The glorious moment of athletes sweating and boarding the podium is behind decades of hard training blood and sweat.
For people who are born with defects, it is more important to break the barriers through exercise to break through the sky.
"I treat the pool with the pool water as my friend." Zeng Peiyi (Gigi), who was diagnosed with mild intellectual disability since childhood, is a disabled swimmer of the former Hong Kong team and played in the Far East and South Pacific Paralympic Games.
"Water" is like giving her a second life, not only changing her solitary personality, but also returning her to the right track, which has led her astray.
At that time, due to economic pressure, he was forced to give up swimming. Unfortunately, he failed to represent the Hong Kong team in the Paralympic in his career as an athlete.
Looking back, she has only a small wish: "(The government) has no support before and after retirement... It would be great if there was a small life support at the time."
Gigi looked at the photos of the Far East and South Pacific Para Games, and pointed to himself wearing a hat in the back row.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Zeng Peiyi (Gigi) always looks excited whenever he talks about swimming, and when he recalls the game, he dances and dances. "I have never tried to step on the platform before I read my name from Hong Kong. I am really happy for a moment."
Swimming changes withdrawn personality
She was diagnosed with mild intellectual disability since she was a child, which led to her withdrawn personality when she was a child. “I don’t play with classmates, and I hide by the wall without making a sound.” At that time, it was “water” that broke the barrier of the world. “I will The swimming pool is the same as my friend.” After learning to swim, her personality became lively. Apart from learning to communicate with others, she also discovered her strengths, “You can express your expertise through sports.”
She has represented Hong Kong in international competitions three times, including the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Thailand in 1999.
After many years, Gigi still remembered the photos at the time and shared that the event was freestyle. "Like He Shibei, if you didn't retire at that time, you should have a chance to participate in the Paralympics."
It was Gigi's regret that he failed to compete in the Paralympics due to economic pressure.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
Economic pressure was forced to retire, only to be funded to buy swimsuits
The Paralympic dream was not over, all because of the family financial pressure that year, the need for a full-time job, was forced to give up school and swimming.
She recalled that because she needed to participate in training almost every day, she had to take care of her studies, and she had no time to work. In addition, as a member of the Hong Kong team with disabilities, she was only subsidized to purchase swimsuits and other equipment. It was difficult for a family to receive CSSA Livelihood.
Recalling the starting point, if the government was willing to provide subsidies to them at the time, or can stick to their dreams, "the government has not helped me... there is no support before and after retirement."
In the 1999 Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Thailand, the third from left in the back row was Gigi.
(Respondents provide pictures)
There is no support before and after retirement.
If you have funding, you may stick to your dreams.
Former disabled Hong Kong team swimmer
It's hard to make bad friends by mistake after retiring
She currently lives in a tenement house in Yuen Long District, and she is climbing up the stairs. Behind the iron gate is a subdivided room.
About two years ago, she moved out of the unit where she lived with her family and rented a 100-sq.-ft. subdivided unit on her own. The monthly rent was about 6,000 yuan. She said it brought some financial pressure.
After retiring from the military, he worked in the catering industry and also worked in a job-seeking hospital, but repeatedly hit a wall.
It’s hard to find a job, and even make friends by mistake. Fortunately, a social worker enrolled in a lifesaving course with the help of a social worker.
"Water" once again brought her life back on track, and finally succeeded as a lifeguard. "When I received a call, I thought about my dreams, and I was happy to hit the street and hit myself." For Gigi It’s certainly important to find a stable job, and even more important is to be able to return to the pool, "Seeing people swimming, it feels like I’m swimming."
When I was young, I re-affirmed myself through swimming, and when I grew up, I got back on track through the swimming pool.
(Photo by Huang Shuhui)
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