Work hard to overcome adversity, never give up. That's the message from Station Sergeant Tsui Chi-yau and Sergeant Cheung Kwong-tai, who have both overcome serious eye injuries to win the Outstanding Disabled Employees Award and Tuen Mun Courteous Officers Award respectively, for their top performances as policemen.

SSGT Tsui was blinded in the left eye during a police operation in 1992.

"My eye could no longer function but my life had to go on. I understood that I could never give up as my family loved me so much," he said.

Since returning to the Force, he has concentrated on computer-related jobs. To better equip himself, SSGT Tsui read a lot of reference books and discussed computer techniques with colleagues. His devotion to his job and outstanding performance was highly praised by his supervisors and colleagues.

He joined 11 other recipients of the Outstanding Disabled Employees Award at a ceremony in a hotel on November 24, with Secretary for Education and Manpower Fanny Law and Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) Cheung Chi-shum in attendance.

SSGT Tsui said the prize was very encouraging and thanked his supervisors, colleagues and family for their encouragement and support. He pledged the good performance would continue to prove disabled staff could contribute to the Force and to the Special Duties Unit, where he is presently posted.

SDU Commanding Officer, Superintendent Danko Au Yeung, said: "There are different roles in our Unit for officers with different specialities, and SSGT Tsui's computer techniques have really helped us. It is also our policy to match impaired officers with jobs, which allow them to exercise their skills and knowledge. This is one of the best ways to help them rebuild their confidence and recapture their direction in life."

Meanwhile, Tuen Mun'a most helpful officer SGT Cheung, was blinded after a serious traffic accident in 1997. So depressed by the thought of blindness, he had difficulties facing his family, colleagues and supervisors.

"The support and care offered by my supervisors, colleagues, the Psychological Services Group, Welfare Officers and my wife encouraged me to face the tragic fact. I especially thanked my wife for her unfailing support and understanding," he said.

Determined to beat life's upcoming challenges, SGT Cheung took Society for the Blind courses to re-learn how to read using Braille, use computers, to walk and conduct other daily essentials. He was later assigned to work in Tuen Mun District Police Community Relations Office to handle public enquiries.

"I was recently transferred to man the Commercial Crime Bureau's hotline, and with the help of modern equipment, I can handle all the paperwork and enquiries efficiently," he said. "And I will continue personal improvement by studying Putonghua. I hope to be a role model for my daughter so she too can be strong enough to face any future hardship or difficulties."

Outstanding effort: The ever-helpful SGT Cheung Kwong-tai at work

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