MORE ROOM FOR S'PORE TO BE KINDER SOCIETY

Paralympians grateful for support in sports but seek understanding, empathy in daily life

- Deepanraj Ganesan

Even as Singapore's Paralympic heroes lapped up the cheers and support of their fans during the open-top bus parade on Sept 14, they also wanted to deliver a strong message to the nation.

Life in Singapore as a person with disabilities (PWDs) is not as smooth sailing as their bus riding through the city, and para-swimmers Yip Pin Xiu a double gold medallist in Paris - and teammate Sophie Soon have called for a kinder and more empathetic society.

While appreciative of the support they have received in their sporting careers, both athletes said they have faced discrimination.

Yip, 32, was born with CharcotMarie-Tooth disease, which causes the progressive loss of muscle tissue and touch. She has used a wheelchair since her early teens.

She shared that she has had irritable Grab drivers complaining about having to help with her wheelchair, and bus drivers showing frustration when setting up ramps.

She said: "Sometimes people here may not be very nice. When you face this kind of things once, you don't really want to do it again, then you get very discouraged from leaving the house. Even I face all this, so I cannot imagine what else others face. It would be even tougher for them. Society here still needs to be kinder and a lot more empathetic."

Soon, 27, was diagnosed with cone-rod dystrophy as a child, a condition which causes deteriorating vision.