LIVING STRONG
PHOTO // Simon Koh
His resilience has inspired Singaporeans. Navy serviceman Military Expert (ME) 2-1 Jason Chee shares his journey in overcoming adversities.
He now has only his right arm with two fingers. But never once did ME 2-1 Chee wallow in self-pity or let his disabilities stop him from living a purposeful life since that fateful accident in December 2012.
Just 18 months after the incident, he had already returned to work in the Navy. Along the way, the wheelchair-bound former primary school paddler picked up table tennis again. And even went on to do Singapore proud by winning a bronze in the 7th ASEAN Para-Games earlier this year. He had to train his remaining non-master hand, with the aid of prosthetic fingers, to play the sport.
"I want to show people that if I can do it, they can also overcome their problems," said the 31-year-old, who was recognised by the Junior Chamber International (JCI) Singapore this year as one of Ten Outstanding Young Persons for his remarkable recovery and inspiring positive change in others.
Personal goals
From Day One, ME 2-1 Chee was determined to be independent. Initially, he had to rely on nurses to take care of him, but today ME2-1 Chee can shower by himself and even cook. Every weekday morning, he would travel alone from his home at Shunfu Estate to Tanah Merah MRT station, where a wheelchair-accessible taxi takes him to Changi Naval Base for work.
He even set a goal to walk again. Last November, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) worked with the Walter Reed National Military Medical Centre to customise a pair of prosthetic legs for him.
For three times a week at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, he would walk with his artificial limbs for up to 100m per session. The going has been tough as he has to rely on his hip to move the carbon fibre limbs, each weighing 10kg.
"It feels five times harder than using your own legs," he said. "I can already walk; the challenge is walking for a long distance. But my Squadron CO (Commanding Officer) once told me to remember ????? (Chinese for "haste makes waste"). I will take things slowly, step by step."
The same goes for his work in the Navy. Being away for so long meant that he had to learn everything from scratch, even simple tasks like using a mouse and keyboard. But he is determined to do well.
"In the beginning, I could not get used to it But my passion is in the Navy, it's what I (have always) wanted to do," said ME2-1 Chee, who now helps to plan training programmes as Operations Supervisor in 191 Squadron (SQN).
It helps that his superiors and colleagues have been supportive, and eased him into the work routine. "They have supported me throughout and I can trust them to help me," he said.
Keeping busy
Even the most determined person would have moments of self-doubt. ME2-1 Chee keeps negative thoughts away by keeping himself busy. His weekly schedule is packed with voluntary work, table tennis training, and classes at UniSIM where he is pursuing a degree in Mathematics.
"I have no time to worry when I am busy, I'd rather be productive than doing nothing," he said. "Even when I was warded in the hospital for rehab, I was going around the ward, talking to stroke patients and amputees, sharing my story and motivating them not to give up on living."
Like his idol Nick Vujicic, a motivational speaker who was born without limbs, ME2-1 Chee wants to inspire people, especially the disabled, to live positively. He also volunteers at Renci Nursing Home to train dementia and Alzheimer patients to play table tennis. Playing the game helps to improve their cognition. He also believes that table tennis can give them a new lease of life, just as how it has given him one.
He said: "They are dejected and feel hopeless but when they play table tennis, I can see hope in their eyes."
Sporting glory
If losing his limbs was a window closed, it also opened a door for him - to represent Singapore in table tennis. ME2-1 Chee has set his sights on qualifying for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. Over the next two years, he will be competing in a series of overseas tournaments to chalk up points and rise up the world ranking. He got off to a good start in August by achieving third place in the team event at the International Para Table Tennis Championship in Thailand.
"I am very serious in my sports path. If I miss out on Rio in 2016, I will aim for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics. I want to do Singapore proud." Never give up, never say die. That's ME2-1 Chee for you.
