Visually impaired runner Gary Leung won sixth place in the 100k men's divison of the Antarctic Ice Marathon at the beginning of the year. Not only did he successfully challenge himself, he also raised HK$200,000 for The Samaritan Befrienders Hong Kong!

Behind all his glory, Gary has a dark past. He was completely blind due to a genetic disease and spent his days drinking to drown his sorrows...From the moment he lost his eyesight, his whole world changed.

 

One morning eight years ago, Gary opened his eyes while lying in bed and could no longer see what was in front of him. Doctors confirmed he was suffering from a genetic condition - retinitis pigmentosa, where "everything was gone."
 


 
Wine as water - Drinking half a dozen everyday
 
"I can't accept it at all! I don't even have a job!" Gary was devastated and afraid to step out of the house. His only activity was to "call the supermarket downstairs to buy 10 boxes of beer and take it home! Drinking at least half a dozen a day!" There was no drinking water at home for nine consecutive months, and there was only wine in the kettle ; his weight soared from 140 pounds to 190 pounds. His relatives and friends repeatedly advised him to no avail, and even blamed his mother for causing him to contract a genetic disease: "Why do I have this disease?"

 

A drunk could not dispel his sorrows until a friend who had been completely blind since childhood said, Even if it's only for 5 or 10 seconds, I want to see this (Del) world!" He asked Gary, "Are you going to spend the rest of your life like this?" " He didn't fully understand it at the time; but every time he sobered up, Gary heard radio reports that many people had died unexpectedly and did not even have a chance to survive... After a year of self-isolation, Gary suddenly realized that he should not waste his precious life because he lost a small part of himself.

 

 

Blind but "sees" more
 
Gary decided to face society again and interact with people, so he learned Braille, cooking, and using a cane to walk. Gary said that he encountered many difficulties at the beginning with lack of guide paths in many places, the escalators in shopping malls did not make any sound to guide the visually impaired. He even experienced being scolded and despised by office workers during rush hours. Despite this, he smiled and said that most people offered to help him. “I buy things better than you guys, business owners know I’m blind, they give me something better and don''t lie to me!" After losing his sight, Gary seemed to “see” more.
 

 

Running, learning to be persistent and tolerant
 
"I hadn't even walked two blocks when I was already soaking wet." Gary, who had gained weight due to alcoholism, started running to lose the fat on his 38-inch waist. "I ran a full marathon of 42.195 kilometers, but after 30 kilometers my feet started to hurt, I had cramps, and I didn't want to run anymore. Everything happened at the same time."However, he learned to persevere, and with the support of his ex-girlfriend, he vowed to train himself to become an outstanding athlete. There was a time when the lead runner was injured and Gary was unable to complete the race. He was initially disappointed but gradually learned to be tolerant. “There are accidents all around us in a race. The most important thing is that everyone is fine. If they are fine, we can continue with the next race.”

 

Gary has an outstanding record (see attached table), and has traveled to Hong Kong, Taiwan, the United States, and is even going to challenge the polar regions! He admitted, "There has never been a visually impaired athlete participating in the Antarctic Ultramarathon. I want to surpass myself. I am willing to work harder than ordinary people to realize my dream. Don't feel inferior because of something you lack. No one can look down on you!"

 

 


 

 

"Some people say that pacemakers are volunteers, but in fact, we are twins with the pacemakers." Not only do pacemakers have to accompany us in the pre-race practice, but if we compete overseas, we also have to live and eat together. "We can't do it without them, as long as we stick together, a pair of eyes for two".

 

In terms of daily life, Gary is learning to get along with a guide dog, and may be taken out by a guide dog in the future. However, Gary is worried that his beloved dog Hugo will not get along well with the guide dog. If this is the case, Gary said he would rather give up the guide dog, "No one wants this 'troublemaker' (Hugo), I must have my own son and I will definitely take care of him."


 

Hoping to be a coach to help visually impaired runners
 
As for the future, Gary hopes to "keep running while he still can" and will take the coaching test in the future to train other visually impaired runners. He also hopes to raise funds for charities by completing various marathons so that those organizations can help more people in need.

 

"I was once like everyone else, very confused and helpless. In fact, visually impaired organizations and the general public are very supportive of everyone. As long as you are willing to work hard, there is no problem that cannot be solved." He also encouraged the sick children not to give up,"As long as everyone works hard and perseveres, there will be a day of recovery. When you get better, run with me!"

 
 


Tips: How do visually impaired people distinguish coins?

Visually impaired people usually fold banknotes into different shapes, and some convert coins into a single amount for easy change.
 
 

Gary’s Checklist
✔ Four-time champion of the visually impaired category of Taipei Marathon (2011, 2013, 2014 and 2015)
✔Apple Daily Charitable Foundation Run Men's Elite Third Runner-up (2012)
✔All-Marathon Runner-up in the Visually Impaired Division of the California International Marathon (2012)
✔Hong Kong Standard Chartered Marathon (2013)
✔Runner-up in the Visually Impaired Age Group at the Boston International Marathon (2015)
✔Taipei Standard Chartered International Marathon Visually Impaired Marathon Champion (2015)
✔Antarctica 100km Ultra Marathon (2017)
Become a coach for visually impaired runners
 

 

Reported and written by：梁劍紅、江依霖
Editors：梁劍紅、王煜棋
Photography：Henry Kwan & Nichigo Mak
Video Production：Lifewire & Sam Chan