Armless Cherie Yeung turns a tragedy into a life of inspiration
Cherie Yeung lost both arms when she was nine and has spent the years since inspiring others with her remarkable achievements
Cherie Yeung Siu-fong is just like any other schoolgirl - she has just sat a public exam and in her free time she likes painting, swimming and doing volunteer work - except she does it all without her arms.
The 23-year-old lost both arms to the shoulder in an electrical accident when she was nine, but it did not stop her from exploring her talents and pursuing her dreams.
She has swimming training three days a week after school and has taken part in various competitions. She also likes running and has participated in 10-kilometre events.
Using her toes to hold a paint brush, she specialises in Chinese painting and is hoping to work in the art industry.
Because of the perseverance Yeung has displayed in overcoming such great obstacles, schools have invited her to speak and encourage others.
"I believe I have many other talents even though I am not good at studying. Everyone should live to follow their dreams," she told pupils at S.K.H. Tsang Shiu Tim Secondary School in Sha Tin.
She is speaking at the Open University today.
Yeung said her family had thought of giving up on her after she lost her arms, as they thought she would need total care. But her mother did not want to give up and Yeung wanted to show them she could care for herself and even take care of them too.
She came up with various "inventions" to cope with daily life, such as attaching an Octopus card to her sleeve so she could travel on her own.
When she started swimming, which she does using only her legs, she was afraid she would drown. Even her coach could not teach her some of the skills, like making turns, as he had never done it without arms and hands.
"I used my own feelings to grasp those skills. I think I may be the only one in Hong Kong who knows them," she said with a confident smile.
Yeung also spends her free time visiting hospital patients and street sleepers and encouraging them.
When selling flags for charity, she calls out to attract attention and people queue up to put a donation in her bag. She believes people's enthusiasm is not out of pity but appreciation for her efforts.
School principal Jaxon Wang Yu-tai thanked Yeung for encouraging his pupils. He was impressed by her experience and her courage in sharing it.
"She helped our children in their growth. There may be weaknesses in her physical being but spiritually she is strong," he said.
"We learned from her to be thankful and to see what we have, not what we don't have."
