1. What can I do for those who have music dreams but with physical disabilities?
—— An idea after seeing disabled people busking on Hong Kong's streets.
In the long history of music, it has been a global language that can transcend borders. In Hong Kong, I often see people with physical disabilities busking on the streets, trying to pursue their music dreams. However, due to the inequality of resources, these disabled singers can hardly get public attention, showing a trend of “more talents, fewer opportunities”. To navigate this challenge, I was thinking about what we can do, for example, hold a charitable event — an online virtual concert named “Music Beyond Boundaries”. By offering interactive workshops and rehearsal training, it will arm them with the qualities of performers and offer them the potential to become real singers in the public eye.
Disabled people constitute a special disadvantaged group in society as they possess low economic affordability and weak risk-resistance capabilities. According to statistics from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department (2021), only 19.7% of the 295,600 physically disabled people have employment, and nearly 1/3 earn below HK$10,000 per month. These data are not just numbers; they reveal these victims’ desperate situations. Moreover, although some disabled people possess flawless musical talents, they are in the face of severe resource shortages and fierce competition due to their physical disabilities. Therefore, this group of singers are unfortunately marginalized, and encounter brutal obstacles on their journey to pursue their dreams and career development, which is the essential motivation and cogent rationale behind this event...
2. Setbacks are not scary; what's truly terrifying is giving up and doing nothing.
—— Looking back on my academic life at PolyU
I am a first-generation college student in the family. After passing the college entrance examination, I was admitted to The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. However, my grandma showed strong objection simply because it is too far away. However, I want to go to Hong Kong. I want to start my own venture. A voice in my innerheart told me to go. I fought with all my strength and made it come true.
In Hong Kong, my life was completely out of control, considering the culture shock and the challenging curriculum. I got many B on my transcript, and my GPA was 2.95 for the first semester. I was shocked and astonished, questioning my decision of choosing PolyU. It took me quite some while to calm down and start all over. Inspired by grandpa, I started to build my own villa, an invisible one, brick by brick. I asked for detailed feedback from my teachers. I read extensively. I researched independently. Brick by brick, I built my own house: I was placed on the Dean's List for the 2022/2023 academic year and received the Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (top 1) for the 2023/2024 academic year.