Issue: 12/2007

Riding ahead with family support

Nelson Yip has been riding for six years and will compete in the equestrian events at next year's Paralympics. Perseverance and family support are behind his success.

New Attitude

Mr Yip was left unable to walk after suffering a fever at age one. He found the disability daunting until one day he realized that he had to 'stand up and walk again'. He started thinking positively; learning swimming and diving, and at 31 he started riding horses. About two years later he won a disabled equestrian competition in Japan. He won numerous prizes over the next six years and is now going to next year's Paralympics. He explained some of the challenges he faces in riding by explaining that: "Since I can't move my feet to signal the horse to move, I need to use the rider's crop."

Family support

Nelson acquired a lot of positive attitudes from his parents. Like them, he's a hard working man who runs three companies. He said: "I wasn't from a well-to-do family. I remember that my mother had to do work at home to get money to look after us, which taught me the work ethic. My father is good at business and personal relationships, and I think he passed that on to me." While some people drift away from their parents as they grow up, Mr Yip is an exception because he makes time in his busy schedule to be with family.

Love family, love Hong Kong

Mr Yip also cares for the community, and this shapes his attitudes towards business. His companies make energy-saving LED lighting, recycle electronic scrap and offer and offer corporate social responsibility consultancy. He says that in the long run, a company only succeeds if it is willing to contribute to the community.