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.

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.

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.

via Muslimah Paralympians.

Nurul qualified for the Paralympics last December, becoming the first para-athlete to represent Singapore in that sport.

Born with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA II), Nurul’s condition causes nerve cell loss in her spinal cord which in turn limits muscle movement.

So instead of tossing, players in Nurul’s BC3 category use assistive devices to launch the balls.

The para-athlete uses a head pointer to launch the ball from a ramp, after directing an assistant on the position of the ramp.

Nurul is ranked world number eight in her category, which includes those with cerebral palsy or other locomotor dysfunctions.

“I’ve never been able to walk. As a child, I used to be very fumbly — if someone pats me on my back, I’d just fall over,” says Nurul over lunch which can be a chore as her hands aren’t strong enough to grip cutlery.

“My muscle degeneration is gradual. I used to be able to raise my right forearm until I was 17. When I was 22, I lost the ability to point with my left index finger. I can’t perform certain daily tasks independently, such as showering and dressing up,” says the 28 year old who moves around in a motorised wheelchair.

Yet, where her muscles lack strength, Nurul’s mind fully makes up for it.

via Paralympics: Boccia player Nurul charts game and life with her mind – Channel NewsAsia.