Paralympic athlete with rare condition champions road race

Paralympic badminton player Tsai Yi-lin, who lives with achondroplasia, is serving as the ambassador for the upcoming Chang Gung永慶盃 Road Race, inspiring others with her personal journey. Achondroplasia, a congenital condition affecting bone development, has not deterred Tsai from pursuing her athletic dreams, including competing in the Paralympics.

"If I can persist in exercising, you can too!" Tsai declared, urging the public to join the road race. She shared that while the Paralympic badminton court is the same as a standard one, her shorter stature presents unique challenges, requiring greater lower body strength and endurance for quick movements and sharp turns. With support from the Chang Gung medical team in areas like sports injury prevention, assistive devices, and medical care, she has been able to train consistently and compete internationally.

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If I can persist in exercising, you can too!

Dr. Chen Chien-hung from Linkou Chang Gung's Department of Rehabilitation emphasized the importance of tailored exercise for everyone, including individuals with disabilities. He stressed that exercise should be progressive, aligned with personal fitness and health status, to foster long-term habits. "Exercise not only improves muscle strength and endurance but also reduces the burden on bones and joints, enhancing mobility," Tsai added, encouraging fellow patients and the public to find suitable ways to be active.

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Exercise not only improves muscle strength and endurance but also reduces the burden on bones and joints, enhancing mobility.

Dr. Lai Po-jung from Chang Gung's Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics explained that achondroplasia is a common genetic form of dwarfism, typically linked to mutations in the FGFR3 gene. While intelligence is usually unaffected, the condition can lead to short stature, disproportionate limbs, and other skeletal issues, potentially accompanied by nerve compression or joint limitations. He reiterated that exercise is crucial for patients but must prioritize safety and individual conditions over sheer volume.

The 17th Chang Gung永慶盃 Road Race, organized by the Chang Gung Medical System, is scheduled for September 20 across four locations: Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi, and Kaohsiung, with an expected participation of nearly 40,000 people. The event aims to promote regular exercise and family participation, with registration points available at Chang Gung hospitals starting in early September.

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Regardless of whether the general public or individuals with disabilities, exercise should be progressive according to individual physical fitness and health status, finding a way to exercise that suits them, in order to truly develop long-term habits.