Zy sets sights on Paralympic Games

Working as a team: Zy listening to his father Lee before training at the Penang Sports Club in Jalan Utama. — Bernama

GEORGE TOWN: His physical disabilities shocked his parents when he was born but Zy Kher Lee, 12, is now the pride of his family because of his swimming abilities.

Known fondly as Zy, he was born with a complete left arm, half a right arm, no right leg and malformed left leg with only three toes.

He was introduced to swimming when he was seven and was initially scared of water.

But swimming sessions twice a week at the Penang Sports Club here made him fall in love with the sport.

He aspires to be a paralympic athlete and wants to represent the country at the 2020 Paralympic Games.

“Swimming makes me feel normal. I love swimming. It was difficult at first but after learning to swim from my father and coach, I fell in love with it,” he said.

Zy said he was never ashamed of his disabilities and considered himself as normal as any other child.

The youngest of three siblings said his teachers also treated him like a normal student despite him having to use a prosthetic arm and legs.

Zy said he wanted to become a magician because he likes to impress people with his abilities.

Meanwhile, his coach, Adrian Chan, 61, said despite his disabilities, Zy managed to master four strokes including the butterfly and backstroke.

He said Zy had the potential to become a paralympic athlete in the future because of his determination.

“I learn so much from him. We enjoy our sessions,” he said.

He said Zy won one gold, two silver and one bronze medal at the Para Circuit Swimming Tournament in Alor Setar, Kedah, last year.

Chan said he wanted Zy to participate in more swimming competitions to boost his confidence.

Zy’s father, Walter Lee, said he would never isolate his son from the outside world just because of his disabilities.

He said it was unfair to children with disabilities if their parents did not give them the freedom and opportunity to explore the world just like any other normal children.

“I simply could not bear to see my son having to look up from his wheelchair whenever he talked to other people for the rest of his life.

“Our son must be given the same dignity as every normal person. He must be able to stand tall and talk to other people at normal eye level,” said the Penang-born celebrity chef. — Bernama