Malcolm Chen, 72, continues to work towards his dream of creating a more inclusive society through the power of the bicycle.
The avid cyclist, who cycles in places such as Sarawak and Fiji, created non-profit organisation Ageless Bicyclists in 2015 to teach children with disabilities to cycle and do simple bicycle repairs.
Since last year, he has been conducting lessons at Grace Orchard School, which caters to students with mild intellectual disability or mild autism spectrum disorders.
Mr Chen’s aim is to teach the children to cycle and build their confidence in the process. He also wants to teach them the mechanics of the bicycle, equipping them with a skill that can help in future employment.
He was inspired to start after his mother, school teacher Liew Shew Fong, died in 2014. “My mother was an educator and loved children. She always reminded me of the importance of education and learning. I wanted to continue her work.”
Mr Chen, who worked in tourism before he retired, went for a cycling instructor course for about 10 months so he could be a registered coach and teach children. He also volunteered with the children at Grace Orchard, to understand their needs and to learn to handle them.
Grace Orchard’s senior art psychotherapist, Ms Jassica Chen, said the programme has given students a chance not only to experience the joy of cycling but also to build friendships. “They have also built self-confidence and courage, especially for those who were fearful in the beginning,” she added.
The children gave Mr Chen “the best birthday gift” on his 71st birthday in August last year. It was not a material present, but the fact that on his birthday, five or six of the children could ride their bicycles.
He said: “It reminded me that I’m not going to give up on this. I cried seeing the kids being able to ride after all their struggles. They are so determined.”
Next year in 2018, he hopes to bring in tandem bicycles so children can ride with their parents. There can be “so many different types of bonding”, he said, including pairing a child with special needs with one without.
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Source: The Straits Times, 4 December 2017