Dancing through adversity: Student of the Year Awards recognise strength in face of hardship
Daisy Kwok Hiu-ming and Mohamed Afser Sultan Basha up for best improvement awards for their success in overcoming health and relocation challenges
Born with a narrow windpipe and oesophagus, and a weak small intestine, long periods in hospital were commonplace for Daisy Kwok Hiu-ming in her childhood. She frequently suffered from health problems including pneumonia and choking on food, and had to undergo several operations.
But Daisy learned how to use the challenges life had handed her to spur achievement.
“Because my health was not good when I was younger, I could not keep up with school work,” Daisy, who is now 16, recalls.
“I even missed school for one or two months. I felt very discouraged.”
Things began to turn around for the pupil of Hong Kong Red Cross Princess Alexandra School, which teaches youngsters with special educational needs, towards the end of her primary education.
Under the guidance of Kat Yu, the school’s occupational therapist and dance instructor, Daisy, now a Form Four student, gradually became an accomplished contemporary dancer – a learning experience which recently culminated in her choreographing her own performance.