This is a milestone on his photography journey. This is the beginning of her painting career. In the harsh winter of January, two artists who were originally strangers showcased their brilliant and passionate magical powers at Community Rehabilitation Network Wang Tau Hom Centre.
The doctor said he wouldn’t live past 18 years old.
Now, at the age of 25, Tiger, who suffers from the rare genetic disease Duchenne muscular dystrophy, has surpassed that prediction. While children his age enjoy their childhood playing with friends, Tiger strives to improve his penguin-like walking posture through learning. While other adults can take care of their daily activities independently, Tiger still needs assistance from others for tasks like brushing teeth and bathing. However, despite these challenges, he remains the source of joy for his friends and family.
It is the unpredictability of life that has made Tiger embrace the belief of living in the present. Every photograph he takes captures the beauty around him, preserving the warmth of life. Unknowingly, photography has accompanied him for over a decade, from the Sydney Opera House in Australia to the pinnacle of Europe, the Jungfrau. With the progression of his illness, Tiger can only move his fingers in his adulthood. Even pressing the shutter requires the help of his mother’s hands. However, this doesn’t diminish his passion for photography. Even when he can’t sleep, his mind is filled with thoughts of the next shooting location and how to capture better images.
After self-learning for nearly nine years, Tiger enrolled in a photography class offered by the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation in 2019. Last year, he was invited to participate in the “Rare Art: Rare and Magical Powers” community art exhibition organized by Community Rehabilitation Network Wang Tau Hom Centre in January of this year. This was his third participation in exhibitions, but it was different from before as he had the opportunity to collaborate with Wang Ruogu, another rare disease patient, and five students from the Chinese University of Hong Kong. “Being together as a group adds more possibilities and strength to the whole event.” Through the exhibition, he wants to show the public that even with physical difficulties, dreams can still be pursued. We can shine brightly, not just be illuminated by others.
After the exhibition, Tiger didn’t stop. The unexpected media response brought him new opportunities. In May this year, an article he wrote about wanting to take photos for his idol, Priscilla Wong Tsui Yu, was seen by Wong herself, who agreed to meet and fulfill his dream. Before reaching the age of 30, Tiger has already achieved all three of his dreams—visiting Sydney, the Swiss Alps, and having his idol become his model. Currently, he has shifted his photography style from landscapesto portraits, learning about lighting, directing models’ poses, post-processing, and more. He continues to learn without limits. This life warrior has faced many challenges, but he remains determined to make every step count.
The doctor said she wouldn’t live past the age of 30.
Daisy, a rare genetic disease patient with Wilson’s disease, is now over 40 years old and will celebrate her 20th anniversary of recovery in two years. Looking back at the time of diagnosis during her youthful years, it once made her feel lost about the future. She will never forget the days when her body and limbs trembled involuntarily, when others had to feed her birthday dinner, and when she cried while eating her own birthday cake. Fortunately, after three years of seeking medical treatment back and forth to Hefei, her condition gradually improved.
With her condition stabilized, Daisy started to pick up her paintbrush again and taught herself to paint with acrylic colors. In her paintings, pairs of animals always appear, conveying her thoughts through art. As someone who has gone through the experience of illness, she understands the pain of not being understood and appreciates the value of companionship. With a caring heart for society, she hopes to encourage those who see her artwork to live a fulfilling life and express themselves in vibrant colors, just like her paintings. The once self-pitying Daisy now looks at the ups and downs of these years with gratitude. The challenges have shaped her, making her stronger and able to inspire and bless others with her rare experiences and vitality.
The “Rare Art: Rare and Magical Powers” community art exhibition in January was Daisy’s first art exhibition in her life. The title of the exhibition, “Magical Powers,” was her own idea. “I know that although my individual strength is tiny, like a speck of dust, when we come together, our strength can become powerful.” Daisy described the Hong Kong Society for Rehabilitation as her fueling station, allowing her to channel positive energy to everyone in society. During the exhibition, Daisy saw many unfamiliar people leaving messages on the message board, saying “Keep going” and “Thank you for encouraging us.” Each message deeply touched her heart. “Yes, rare disease patients like Tiger and I are not weak. We all have the ability to become that magical power and encourage those around us.”
Daisy is currently working in the education industry and completed a Master’s program in Chinese Literature during the pandemic. The prediction that she would only live until the age of 30 has been surpassed. Through her experiences, artwork, and work, Daisy lives a life that influences others’ lives. Daisy jokingly says that she aims to become the Hong Kong version of Yayoi Kusama. Even though life may be imperfect like a painting, she encourages herself and others not to lose hope. The most important thing is to give oneself time and confidence.