POLIO survivor Ding Ming Hea had just two choices after being diagnosed with the disease at a young age.
He could either do nothing or fight tenaciously to prevent polio from ruining his future.
The 63-year-old from Sitiawan, Perak, chose the latter and became a successful solicitor.
Ding, whose left leg is paralysed due to the disease, said that as a youngster in school he would just sit in class, unable to go to the canteen or toilet.
“When you are down with any disease, it’s all up to you.
“Luckily, I am not the type to sit still but will fight hard,” he said during an “End Polio Now” sharing session organised by Teluk Intan Rotary Club at Lower Perak Club in Teluk Intan.
Ding said that when pursuing his law degree in the United Kingdom, he didn’t use his condition as an excuse and instead found ways to support himself.
“I got a part-time job as a cab driver, picking up passengers from pubs.
“I did not want to be treated differently, but I am grateful for the kind-hearted people who helped me,” he said.
Ding said he was quite shy growing up, but slowly grew bolder.
“On hindsight, I should have had thicker skin so I could have achieved more,” said Ding, who now utilises an electric tricycle to help with mobility.
He also praised the achievements of 99 Speed Mart founder Lee Thiam Wah, another polio survivor, during the session organised in conjunction with World Polio Day.
Polio is a highly contagious disease caused by poliovirus which invades the nervous system.
Malaysia was declared polio-free by the World Health Organisation in 2000, but the virus re-emerged in Sabah in December 2019.
However, it was fully contained by September 2021 and the country regained its polio-free status.
Ding, a former Sitiawan Rotary Club president, also participated in End Polio Walk 2026 which took in the iconic Menara Condong Teluk Intan.
Over 300 participants from various parts of the country and Thailand took part.
It received strong support from several schools in Teluk Intan, including SK St Anthony, SMK St Anthony, SM Convent, SMJK San Min and SMK Horley Methodist
Teluk Intan Rotary Club president Ronnie Teh said the strong turnout reflected the spirit of collaboration and community support behind Rotary International’s global “End Polio Now” campaign.
“Through public awareness, community engagement and fundraising, Rotary and its partners continue to promote the importance of vaccination and collective action in protecting children from this preventable disease.
“Together, one step at a time, the community continues to walk towards a polio-free world,” he said.
