Barrier-free City
Team chief enjoys a barrier-free ride
By Sun Xiaochen (China Daily)
Updated: 2010-12-14 09:54
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GUANGZHOU - Lu Shiming, one of the leaders of the largest para sports squad China has ever assembled, has been able to fulfill a long-cherished dream at the inaugural Asian Para Games.
Lu, the head of the full Chinese delegation of 631 and vice-president of the China Disabled Persons' Federation (CDPF), has been able to see the Five-Ram Statue up close for the first time.
"Thanks to the newly equipped accessible elevator, I could finally pay a close visit to the Five-Ram Statue and even touch the stones for the first time in my life," said the 50-year-old, who has leg disabilities.
"I always wanted to see this Guangzhou landmark up close after I came to the city for the first time in 1987 but I couldn't because it was impossible for me to drive my wheelchair up to the stairs by myself," Lu said.
To take a close look at the Five-Ram Statue, which is located on top of Yuexiu Mountain, visitors have to climb up a long set of steps from the mountain's foot, and this causes major problems for wheelchair users.
Only recently, a specially designed barrier-free lift was installed on the hill as part of the project to make the city more accessible for disabled people before the start of the games. With the help of the elevator, Lu drove his wheelchair to the top of the mountain on Dec 5 and made his dream come true.
However, Lu still has another ambition to achieve.
"Guangzhou's accessibility has been improved to top class, which has happened because of the para games. Given that there are 83 million disabled people in China, Guangzhou's improvements are just a small step forward," Lu said.
"Our goal is to ensure that all disabled people in the country can live with dignity and confidence."
The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games highlighted China's increasing efforts to improve support for disabled persons. Lu said the Guangzhou event will take China further down that road.
"To host a sports gala is definitely the best way to focus public attention on the project to improve facilities for the disabled," he said. "And it also motivates us to improve related policies on social welfare, insurance and infrastructure construction."
"Always at the frontline of our country's reform and opening-up policy, Guangzhou is a city which takes great care of its residents. I can see the warm-hearted volunteers getting ready to provide service with respect everywhere in the city, not only inside the Athletes' Village.
"As well, I am sure the improved facilities will continue to benefit the disabled long after the event concludes."
Selected from a wide range of professions including government officials, soldiers, workers, farmers and students, China's 448 disabled athletes came from 31 provinces, autonomous regions and municipal cities, including the earthquake-ravaged Wenchuan and Yushu areas.
"The variety of occupations and birthplaces of the Chinese delegation members reflects the universality of the nation's para sports development," said Lu.
Finishing on top of the medal tally with 199 gold medals at the recent Asian Games, China showed its overwhelming dominance of the Asian sports community. However, chasing medals will rank far behind other goals at the games, Lu said.
"Instead of setting targets like medal numbers, we have only one ultimate goal. That is to show the self-reliance and optimism of disabled people. Their confident performances on the court prove that people with physical disabilities can do everything with a strong heart inspired by sport."
China Daily
