EMILY TSANGemily.tsang@scmp.com
PUBLISHED : Tuesday, 24 November, 2015, 2:58am
UPDATED : Tuesday, 24 November, 2015, 8:59am
Yip Wing (centre) said he hoped to serve not only residents in his area, but also promote the needs of disabled people. Photo: Edward Wong
While growing up, Yip Wing of the Labour Party never allowed his disability to limit his aspirations. When he chose to contest the district council election and challenge Elizabeth Quat Pui-fan, the incumbent pro-government lawmaker, he know it would be a hard fight.
Yet the prospect of unseating one of the "ballot queens" of the pro-Beijing camp had never seemed real until the polling station finally announced that the 28-year-old had won the election in Chung On, Sha Tin, by 2,506 votes - 130 more votes than Quat.
"I hope the victory can inspire other disabled people to create miracles and contribute to society," Yip said. "It was a hard fight, but worth it."
Yip, an aide to lawmaker Dr Fernando Cheung Chiu-hung, suffered damage to his spine as the result of a medical blunder in a mainland hospital which meant he has had to use a wheelchair throughout his life. Since the problem also affected the mobility of his hands, he must expend a great deal of energy when moving himself onto his wheelchair.
Yet he was furious whenever people regarded him as part of the "underprivileged" group.
Despite being elected onto the district council for the first time, Yip is no stranger to politics; he and his electric wheelchair have been on the frontline of many clashes between protesters and police over the past few years.
Once he intercepted Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying's car outside Government House in Central by skilfully bypassing tight security with his wheelchair, and demanded that Leung do more to help disabled people in the city.
Last year he and other pan-democrats joined a hunger-strike to fight for genuine democracy for electing the chief executive.
By winning the election, Yip said he hoped to serve not only residents in his area, but also promote the needs of disabled people.
http://m.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/1882467/labour-partys-yip-wing-aims-inspire-hong-kongs-disabled
