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Tuck Chong is a
quadriplegic. which
literately mean paralyzed in
all 4 limbs. He got his
injury in 1990 when he was
still a sailor. After a
night out drinking with his
friends, he fell off the
escalator at the MRT
station. That left him
confined to the wheelchair
permanently. Even though he
could use his shoulder, arm
and wrist, he had very
limited control over his
fingers. He pushes the
wheelchair by rubbing the
bony part of his palm on the
outer ring of the wheel. he
could feed himself but needs
the wife to bathe him and
clear bowel.
In 1996, he went for a
tendon transplant which
enables him to have a better
grip and control of his
finger. Tuck Chong had
always liked to paint but
because of family
commitment, he had to put
his love aside. But now with
time on his hand, he decided
to pick up painting again.
It was not easy but with
perseverance sand
determination, he was able
to overcome all
difficulties. It became his
hobby. So far he has more
then a dozen of painting at
his 4-roomed flat in Jurong
West. With his wife staying
at home to take care of him
and the daughter going into
polytechnic, his hopes to
turn his hobby into
something more practical, to
earn some money.
After showering every
morning, he would go to the
void deck to see his friends
and talk about everything
under the sun. Then he goes
home to have lunch, followed
by 2 hours of painting
session with a 15 minutes
break in-between. Tuck Chong
likes nothing better then to
go to handicaps Welfare
Association every wed for
therapy, to meet up with
friends and have a hearty
meal together. |
