David Mc Klopper sees his physical disability as a defeated Goliath because to him disability is mere a state of mind that will never hold him back.
David, 21 was born with Robert Phocomelia Syndrome. It is a rare condition, and sufferers are born with under-developed limbs, or missing limbs, or arms and feet that are located close to the body.
“It may affect people differently, but you’ll most certainly rely on a wheelchair for the rest of your life,” David added.
David used to be a Paralympic swimmer but he stopped participating because the category in which he competed was discontinued. However, he never felt sorry for himself because he was forced to end a good career in swimming.
They said to me I’ve reached my peak,” David said.
David said he wasn’t discouraged, and would be sharing his expertise in swimming with prospective professionals, young and old.
He wanted to express his other talents – one of which is music, and he wished to rebuild himself as a brand.
“I hope to release an album by the end of this year.”
David admitted that life hadn’t been easy for him. He had to overcome many hurdles to show society that he had great abilities and should never be sidelined.
He said he had experienced that some people weren’t genuine towards him; because they felt pity for him they overcompensated and even patronised him.
I now feel I have to prove to the world that I can take on some new challenges,” he said.
He wants to compete with able-bodied artists in categories that actually honour the disabled for their talents.
David sincerely wanted those in the disabled community to overcome rejection, but he realised for that to happen the mindsets of society needed to change first.
“Through my disability I want to show people that one can achieve anything and that it’s all in the mind. It sounds a bit cliched, but you have to challenge yourself and test your limits,” David said.
