Getting To Know Yip Pin Xiu Beyond Swimming
Her World Singapore|March 2023
She's a world record-breaking swimmer, five-time Paralympic gold champion, and a strong advocate for people with disabilities. Out of the water, who is the real Yip Pin Xiu?
Cheryl Lai-Lim
Getting To Know Yip Pin Xiu Beyond Swimming

Yip Pin Xiu is a glass-half-full kind of person. It's not just because of her easy smile or her warm, upbeat personality. Nor is it that despite being diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) (a disorder that causes nerve damage and weakens the muscles), she has pushed past her physical limitations to win five Paralympic gold medals and one silver.

Rather, it's her uncanny ability to accept situations that are beyond her control, like her disability. "To be honest, I can't imagine life without CMT. I would probably be a very different person," she shares, noting that she might not even be a swimmer. ("I would be an accountant, maybe?" Is she good with numbers? "No, not really.") The 31-year-old had a joyful childhood, but she also recalls spending her formative years with her parents trying to treat her condition. Eventually, she knew that it had to stop. "I was probably around nine or 10 years old, but my mum recalls me telling her: 'Let's not waste any more money doing [the treatments] as the doctors have already said that it cannot be healed.' I knew that we'd tried everything we could, and that there was really nothing else that could be done. At a certain point, I accepted it, and just wanted to live my life." By the time she turned 13, her leg muscles had severely weakened, and she had to increasingly rely on a wheelchair.

Rather than viewing the wheelchair as a handicap, she saw it as increased mobility. "It was already so difficult to walk when I was 12 years old, so much so that being on a wheelchair actually felt like relief for me," she shares. "It was more of a mindset shift. A lot of people might view it negatively, but for me, I was excited that I now had wheels, for it gave me so much more independence."

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM HER WORLD SINGAPOREView all
Heritage in a Bottle
Her World Singapore

Heritage in a Bottle

Crafted by Swiss perfumer Christine Nagel, Barenia is the first chypre fragrance from Hermes, a seductive scent that is a dance between the delicate butterfly lily and the vibrant burst of miracle berry.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Is my adult acne caused by hormonal changes?
Her World Singapore

Is my adult acne caused by hormonal changes?

Quinn Chen answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
BEST IN CLASS
Her World Singapore

BEST IN CLASS

MOVING AWAY FROM INTRODUCING ENTIRELY NEW PRODUCTS, BRANDS SUCH AS SHISEIDO, CLE DE PEAU BEAUTE AND SULWHASOO HAVE CHOSEN TO GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD TO ELEVATE TRIED-AND-TRUE FORMULAS. THESE ICONIC CLASSICS ARE MORE EFFICACIOUS AND LUXURIOUS THAN BEFORE.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
Sneak Peek
Her World Singapore

Sneak Peek

We've got our sights set on these new must-haves that promise to breathe new life into tired-looking eyes.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
ACTS OF SERVICE
Her World Singapore

ACTS OF SERVICE

Beauty brands are enticing customers with a range of in-store treatments and services that offer expert tips, demonstrations and pampering.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
BREAKING DOWN THE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID
Her World Singapore

BREAKING DOWN THE BENEFITS OF HYALURONIC ACID

Here's why this popular skincare ingredient is a potent fix for dehydrated complexions.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2024
November favourites
Her World Singapore

November favourites

Here are some of the must-haves you will not regret adding to your beauty shelf.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Against the rules
Her World Singapore

Against the rules

Step into the dark side with grunge-inspired moody tones and smoky, smudgy eyes.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2024
Is it ever a good idea to engage in online discourse?
Her World Singapore

Is it ever a good idea to engage in online discourse?

Sarah Bagharib answers.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2024
GO WITH THE FLOW
Her World Singapore

GO WITH THE FLOW

Half a month in Mongolia living with nomadic families and exploring the country's storied beauty taught senior advertising strategist Uli Chan the beauty of impermanence.

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2024