Mdm Kwok is also currently the national coach for boccia – a ball-tossing game designed for those with mobile disabilities – and she has set up boccia as a co-curricular activity at the school. Seven students from the school have since represented the Singapore Disability Sports Council’s boccia team.
Boccia coach helps disabled through sport
STUDENT Toh Sze Ning, who has cerebral palsy, was initially doubtful that she could take part in a sport called boccia.
As she could not feed or dress herself, she wondered how she could take part in a game involving moving a ball.
But thanks to her former teacher Lanny Kwok Ping Ping, the 19-year-old, who started learning how to play some seven years ago, went on to be ranked 16th last year in the world in the paralympic sport.
Yesterday, Madam Kwok, 43, from Spastic Children’s Association School, was among three recipients of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher Award at the annual Special Education conference held at Singapore Expo.
“The sport gave the students a boost in self-esteem and expanded their social circle and cognitive skills; I was glad to be part of it,” said Madam Kwok.
Boccia coach helps special needs students find their voice
For more than a decade, he could only express his thoughts and feelings through picture cards. Unable to write or type, communication for the boy, who has severe cerebral palsy, was limited to a thick stack of cards toted around in a file.
That drove his Special Education (SPED) teacher, Mdm Lanny Kwok, to embark on a search six years ago for assistive devices that could help him take a leap beyond his abilities.
With Mdm Kwok’s help, participating during classes and initiating conversations with his parents and friends became easier for the boy, now 21, thanks to a software she found – which allowed him to string sentences together by tapping on a “switch” as alphabets rolled across a computer screen. To enhance the communication process, pictures he could click were periodically added to help illustrate a point……
|
|
via TODAYonline | Singapore | Helping her special needs students find their voice.
Boccia Gold Medal Winner join Festival | Phuket News and Scoop
On 16th October 2012, double Paralympics Boccia gold medal winner Mr.Patthaya Tatthong, came to Phuket to join the Phuket Vegetarian Festival and visit the Jeng Aong (Kathu) Shrine.
Mr.Patthaya said “I’m very pleased to have come and been able to join in with this 150 year old festival. I would like to invite all Thai people to join in with the festival in the future. I have a dream to build a Boccia stadium at my home town, and I hope that by taking part my dream will come true.”
After leaving Phuket Mr.Patthaya will travel to Bangkok to receive a Royal decoration, he will then travel to compete in the Chiang Mai Games.
via Phuket sees Double Paralympics Gold Medal Winner join Festival | Phuket News and Scoop.
Korea: Coach to be probed for abusing disabled
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) plans to investigate alleged abuse of disabled athletes by a coach and violations of their human rights.
The commission announced the plan Tuesday after claims were made that Kim Jin-han, had beaten athletes and thrown equipment at them during the Aug. 29 to Sept. 9 London 2012 Paralympics.
Ji Kwang-min, captain of the national Boccia team filed a complaint with the rights panel last month.
He claimed Kim also beat other Boccia players over the past two years.
The coach also faces allegations of extorting money from his athletes to cover training expenses for the sport.
“The victim is a physically challenged person who needs help, not abuse, for his athletic performance,” the NHRC said.
South Korea promises “strongest action” against Boccia coach accused of abuse
South Korea’s Chef de Mission at the London 2012 Paralympics has promised that allegations of abuse made by the country’s boccia captain against a coach will be fully investigated after a disciplinary committee was set-up following further claims of violence against members of the team.
It has been revealed that 31-year-old Ji Kwang-min (pictured) was the South Korean who had made an official complaint against Kim Jin-han, who he alleged abused him during London 2012, including hitting him on the head with a light stand.
The family of Ji, who has cerebral palsy, also claimed that 42-year-old Kim had beaten him regularly since 2010 and had stolen up 1 million won (£550/$900/€700) at a time from him on several occasions.
Boccia player subject to violence by his coach?
Last week, Ji Kwang-min, captain of the national Boccia team, alleged Kim Jin-han abused him during the Paralympics as well as before the event, saying the coach also took money from him for training sessions.
Jang said the degree of violence may not have been extreme as Ji and Kim have known each other as teacher and student since the Boccia player was in high school, but it still cannot be tolerated, noting the pair looked friendly in London.
Boccia heroes receive cash rewards
Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra has welcomed home the paralympic athletes and presented them with bonuses in cash.
A grand reception was held to welcome the Thai paralympic team, who bagged the country four gold, two silver, and two bronze medals from the London 2012 Paralympics.
The premier presented the rewards to the athletes. Those who won the gold received six million baht each, silver winners got four million, and bronze medalists received 2 million baht.
Four gold medals belonged to the boccia team, who won in both the team and the single categories, a table tennis player, and a wheelchair fencer. The wheelchair racing team brought home two silvers and two bronzes.
Where now for Boccia after the fanfare?
Boccia player Nurulasyiqah Mohd Taha echoed his sentiments and called for efforts to ensure that Paralympians get the best equipment which are also customised to their personal needs. In her case, it was the ramp used to launch the balls.
Nurulasyiqah explained: “The Koreans use a very good ramp made of solid wood, but it is difficult for me to use it because I cannot bend. I need something transparent.
“These are things that we need to innovate on. Just because the Koreans are the best and they use a ramp doesn’t mean that their ramp will suit me.”
She added that there is a lack of awareness here for such needs and it is an issue that needs to be addressed.
Nurulasyiqah also noted that more boccia trainers are needed to cater to the growing number of players. There are currently only two boccia coaches in the fraternity.
via TODAYonline | Sports | Eyeing the future, after the fanfare.
Paralympians light up airport with gold haul
Thailand’s Paralympic athletes returned home from the 14th Games in London to a hero’s welcome yesterday after making a big impact, capturing four gold, two silver and two bronze medals to finish 31st overall.
Of the 4,294 athletes from 164 countries taking part in London, Thailand sent 50 (39 men and 11 women) to compete in 10 sports. Their initial target was two gold medals.
Rungroj Thainiyom ignited Thai pride by handing the country its first gold, winning the men’s individual table tennis title.
The other gold medals came from the four-man boccia team led by Pattaya Tadtong, and fencer Saysunee Jana in the women’s individual epee. Pattaya went out with a bang after winning his second gold, in the men’s individual boccia a few days before the Thais’ return home.
The Thai athletes were greeted at 3pm yesterday at Suvarnbhumi Airport by Sombat Kuruphan, assistant minister for tourism and sports, Sports Authority of Thailand governor Kanokpan Jullakasem, Thai Paralympic Committee Foundation chairman Jutinan Bhirombhakdi, their families and a large crowd of fans, who cheered and waved Thai flags. Bouquets of flowers were presented to athletes, some of whom were reduced to tears by the emotion.
via Paralympians light up airport with gold haul – The Nation.
Muslimah Paralympians
Last week I was in London, moonlighting as a cheerleader. My sister, Nurulasyiqah, represented Singapore in boccia for the first time ever, and I was absolutely excited to see her play in the Paralympics.
In between matches, a friend remarked:
“You know, your sister looks like such a good Muslim.”
In Islamic discourses, disabled people are generally portrayed as being “special” or closer to God, but also “imperfect.”…………… (click link below for the full article)………….
And how did my sister fare? She almost made it to the semi-finals, but narrowly lost a tie-breaker with Korea. But she’s happy. Success is not always a gold medal, because inshallah she represents possibilities for all boccia athletes in Singapore, and especially Malay Muslim para-athletes.
news from the world of Boccia 