Deafness does not stop duo from volunteering at Games
KUALA LUMPUR: Much like the athletes competing in the 9th Asean Para Games, two women aren’t letting their disabilities hold them back.
Elaine Yee Chek Yin, 29, and Isabella Choo Yuit Peng, 34, are both deaf but have decided to become volunteers for this year’s Games.
The two, who have been friends since their school days, were invited to take part by a mutual friend.
“This is the first time I’m volunteering. I’m hoping to learn a lot from this experience,” said Yee.
Both Yee and Choo will be helping out at the National Aquatic Centre during the swimming events.
Choo, who is also volunteering for the first time, said she was concerned that her disability might create some confusion between her and her peers who could hear.
“It’s more difficult because I’m deaf, but I will try my best. It’s a new experience for me,” said the graphic designer.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian spirit rang true in the contingent of student volunteers who helped make the opening ceremony a success.
One such group of 150 volunteers hailed from Institut Profesional Baitulmal (IPB).
One of them, who wanted to be known as Wan Nurul Hanim, 20, said she volunteered to help promote her university.
“I also wanted to show Malaysians that youths can help to make everyone proud of Malaysia,” she said.
Wan Nurul Hanim, who had never been to the Para Games before, said she was curious to see how the events differed from the SEA Games.
Nurul Fatehah Imani, 19, was also part of the group. It was her first time volunteering for an event of such a scale.
“It’s fun. Even though you’re tired, you get to meet new people and work together,” she said.
Mohd Nizamuddin, 30, who works in IPB’s student affairs department, said the university was also involved in the SEA Games last month. A different batch of 150 students was involved then.
Students are a noticeable component of the approximately 4,000 volunteers at the Games.
Muhd Izzul Fikri, 20, who is studying at Malaysian National Defence University (UPNM), said he had been involved in volunteer duties for the past three years while studying.
“The Para Games show that there is no difference between a disabled and able-bodied person,’’ he added.