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Colleen Lee

Disabled Form Five student Ma Chik-yiu says she will pursue her dream of becoming a designer regardless of her public exam results, due to be released today.
The 21-year-old was born with  spinal muscular atrophy, which has left her wheelchair-bound with weak hand muscles.
'I am quite nervous now,' said the student at the John F. Kennedy Centre, a school for children with disabilities. 'I expect to get more than  10 points.'
In the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, the maximum score is 30 points, culled from a candidate's best six grades. Students who get an A in a subject accrue five points and a B translates into four points.
'I have to get at least eight points and pass Chinese and English languages to get a place in Form Six at my own school,' Ms Ma said. 'I am  a bit worried that I won't  pass English.'
This year, she sat exams for seven subjects, including Chinese language, English language, maths, geography, economics, computer and information technology and visual arts.
'I wish I could study design at the Polytechnic University in the future because I like art very much and want to bring happiness to others. My hands are feeble, so I can neither make pottery nor draw big paintings ... but I always try to do my best within my limits.'
Ms Ma  said her hands and neck got tired easily, so she could study up to only three hours a day.
'I managed to finish Form Five  although it was so hard for me. I hope other candidates can be as persistent as me and never give up their  dreams.
'I won't give up [my ambition of becoming a designer] even if I can't get ideal results this time,' she said. 'I want to be a useful woman. I am sometimes disappointed when I do not  get good grades at school even though I have studied hard.'
In a survey of 947 HKCEE candidates by the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, from July 14 to 30,  39.2 per cent of respondents said they were nervous about today's release of the public exam results.
Some 42.8 per cent of students polled said  their own expectations had put pressure on them while 33.9 per cent said they were worried that they would not get a place in Form Six.
Where to get help
The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups 2777 1112 (until Wednesday),  with MSN: f5@27771112.hk and chat room: www.27771112.hk
Hok Yau Club 2503 3399 (until Thursday)
Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui 8203 9071 for students and 8203 9070 for parents (in operation today)
Caritas Hong Kong Youth and Community Service 2337 1600 (until Thursday)
Hong Kong Council of Social Service 187 8668 (then press 176)
Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong 2389 2222
APM online radio and counselling chat room: www.apm-millennium city.com



Marks won't dash designer dreams