ANTHONY CHONG VEE YEE
Teacher, facilitator and author
ANTHONY Chong Vee Yee, 24, defied the perception people have of the handicapped. He scored 8As for his Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, graduated with a degree in Computer Studies and is currently working on two book projects on sign language titled "Bahasa Isyarat Malaysia" and "Deaf Culture".
No small feat for someone who was born deaf to a family of hearing people. His mother had a lot to do with who Chong is today. Her support and encouragement spurred the young man on.
Despite his disability, Chong is an intelligent young man. Up until he was 14, he was in an integrated primary school for both deaf and hearing.
However, when he was in secondary school, he wanted to study together with hearing students because he felt neglected. He believed that he would have a better chance at excelling academically.
"I felt bored because I was ahead of the rest of them. I could read and write better, and I wanted to learn more than what was being taught," he explained through interpreter Lucy Lim, a teacher aide with Majudiri Y Foundation for the Deaf.
After his SPM examination, when he was 19, Chong realised that he had missed out on interacting with the deaf community.
So he started to participate in the various activities and programmes for the deaf at YMCA Kuala Lumpur in Brickfields.
Chong now teaches sign language to the hearing people at the YMCA on a voluntary basis.
"They (the hearing people) need to learn and understand sign language so that the hearing and the deaf can co-exist," he explained.
Chong was also one of 12 facilitators at "deaf teen sexuality camps" coordinated by the foundation and organised for youths in secondary schools.
The camps were aimed at arming deaf teens with knowledge of self protection against sexual abuse, including the necessary steps to take and how to look for help.
Teens were taught essential skills to boost their self confidence as well as decision-making and communication skills.
To date, Chong has participated in four such camps held in Kuala Lumpur, Perak, Sabah and Sarawak.
"It was a gratifying experience, being able to help them open their eyes to the possibility of a brighter future in the hearing world," he noted.
Besides having the opportunity to travel, Chong also got to meet deaf people from other States and learned about their different cultures and languages.
His involvement in the activities has taught him that being deaf is not an obstacle to excelling in life.
His involvement in the activities has taught him that being deaf is not an obstacle to excelling in life.
"My disability is not an obstacle - if I have the desire, will and motivation to succeed," he said.
Chong is also passionate about championing the rights of the deaf especially in the field of education.
He stressed that the education system for the deaf needs to change.
"Learning should start at a pre-school age," he stressed.
"The deaf need to complete primary education at 12 years of age, not 14, because there will be too much to learn when they enter secondary school." - By Suryani Dalip.
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