Daniel Lee turns childhood exclusion into a quest for Paralympic glory

Daniel Lee was often told to sit out physical education classes because of osteogenesis imperfecta. Today, the wheelchair fencer hopes to qualify for the 2027 Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur and the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

Eager to join them in sporting activities, he was instead told to sit out because he has osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bone disease.

“Physical education was so difficult for me as a child because my teacher would say, ‘It’s okay, Daniel. Don’t worry. We don’t want you to get hurt. Just sit down.’ But I wanted to join,” said Lee, who has been in a wheelchair since he was 10.

“I understood the concerns because of my condition. The teachers and other adults were trying to protect me, but exercise is good for everyone, even someone with brittle bone disease.”

Despite the challenges posed by his condition, Lee found ways to stay active. He tried various sports, including wheelchair racing and sitting volleyball.

He became a national athlete in 2013, representing Malaysia in sitting volleyball at that year’s Asian Youth Paralympic Games. That same year, he also won a wheelchair race in Terengganu.

Although he was concentrating on wheelchair racing, Lee discovered wheelchair fencing a year ago.

The sport soon became a passion, and Lee is now working towards qualifying for next year’s Asean Para Games in Kuala Lumpur, with hopes of eventually competing at the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“That is the dream – to win a medal on home soil and then qualify for the Paralympics,” said Lee, who drew inspiration from watching the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games.

“That (2008 Beijing Paralympics) was really the first time I realised it was possible for people in wheelchairs to become world-class athletes.”

Beyond sports, the 35-year-old Lee is a full-time motivational speaker and heads 360 All Ability, an organisation that promotes accessible and inclusive sports and fitness for people of all ages and physical or intellectual abilities.

Lee said people often associated sport and healthy living with able-bodied individuals, overlooking those with disabilities.

“People with disabilities are often overlooked. My message is to please reconsider that thinking,” he said.

“Anyone can break their bones doing everyday activities – even when walking out of their homes. You could trip and fall, so accidents happen all the time.

“I have to be extra careful, but that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy sports, and that is the message I’m trying to share with people out there.”

Lee’s commitment to making a difference extends beyond sport. In 2013, he completed a 100km ultramarathon in his wheelchair, raising more than RM150,000 for the Dignity for Children Foundation.

As a motivational speaker, he has spoken to more than 10,000 people at various engagements. In 2024, he founded 360 All Ability.

Last week, Lee served as project director of Sports for All Fest 2026, which aimed to promote inclusivity and accessibility in sport.

The inaugural event was co-organised by the Malaysian Olympism in Action Society (MOiAS) and 360 All Ability, with Avenue K as the venue partner.

Other partners and sponsors included Twentytwo13, Sports Nutrition Academy, Asian Youth Ambassadors, the Malaysia American Football Association and the Malaysia Floorball Association.

MOiAS president Noraseela Khalid, an Olympian and former national hurdler, said she hoped the festival would become an annual event.

Lee agreed, saying the festival aimed to encourage more people to embrace sport as a way to build connections and lead healthier lives.

“Sometimes, all we need is a spark. An event like Sports for All Fest 2026 could be that spark for someone with a disability.”