Sharon and Bene: Walking Together
Ten years ago, in a place known for miracles, imagination, and possibility, Sharon Choi met the partner who would change her life. The meeting took place in Disneyland, a setting often associated with romance and fantasy. What began there grew into a very real partnership built on trust, independence, and courage.
Bene, a guide dog from the United States, arrived in Hong Kong at just five months old. When Sharon first met him at Disneyland, she had a simple wish: to walk freely and at her own pace on the streets with Bene by her side. She enjoys walking fast, and the idea of moving confidently and independently through the city mattered deeply to her. The wish sounded simple, yet for a visually impaired individual who relied on a cane to navigate carefully, it was far from simple.
Soon after, that wish became reality when Bene officially joined her life. From then on, they were rarely apart. As a secondary school student at the time, Sharon brought Bene with her to school every day. He accompanied her to classes and walked home with her afterwards. What began as mobility support gradually developed into close companionship that shaped her daily routines, broadened her experiences, and expanded what felt possible.
One of the earliest milestones in their journey together was a music tour to Austria. Travelling internationally with a guide dog requires extensive preparation. Health certificates, transport arrangements, and country-specific regulations can easily become obstacles. The documentation process was complicated and time-consuming. Yet Sharon was determined that Bene would travel with her. Therefore, through careful coordination, this dream eventually came true. They travelled together to Austria.
Austria was only the beginning. Over the years, Sharon and Bene travelled widely. They visited the United Kingdom on multiple occasions, travelled to Taiwan, and explored other destinations. Each journey presented new challenges, including unfamiliar streets, language differences, airport procedures, and varying public attitudes toward guide dogs. Travelling with a guide dog demands additional planning and resilience. At the same time, it demonstrates clearly that visual impairment does not confine one’s world. With preparation and determination, boundaries can be widened.
Beyond international travel, Bene also transformed Sharon’s daily life in quieter but equally meaningful ways. Before Bene entered her life, Sharon disliked going to restaurants alone. Dining by herself felt uncomfortable and isolating. With Bene beside her, the experience gradually changed. Bene helped her locate restaurant entrances, identify suitable seating, and settle calmly at her feet. What once felt daunting became manageable. Meals were no longer experienced in the same way. This shift represented a significant personal breakthrough and reflected growing confidence and independence.
A guide dog is often understood primarily as a mobility aid. In reality, the partnership extends far beyond navigation. It influences social experiences, daily routines, and personal identity. For Sharon, walking at her preferred pace, entering unfamiliar spaces, and travelling across borders were no longer distant hopes. They became lived experiences shaped by partnership and trust.
In June last year, after eight years of dedicated service, Bene officially retired. Retirement marks a major transition for both guide dog and handler. After years of constant movement through classrooms, airports, campuses, and city streets, daily rhythms inevitably change. For Sharon, this new phase brought different challenges. Tasks once managed together now require new arrangements and adjustments. The pace and routine they had built over the years have shifted.
Retirement does not erase what has been achieved. The years of partnership strengthened Sharon’s confidence and expanded her world in lasting ways. The journeys they shared, from school corridors to international tours, remain part of her story. At the same time, this transition calls for resilience once again, reminding us that independence is an ongoing process.
This year, recognising his role in promoting awareness of inclusion and accessibility within society, Bene was appointed as the AmbassaDog of PolyU’s Limitless Campaign. His presence symbolises the spirit of the Limitless Festival. Challenges are real, yet they can be addressed through partnership, coordination, and determination. What begins as a wish, whether to walk faster, dine without hesitation, or travel beyond familiar boundaries, can become reality when barriers are approached with patience and resolve. Sometimes possibility begins with a single step, and sometimes with four steady paws walking beside it.
Merrick Ho: Stepping Forward with Support
Just as a visually impaired person cannot see what lies physically ahead, many SEN students cannot easily tell whether there is space for them, whether resources are available, or whether stepping forward will be welcomed. When hesitation arises, it is often not about ability, but about the uncertainty of whether support is truly there.
Merrick Ho Yui Chi, a 2017 graduate of the Department of Applied Social Sciences, has only 1% remaining vision. He has long relied on a cane, assistive technology, and digitised materials to navigate the world. When he first entered the University, he told himself that he would not confine his campus life to where his cane could reach. Instead, he wanted to explore widely and experience university life just like everyone else. That decision required courage, especially when support could not always be fully anticipated.
With this mindset, Merrick actively enrolled in activities organised by the Student Affairs Office and joined outbound programmes across different departments. These were not always easy choices. Participation demanded additional logistical planning, clear communication, and sometimes the willingness to try without knowing every detail in advance.
One of his most meaningful experience was serving as a student organiser of the first Limitless Campaign, which now marks its 11th anniversary. At the time, conversations about inclusion were still gaining momentum on campus. Merrick helped facilitate an inclusive campus hunt that incorporated disability simulation elements, where participants navigated checkpoints using wheelchairs. The activity encouraged staff and students to rethink everyday mobility and accessibility. Over the years, the Limitless Festival has become one of PolyU’s annual highlights, continuing to make an impact across the community. Its success rests not only on institutional commitment, but also on the dedication of Merrick and other Limitless Ambassadors who shared the vision of fostering mutual understanding on campus.
Merrick’s university years also brought opportunities beyond Hong Kong. He completed his Work-Integrated Education placement in Northern Ireland, though the path began with disappointment. After being rejected from a position in London, he could easily have given up. However, his programme leader, knowing how much he hoped for an overseas placement, went the extra mile to secure another opportunity in Northern Ireland. That effort allowed Merrick to gain valuable international exposure and strengthened his professional confidence.
Another significant experience was a 14-day trip to Mainland China. The organising department had limited prior experience supporting visually impaired students. Rather than treating this as a complication, they invited a specialist to brief all participants beforehand. The arrangements were handled thoughtfully. Merrick felt welcomed and comfortable, without feeling singled out or over-considered. The preparation addressed practical needs while allowing him to participate simply as a student.
Today, Merrick works as a career coach for SEN youth and continues his advocacy work for people with visual impairment. In both his professional role and personal experience, he frequently encounters SEN young people who hesitate before taking the next step. Many worry about causing inconvenience or being perceived as a burden.
He believes this hesitation often stems from uncertainty, not about their own potential, but about whether support truly exists. This is why he stresses the importance of making support visible and tangible. Just as tactile paving and audible signals guide a visually impaired person safely forward, clear information, open communication, and affirming attitudes help SEN students participate more fully in university life.
Merrick’s university years are not simply a story of overcoming adversity. They also reflect a partnership between personal effort and institutional support. His determination was important, but accessible learning materials and assistance enabled him to keep pace academically. Staff members who were willing to listen and make adjustments made fuller participation possible. Peers who approached differences with openness also contributed to Merrick’s genuine sense of belonging.
For Merrick, inclusion is not about doing more for SEN students in a symbolic sense. It is about ensuring they can feel steady ground beneath their feet. When support is clear and dependable, SEN students are more willing to take that first step. His journey reminds us that each member of the community plays a part, sometimes simply by showing up, responding with patience, and making it known that support is there when needed.
Cherry Tang: Learning, Growing, and Giving Back
For Cherry, studying nursing has always been about more than mastering clinical skills. It has also been a process of discovering herself, understanding others, and exploring the world around her. As a Year 5 nursing student living with neurodiversity, her academic journey wasn't smooth from the beginning.
Over time, however, these challenges became a source of insight rather than discouragement with the support from SEN caring team. Those challenges strengthened her empathy towards clients who navigate invisible various conditions and reinforced her awareness that health extends beyond physical symptoms. This awareness motivated her to explore different ways to grow into a more attentive and compassionate healthcare professional.
Beyond the classroom, Cherry has actively sought opportunities that complement her academic training. Among the most significant was obtaining a Mental Health First Aid Certificate through activities under the Limitless Festival. The certification enhanced her professional preparation as a future nurse by equipping her with knowledge about identifying early signs of mental distress and offering initial support. At the same time, it broadened her understanding of how mental health concerns manifest in everyday life. The training strengthened her confidence in responding responsibly when peers sought information or guidance, reinforcing the connection between professional competence and personal responsibility.
Cherry’s participation in inclusion-related workshops further shaped her perspective. Through activities during Limitless Festival, she interacted closely with tutors and participants with different needs. These encounters highlighted the importance of patience, attentiveness, and flexibility in communication. Rather than approaching inclusion as an abstract concept, she experienced it through small, practical adjustments that allow meaningful interaction to take place. Over time, she observed improvements in her ability to communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and developed a deeper appreciation for different forms of expression.
Motivated by these experiences, Cherry began learning sign language through the Excell Programme. Although still at an early stage of proficiency, the decision reflects a deliberate effort to prepare for more inclusive practice in healthcare settings. For her, inclusion is not limited to awareness; it requires equipping oneself with practical skills that can bridge communication gaps and ensure that patients feel understood.
Her involvement also extended into dialogue with the wider community. As a student panelist at the Employment Inclusivity Forum organised by the Student Affairs Office, Cherry contributed to discussions on the experiences of SEN students in academic and workplace contexts. The forum provided a platform for students, employers, and educators to examine how institutional support can translate into inclusive employment practices. Participation in these discussions broadened her understanding of systemic barriers and highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities and employers. It also underscored that inclusion is not solely about accommodation, but about recognising the capabilities and contributions of individuals.
International exposure further enriched Cherry’s perspective. Through SEN Caring overseas exchanges, she travelled to Singapore in 2024, visiting the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University. Observing how accessibility was thoughtfully integrated into campus design, offering concrete examples of how inclusion can be embedded into the physical environment. The following year, a trip to Taipei combined cultural exploration with reflection on inclusive practices in higher education. These experiences provided comparative insights and encouraged her to think more broadly about how inclusive principles can be implemented across different social and cultural contexts.
As she prepares to graduate, Cherry is equipped not only with professional training in nursing, but also with a broadened understanding of inclusion. Her experiences demonstrate that SEN students are not merely recipients of support; they can also take active roles in shaping inclusive environments and supporting others. Through academic perseverance, campus engagement, and participation in community dialogue, she has developed into a student who recognises that inclusion is sustained through shared effort and mutual understanding.
*Most significant: sign language, reason: encountered hard of hearing clients, hope to break boundaries
