed with his condition, he turned to using his skills as a tattoo artist to tide him through the days.Melvin OngOng was the victim of a spinal cord injury, bringing his career of being a freelance video technician and cameraman to a screeching halt. He became wheelchair-bound and semi-bedridden; however, he didn\u2019t let that stop him in his tracks, continuing to manage Green Spell, his own apparel line.Sophie SoonDespite having cone-rod dystrophy which results in progressive vision loss, Sophie Soon has continued blazing a path as a violinist and National Paralympics swimmer.\u00a0Zoe ZoraZoe never let her paraplegia stop her in working hard for what she wants to achieve. Working as a programme manager for an inclusive running club, Zora is also a model and stylist.Life is what you make it; and as shown by the above individuals, no obstacle of any size is going to stop them in their tracks. We salute them for being inspiring role models for us all! Join the conversations on THG’s\u00a0Facebook\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram, and get the latest updates via\u00a0Telegram."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Destinations","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Singapore","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/\/singapore\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"5 Inspirational People With Disabilities to Look Up To","item":"https:\/\/thehomeground.asia\/destinations\/singapore\/5-inspirational-people-with-disabilities-to-look-up-to\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]