My Longkang

What is life like for a paraplegic? Very different from a non-paraplegic to say the least. Two documented cases I read was about an artist and a teacher. The teacher became a tuition teacher and the lady became an artist by painting with her mouth. Unfortunately I read it years ago so I don’t have the links.

For Mathew Singka, a bubbly 33-year-old ex-tour guide at Mulu National park, he thought his days of active sports was over after falling from a mango tree and becoming paralyzed from the waist down. He and five others in the same predicament were overwhelmed by the opportunity offered to them by the Borneo Scuba Diving and Adventure Center (BSDAC) to experience scuba-diving.

Mathew said , “I was interested in scuba diving years before the accident but I didn’t know who to contact as there was little information on the sports at that time.” Matthew is a member of the newly-formed Kuching Spinal Injuries Association (Kusia).

BSDAC diving instructor, Edward Yong said, “Normally, we breathe with our nose but for scuba diving, we use our mouth instead. After mastering that, the learners only need to relax and enjoy the beautiful underwater sights.”

Remember March 25th. This is a worthy cause and ingenius in its conception to bring a better life for paraplegics. Bring more meaning to their lives and also be an inspiration to us all.

A charity and fund-raising drive will be held at Kuching City South Council swimming pool by Kusia and BSDAC. The launching will be by Social Development and Urbanisation Minister, Dato’ Sri William Mawan Ikom, on March 24.

To read more, here