Burns victim recognised as outstanding citizen
A 25-year-old who suffered severe burns to 60 per cent of his skin is one of the recipients of the Ten Outstanding Young Persons awards this year.
Stanley Cheung Yun-hang was 12 when he was caught in the Pat Sin Leng hill fire in 1996, which killed five people. He lost all the fingers on his right hand and his vision and hearing on his right side were damaged.
The awards, organised by the Junior Chamber International Hong Kong, are given to those aged 21 to 40 who have excelled professionally and made a contribution to the community.
Cheung got a bachelor's degree in psychology in America and is now studying for a master's degree in social work at Chinese University.
Cheung said the accident had made him realise how close everyone was to death and how he should live a full life.
'I am interested in psychology because I needed to know how I could lead myself out of my mental and physical misery,' he said. 'After several years of mental struggle, I have come to accept what I have, and I am determined to help lead others out of their misery.'
His mother, Maria Lai Tak-ching, said: 'I am delighted my son's dogged belief in his ability has been recognised. He has had more than 100 operations ... but he has been very strong. He's grown mature in the process, and that has educated me, too.'
This is an edited version of an article published in the South China Morning Post yesterday
