A Miracle Because of love

“I adored the ‘Young and Dangerous’ series movies at that time. Specially the actor, Ekin Cheng, who acted as a very cool and handsome gangster, so I joined gangster at the age of 13”, Cheng said excitedly.

Gangster life
You might think this is just another gangster story, however, the protagonist in this feature is somehow extraordinary because he suffered from an illness called “cerebral palsy”.

He is Cheng Zhe Long, 23, son of Mr. Cheng Week Eng and Madam Zhang Chun Hua. For parents, to have a baby is a blessing from the god. But for the Cheng’s parents, it also means a life-long obligation because the future of their new born was unpredictable due to “cerebral palsy”. Nonetheless, without any hesitation, they decided to bring up that child with great determination.

Cheng is from Simpang Renggam, Kluang. He is young, passionate, helpful and with strong determination. He was a student from Department of Chinese Studies in Southern College. He also took up some night courses related to Business and Psychology for time being.

When he recalled his childhood, he remembered that he used to be a gangster.

“I adored the ‘Young and Dangerous’ series movie at that time. Specially the actor, Ekin Cheng, who acted as a very cool and handsome gangster, so I joined gangster”, Cheng said excitedly. His parent was kept in the dark at the first place, but soon after that, they found out. They advised him to leave the group, but all effort was in vain.

Cheng had a nickname as “Big Bully” during that time. “I had even beaten up a few people until they were hospitalized!” he said.

Yet, his gangster life did not last long. Two years later, he decided to quit after heeding one of his best friend’s advice. He said that process was just like a sudden waking up. He realized he already grew up and had to move on to another phase of his life.

Parents
“If not because of me, my parent would not have to work so hard. Most of their hard earned money was poured into my treatment expenses. They are the greatest parents in the world!”  Cheng’s parents spent about RM20,000 to RM30,000 on sending him to China for therapy. 

With love and care, Cheng wanted to prove that he deserved their loves despite of his physical disability. “I want to prove that if others can make it, I can make it too”, he said.

Astonishingly, Cheng had already completed 6 marathons with his limited stamina. More surprisingly, his father who suffered from heart disease had accompanied his boy by running 26 kilometers last two week. Although they didn’t talk much with each other, both had already occupied an important place in their heart. In fact, Cheng was so touched that his father support him by concrete move regardless his health consideration. He wanted to express his gratitude to his beloved father.

Cheng was also extremely active in co-curriculum. He took part in Chinese Society, Club of Juvenile Police when schooling. Cheng was a member of The 15th Sin Chew Jit Poh (Kluang) Student Reporter. He was also an expert in Taekwondo.

At the age of 19, Cheng wrote an autobiography. He had been running up and down the slopes in Southern College for more than 3 years, for many people unknown. Since he suffered from Cerebral Palsy, every step he made couldn’t be easy. However, that was not the only obstacle that he encountered. Along the pathway of learning, He couldn’t speak clearly or write properly even until now. He had no choice but to finish most of his homework by using computer.

Fortunately, he had many friends beside him. His friends always took initiative to help him. “I’m very grateful for their support, they help me very much. They always help me to complete things that I wanted to complete.” he said. For him, friends were the most precious asset that he possessed.

Friends
“Every evening, when I am on my way home, I always see him run at the fields. He is very persevering, that is my first impression on him. When he sits in my class, he always actively involves himself in the class discussion.”
                                                                                                        Ms.Pang Nian Yin
                                                                   Lecturer of Department of Chinese Studies

“I’m quite close with him in class. When I have problems, I will talk to him. He likes to encourage people. When I was racing, he was accompany me throughout the race but eventually, he fell down in the halfway. I’m very grateful to him, he treats friends nicely. Wishing him great success in his marathon this time.”

                                                                                                        Wong Sheau Yann

“He is very passionate in taking part in activities. He is confident than an normal people and also have perseverance. I hope his dream comes true, all the best to him!”

                                                                                                        Wendy Hii Ching Fen

“Maybe his ability is not so outstading, but he is very hardworking. He is very enthusiastic in activities. He always wants the disabled to know that they can also fulfill the tasks normal people can.”
                                                                                                          Lee Chen Siang

Romance and Dream
He show his persistence to win the heart of his lover by spending 5 years. And they are going steady only this year.

In Cheng’s eyes, his lover was kindhearted, understanding, gentle and magnanimous.

When asked whether Cheng intended to get married years later, he said: “Of course”. At the bottom of his heart, he really wishes to have a family. His sweetheart will only marry him when she completes the Master’s degree course.

It was just not only about marriage, he had a vision too. He determined to help teenagers and awake them to become the useful people to our society. He aimed to be a volunteer to service people in underdeveloped countries like some of the rural areas in Africa. This is his plan in 10 years time.

Have you ever thought about your short-term or long-term plans? If you are still at a loss, think about what Cheng had already done.

Sketch you own dreams, and fulfill them.

What is Cerebral Palsy?

Cerebral palsy means 'brain paralysis'. It is adisabilitythat affects movement and body position. It comes from brain damage that happened before the baby was born, at birth, or as a baby. The whole brain is not damaged, only parts of it, mainly parts that control movements. Once damaged, the parts of the brain do not recover, nor do they get worse. However, the movements, body positions, and related problems can be improved or made worse depending on how we treat the child and how damaged his or her brain happens to be. The earlier we start, the more improvement can be made.
In many countries cerebral palsy is the most frequent cause of physical disability. In other countries it is second only to poliomyelitis. About 1 of every 300 babies is born with or develops cerebral palsy.
 Most children with cerebral palsy develop basic skills and abilities more slowly than other children. This is partly because of their difficulty with balance and movement. For some children, mental slowness or problems with seeing or hearing make learning more difficult.

版权所有：