成人论坛

Beijing

It's been something of a holy grail here to try to find 'ordinary Chinese disabled people', to discover just how these are likely to influence their lives, and, by implication, improve them.

It's always in danger of being a patronising search. After all, would you like to be described as an ordinary British disabled person? It's meaningless. I've been as guilty of it as anyone else. It's called 'demand from home', but I hope my conversation with Mr Jung and his wife on Thursday's You and Yours manages to tip-toe round most of the traps.

The point about Mr and Mrs Jung is that they are contented. Mr Jung contracted polio as a child - he either uses crutches or a wheelchair, depending on circumstance. He works as a translator for a water authority. They have a wide circle of friends, they go out for meals from time to time.

Shunyi Rowing Lake

- that doesn't sound too bad, does it?

Since I've arrived in Beijing, the days have flown by but after winning my heat on Tuesday, my day off yesterday did drag a little as I got ready to compete.

I had to try to keep the race out of my mind and I was nervous when I woke up this morning because I knew I could have a long wait. I tried to keep nerves down to a minimum but I was still feeling the pressure.

It was a difficult race out there, both with the competition I was up against and the conditions I was racing in.