Success Stories

Long-jumper Sayaka Murakami is hoping not just for a medal at the postponed Tokyo Paralympics, but also for lasting acceptance in a Japanese society where disabled people can feel pressured to stay out of the public eye.

Blake, who has a genetic bone and muscle disorder and stands a little under 4ft (1.2m) tall, couldn’t find jeans or dresses in her size. Paging through Glamour and Cosmopolitan magazines, she didn’t see a single person who looked like her.

From afar, Rollen Marakim and Asri Arshad look like two ordinary footballers having a kickabout on the field. Get closer, however, and you’ll find out that they are hardly ordinary, but rather, quite extraordinary.

Many an able-bodied person would shy away from starting their own business. Then again, many do not have the courage or tenacity to deal with the hard knocks of running a business as do Farid Zainuddin, 31 and Idzham Azahar, 20.

Mohd Afiq Barni thought his life ended when he was severely injured in a road accident seven years ago. When he woke up after the crash, he was told that he had suffered a spinal cord injury and would not be able to walk again.

Nguyen Nhat Minh Phuong in the past often gave donations to worthy causes or organised charity events for people with disabilities. But she realised one day that she wanted to do much more than that.

Doctors said it was unlikely for James Low Hong Ping to live beyond the age of two when he was first diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). However, Low not only survived beyond that age, he defied all odds to become an exemplary constitutional law scholar and disability rights activist.

Bill Johncock and his differently-abled son Logan have gotten pretty accustomed to rolling with the punches over the past year, as Dad has pushed them – quite literally – toward a big running goal: the 2020 Boston Marathon.

Eye On The Ball, an inspiring docu-film about the Malaysian national blind football team, drew glowing reviews from the audience at its gala premiere, including from a few famous names.