“I never win the lottery, but why am I the one who gets sick?” This is a common feeling among patients with chronic diseases. Sin Wen Wei, a patient with ankylosing spondylitis, describes himself as a traditional man. While others establish themselves at the age of thirty, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness at the age of thirty, and even the doctors told him it was an incurable condition.
In the early stages of his illness, Wen Wei describes his movements as robotic. Bending was difficult, and lifting his head was a struggle. Every action seemed to be life-threatening. As a taxi driver, he had to rely on his hands to crawl out of the car when the condition was at its worst. Even turning around to give change to passengers felt like a freeze-frame. However, a miraculous moment occurred when one of his passengers noticed his condition and handed him a card from the Hong Kong Spondylitis Association. This marked the beginning of his rehabilitation journey.
Looking back on these past twenty years, Wen Wei believes that mental rehabilitation is more important than physical rehabilitation. “Whether it’s a dead-end or not depends on our mindset. When I see how previous generations faced it positively, I also want to become a role model for future generations, to inspire those who come after me and let them know that it’s not so bleak.” Despite the initial pain, poor sleep quality, and limited mobility, Wen Wei never gave up. He slowly emerged from the darkness and gradually connected with people. Today, he teaches water sports at the Kowloon Park swimming pool every week. He jokingly says that he even has disciples who have been with him for ten years. The person who was once engulfed in negative emotions has overcome it along the way.
In addition to being a water sports instructor, Wen Wei also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Hong Kong Spondylitis Association, holding an executive position in the organization for over ten years. He deeply understands that only fellow sufferers can truly understand and empathize with the pain and struggles.
“Seeing those who initially needed a cane now walking briskly on land and moving freely in the water, their progress makes me want to continue teaching.” It is the progress of the individuals he serves that motivates Wen Wei to continue his work.