uShine Sharing
Hi everyone, I am Ingrid, a third-year English major who is not only fond of her books but also of volunteer service. I am so very honoured to be recognised as “Best uShiners” for the endeavours shared between me and my teammates last year, namely our two service projects — a wheelchair experience workshop with the Hong Kong PHAB (Physically-Handicapped and Able-Bodied) Association and a blindfolded walking experience workshop with the Hong Kong Society for the Blind.
My experience of the first service project was particularly thought-provoking. Before our wheelchair experience was actualised, the two hosts from Hong Kong PHAB Association demonstrated to us how they use a sock aid caddy to assist with the rigamarole of putting their socks on. When I was holding the flinty caddy in my wrist that even my full grip could hardly limber, I could feel tactilely how hard it must be for physically disabled users limited to no mobility to put their socks on, and my subsequent experience using a wheelchair in the Cheung Sha Wan community has propelled me to deliberate on the real hardships of people in need. I have entertained a few ideas of revamping the current sock caddy model as shown by the two hosts of our wheelchair workshop, and though my design has turned out redundant, my experiences living first-hand in the daily struggles of people deserving our attention, have taught me meaningful lessons of empathy and inclusivity in our community.
Together, let’s strive to uplift and support each other.
- Ingrid, Best uShiners 2024
