To Raise Money For Spinal Cord Patients, Hong Kong Man Scales Skyscraper Strapped To Wheelchair

Lai Chi-wai became the first in Hong Kong to climb more than 250 metres of a skyscraper while strapped into a wheelchair as he pulled himself up for more than 10 hours.

Reuters

The 37-year-old climber suffered a car accident 10 years ago left him paralysed from the waist down and he could not make it to the top of the 300 metre-tall Nina Tower on the Kowloon peninsula.

Despite his physical limitations, Lai never gave up. After his accident, he resumed climbing by attaching his wheelchair to a pulley system.

Five years ago, he ascended the 495-metre high Lion Rock mountain, a local folk culture symbol of Hong Kong's strength and grit.

"Apart from just living, I wondered what drives me? So I began to chase that, knowing that there was a possibility I could climb mountains, even in a wheelchair," Lai said.

"In a way, I forgot that I was a disabled person, I could still dream and I could still do what I liked doing."

Reuters

¡°I was quite scared,¡± Lai said. ¡°Climbing up a mountain, I can hold onto rocks or little holes, but with glass, all I can really rely on is the rope that I'm hanging off.¡± The event raised HK$5.2 million ($670,639) in donations.

The stunt was performed to raise money for spinal cord patients and to help lift people's spirits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Although he did not make it to the top of the skyscraper, due to safety concerns, Lai hoped to send a message.

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Reuters

"Some people don't understand the difficulties of disabled people, some people think that we are always weak, we need help, we need assistance, we need people's pity," Lai said.

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¡°But, I want to tell everyone, it doesn't have to be like that. If a disabled person can shine, they can at the same time bring about opportunity, hope, bring about light, they don't have to be viewed as weak.¡±

All Inputs Reuters