In this edition of Strength in Community, we meet Mr Vinid Kumar (right) who tapped on his passion for and experience in sports to give back to fellow persons with disabilities. A former SPD beneficiary, Vinid now returns as a volunteer to serve the community that once supported him.
When Vinid arrived for his first volunteering session at our Enabling Services Hub (ESH) in Punggol, he felt a familiar stir of excitement.
He chose to volunteer for the boccia sessions as sports has always been part of his life, even as he navigated health conditions over the years, alongside hearing and vision loss.
He has had permanent hearing loss since secondary school, which affects his ability to hear spoken words clearly. More recently, he was diagnosed with optic nerve atrophy, making it difficult to read text which are small or far away.
As the session began, he was assigned to assist a player with mobility challenges. Unable to swing his hand, the player relied on Vinid to help position the ramp so the ball could be released where he intended.
Each shot required considerable effort, yet what struck Vinid most was not the difficulty of the task, but the player’s spirit. Even when the ball did not land where he hoped, the player kept smiling.
His optimism moved Vinid: “It was never about the results, but the mindset.”
Giving back through sports
Vinid’s passion for sports runs deep. Growing up, he played badminton, table tennis and soccer. Influenced by his father who taught physical education, staying active was part of his everyday life. Even after he had a meniscus tear on his knee three years ago, Mr Vinid continues to keep active.
His interest led him to pursue a qualification in exercise and sport science. The principles he learned continue to guide how he supports others through sports, including his volunteering journey now.
“I was taught in injury rehabilitation that to prescribe the correct treatment, you must first understand the injury and what the person is going through,” said Vinid. “So, I try to understand the players’ strengths and limitations to provide the best support needed.”
On the boccia court, this translates into careful observation. Players often communicate through small hand gestures or subtle cues to show where they want the ball placed.
“At first, I struggled to read the players’ hand signals for directing the ball, but as I gained a better understanding of the game, my ability to anticipate where they wanted to place the ball improved too,” shared the 33-year-old.
He also credits SPD’s volunteer manager of ESH@Punggol, Ms Judie Chang, for her support throughout the process.
“I was concerned about communicating with other volunteers and clients, so Judie helps me by notetaking when she can. She has been very supportive,” he added.
Through notetaking, Judie helped bridge communication gaps, making it easier for Vinid to follow interactions and support players confidently during the session.
“Vinid actively seeks opportunities to contribute to the advocacy of a more inclusive community,” shared Judie. “His willingness to learn, embrace new experiences and make meaningful contributions serve as an inspiration to all who have worked with him.”
A full circle moment
As a former beneficiary of SPD’s Employment Support Programme, Vinid’s return as a volunteer was, in many ways, a full-circle moment.
“I wanted to be a part of SPD’s cause,” he said. “I feel a sense of satisfaction when I see the community being inclusive. And I’m happy seeing persons with disabilities getting opportunities to show their abilities.”
To him, the most rewarding part of the journey was knowing that his time is well-spent in supporting those in need.
“I get to do what I do to empower people with “these abilities”, make new friends and hear different life stories. And I’ve learnt so many things from volunteering at SPD,” he said.
“This is not just volunteer work for me. It’s a passion,” he added. “I’m grateful to be able to give back to this cause in my own way.”