Scaling new heights to change lives


Participants of “Climb To Change A Life” cheering after a successful hike. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT/The Star

THE sun rose on a beautiful morning over Eagle Hill, a little-known patch of land off the road to Balik Pulau at the southern end of Penang island.

Excitement and relief grew at the promise of a clear sky, as it normally does before the start of a big sporting event.

Participants began showing up early in droves, all dressed in the same bright blue event T-shirts and carrying the usual sports accessories – water, caps and towels.

Different equipment then rolled out – wheelchairs and strollers hit the ground, placards stood in place of pacing balloons, glittering stickers replaced running chips and umbrellas were set at the ready.

It was time to begin the “Climb To Change A Life”, a sporting event like no other.

An uphill task

The aim of the activity was simple – to give a chance for children and young adults with disabilities to experience the thrill and excitement of a hike up a hill.

A total of 54 participants from four different organisations showed up for the walk. Each faced unique challenges in completing a climb on their own.

Some had movement difficulties or were visually-impaired while a number were unable to speak, posing barriers in communication.

To aid them to the summit, an army of almost 700 volunteers came together.

Roughly half hailed from Pertubuhan Hui Yin Seh, a Buddhist association that was organising the event at Eagle Hill for the second year running with the Zy Movement Foundation (ZMF), an organisation championing the empowerment of children with movement disabilities.

The other half of the helpers came from small, informal groups of hikers who enjoyed exploring Penang’s ridges and peaks on a regular basis.

The hikers, who heard about the extraordinary event by word of mouth, offered their services and experience.

For the climb, volunteers were grouped with participants, with the number of helpers varying according to the needs of each participant.

SNH participants (from left) Mohd Azian Abdullah, 25, Azry Mohamad Syaiful and Mohamad Alif showing their finisher medals on reaching the top of the hill.SNH participants (from left) Mohd Azian Abdullah, 25, Azry Mohamad Syaiful and Mohamad Alif showing their finisher medals on reaching the top of the hill.

Those in wheelchairs, like seven-year-old Muhammad Aniq Niyaz Firzan from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Penang, were accompanied by about 10 volunteers while participants like Azry Mohamad Syaiful Mohd Sobri, 25, from St Nicholas’ Home (SNH) Penang for the blind, needed only two to guide him to the top.

Nurul Atika Mohamad Alias, mother of Muhammad Aniq, said: “I used to go hiking before I got married, but that was a long time ago. I, however, still feel okay today as it’s just relaxed walking.”

The 31-year-old, who is seven months pregnant with her second child, was seen holding hands with her husband Firzan Husaini, 32, while walking alongside volunteers who were steering their son.

“At the beginning, my son was a bit fussy as there were many people around, but once we started the hike, he enjoyed it,” Firzan said.

Muhammad Aniq with parents Nurul Atika (right) and Firzan making their way up Eagle Hill.Muhammad Aniq with parents Nurul Atika (right) and Firzan making their way up Eagle Hill.

Nurul Atika added that they tried to give their son all the experiences of a normal child by frequently taking him swimming and to the park, but this was their first time on a hike as it needed more planning and assistance.

Feelings of satisfaction

The 1.8km climb had 10 stations, each manned by a team of volunteers.

The path up Eagle Hill, which is on private land, is completely paved which made the journey easier for the participants.

They were divided into 37 groups with those needing less assistance placed in bigger groups while those needing more help in smaller ones.

Aside from the Cerebral Palsy Association of Penang and SNH, participants also came from the School for Mentally Retarded Children and the Special Children’s Centre Penang.

Each participant was given a tag bearing an image of the hill they were climbing and sparkly, heart-shaped stickers were given out at important stations for them to mark their progress up the hill.

Participants taking on the uphill challenge of climbing Eagle Hill.Participants taking on the uphill challenge of climbing Eagle Hill.

While the route to the top was relatively short in distance, the elevation posed a significant challenge that made the hike interesting.

Sturdy towels were wrapped around wheelchairs to aid volunteers pulling them up the hill while at certain points, hikers opted to piggyback participants for short stretches.

Shouts of jia you (literally translated as ‘add oil’ in Chinese, a call of encouragement) were constantly heard, especially at the steeper stretches of the journey.

With the sun beating down, participants were sheltered with umbrellas and propped up with encouraging cheers as they made their way up the hill.

Some participants made quicker progress while others needed more stops and support, but no one was left behind.

At the finish line, located 420m above sea level, groups were welcomed with music, drumrolls and finisher medals.

Smiles and jubilation abounded, intertwined with feelings of triumph and relief. The groups snapped photos at the top of the hill, enjoying the morning breeze.

Helping hands

For the participants, it was an outing like no other.

The climb, coupled with the energetic company of the volunteers, made the endeavour easier, said delegates from SNH.

“Our helpers were the best. We chatted about food the whole way up and even gave our group a name – Gang Cakoi,” said Azry Mohamad Syaiful, referring to the popular deep-fried snack.

The cheerful Kulim native is enrolled in IT and massage training courses at SNH. He said he began to lose his vision about two years ago and subsequently, enrolled in SNH to see how he could make his way in life.

“I hope to open my own small business.“People say I’m happy-go-lucky, but I just try to stay positive mentally,” the 25-year-old added.

Also part of the group was Muhamad Alif Haikal Muhamad who said he would attend the event if it was held again.

“I was excitedly anticipating this event. The hike was so much fun.

“We had to be a bit careful because it was steep and slippery at times and that was challenging, but I didn’t feel tired at all,” said the 20-year-old from Melaka.

Muhamad Alif added that he had two volunteers with him at all times, one on each side, guiding him up the hill.

For the helpers, the event was also a rewarding experience.

Zhi Jing (centre) with her mother Yeoh (left) and hiker Teoh (right) at the post-hike celebration.Zhi Jing (centre) with her mother Yeoh (left) and hiker Teoh (right) at the post-hike celebration.

At the post-hike party, Teoh Lam Chong, 56, was seen sitting next to six-year-old Leong Zhi Jing, whom he had assisted up the hill.

“My friend told me about this event and I am glad I came. I usually hike once a week on Sundays.

“Today’s climb wasn’t difficult but it had a different feeling with so many people here,” he said.

Zhi Jing, who is usually shy around strangers, had warmed up to Teoh and her other helpers during the journey.

“We’re friends. If she wants to go hiking again, we can definitely help,” added Teoh, a father of five.

Participant Ooi Kean Lye, 50, carrying 10-year-old Lou Zhi Jian during the hike.Participant Ooi Kean Lye, 50, carrying 10-year-old Lou Zhi Jian during the hike.

Zhi Jing’s mother Amy Yeoh, 37, admitted that she was apprehensive before the event, but was happy everything went well.

“I woke up at 4.30am because I was nervous. This was our first time trying this, so I had a few concerns.

“The paved road was nice as it was not muddy and the volunteers were so helpful,” she said.

Gaining traction

After a fruitful day, participants, volunteers and guests were welcomed to a post-hike celebration near the finish line hosted by Hui Yin Seh chairman Khiah Hock Leong with Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze in attendance.

Khiah (left) flagging off the participants at Eagle Hill.Khiah (left) flagging off the participants at Eagle Hill.

Phee lauded the initiative as a celebration of compassion and resilience, and congratulated all those present on a successful journey up the hill.

Also present was ZMF founder and president Walter Lee who completed the hike alongside the participants.

Lee, who hails from Penang, said the “Climb To Change A Life” event was an initiative by ZMF to help children with movement disabilities to scale mountains.

Lee hopes the hike will encourage more people with disabilities and helpers to participate regularly.Lee hopes the hike will encourage more people with disabilities and helpers to participate regularly.The event had previously been held at a number of well-known climbing spots in the world including Mount Fuji in Japan and Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.

“This is the 27th time ‘Climb To Change A Life’ has been held in the world,” said Lee, father of national para swimmer Zy Lee Kher.

“It’s the largest number of participants and ‘life-changers’ (volunteers) we have had,” he said.

He hopes the event will encourage more people with disabilities and helpers to hike together on a regular basis.

“We want people to know that as long as there are three people going on a hike, it is possible to bring along a person with disability.

“By doing so, this will change not only that person’s life, but also the life of their family,” he said.

This year, the “Climb To Change A Life” event is scheduled to be held at the Annapurna base camp in Nepal and in Thailand where ZMF is headquartered.

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