Paraplegic athlete climbs Hong Kong skyscrapers in his wheelchair

(CNN) -

On Saturday, Hong Kong residents saw paraplegic athlete Lai Chi-wai grab onto his wheelchair and climb the glass panels of the city's skyscrapers.

For more than 10 hours, Lai managed to rise more than 250 meters in an effort to raise money for patients with spinal cord problems.

"He was pretty scared," Lai said.

"When climbing a mountain, I can hold onto rocks or little holes, but with glass, all I can really trust is the rope I'm hanging from."

The event raised US $ 670,639 (HK $ 5.2 million) in donations.

Lai Chi-wai speaking to the press after climbing 250 meters up a skyscraper in Hong Kong on January 16.

The 37-year-old climber was paralyzed from the waist down after a car accident 10 years ago.

Prior to that, he had been crowned Asian champion four times in rock climbing, and at one point had ranked eighth globally.

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After his accident, he climbed again by attaching his wheelchair to a pulley system and using the force of his upper body to get up.

Five years ago, he ascended the 495-meter-high Lion Rock Mountain, a local popular culture symbol of Hong Kong's strength and courage.

“Apart from living, I wondered what was driving me.

So I started to pursue that, knowing that there was a possibility that I could climb mountains, even in a wheelchair, ”Lai said.

"In a way, I forgot that I was a disabled person, I could still dream and I could still do what I liked."

On Saturday, Lai was unable to reach the top of the 300-meter-high Torre Nina due to security concerns.

But, he said, he hoped his promotion could send a message.

"Some people do not understand the difficulties of disabled people, some people think that we are always weak, we need help, we need support, we need the mercy of the people," he said.

But I want to tell everyone that it doesn't have to be this way.

If a disabled person can shine, at the same time he can generate opportunities, hope, light, he does not have to be seen as weak.

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