Some of my kids who have been following the talent show - Project SuperStar, expressed their disappointment that Kelvin Tan won the male championship. They felt that Ang Junyang was the better singer and more like a idol whereas Kelvin though has a unique voice, is blind. They just can't accept the fact that a healthy and able-bodied Junyang is less talented than one who is visually-impaired. They protested that Kelvin had received sympathy votes (viewers' votes accounted for 70% of the score) and it wasn't fair to Junyang.

Well, perhaps Kelvin did receive some sympathy votes but we have to admire his courage for taking the first step in joining the competition in spite of his handicap. In fact, nobody has expected him to go that far into the competition, lest emerging victorious. Kelvin was a busker who used to perform near Woodlands MRT station. I used to see him there and would stay to listen to his singing which I found entertaining. I didn't recognise him initially when I saw him on the show but I recognise that unusual voice. As the competition progressed, his singing got better and his fan base grew. Though he couldn't see his supporters, he must have felt their support for him which spurred him on to give his soul and heart to achieve his best so as to repay his fans.

Kelvin's success proved something to himself, that is, nothing is impossible if he tries hard enough. If he didn't believe in himself and gather enough guts to decide to take part in the talent show, he would have remained a busker rather than becoming a superstar. He owes his success more to his own determination rather than those sympathy votes. In fact, nobody would have pitited or supported him if he hasn't shown his will to overcome the odds. If his singing alone can harness others' sympathy for him, he would have become a millionaire just being a busker. Thus to a certain extent, he deserves what he has achieved and we should share his joy rather than to cry for unfair play.

Then it sets me wondering (sometimes I wonder why I wonder so much) : If a handicap can achieve so much with confidence and determination what more can't a normal person accomplish? The sad fact is, many a time, normal healthy people are handicapped in one important area - they are mentally disabled. It's not uncommon to hear people saying things like : 'I'm not smart enough to do this', ' I'm not good enough to do that' and other self-damaging remarks. Such feeling of inferiority is actually more harmful than losing one's sight or limbs. In fact, such feeling causes one to be more disabled than a genuinely disabled person. People who feel that they aren't good enough to do anything, aren't going to achieve anything as they simply aren't going to try to do anything. They have already been defeated (by themselves) even before the battle begins. Then thus one needs to become a real handicap before one can achieve success? I hope not or we will be seeing a lot of handicapped but successful people around. The thing is, never feel bad about yourself, rather be proud of who you are and what you can do. Nobody is going to give you the chance that you aren't giving yourself.

"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. Never give it."

"If you think you can, you can. If you think you can't, you are also right."

"The greatest discovery of any generation is that a human being can alter his life by altering his attitude."