KUALA LANGAT: Ten-year-old Nur Wadihan Wira Sudepja who tagged along with her parents at the New Straits Times (NST) C-Cycling Challenge in Kota Kemuning here caught the attention of many.
Wadihan, who suffers from cerebral palsy, was seated in a custom-made stroller attached to her father’s bicycle.
Her father, Wira Sudepja Rabu, 43, said their only hope is to entertain Wadihan, their second child, while also be able to exercise to stay fit.
“Wadihan has been bedridden since birth and she easily falls sick due to her weak immune system. This was especially so during her first three years.
“She is particularly sensitive to the hot weather, so we avoided outdoor activities for fear that would fall sick again,” he said.
It was only in 2014 that Wira Sudepja and his wife, Nur Murni Dona Mohd Nordin, began to reconsider their option to try going out visiting parks with Wadihan.
“My wife was turning 40 that year and was beginning to feel concerned about health issues.
“So we brought Wadihan to visit a park in Putrajaya, located not far from our home (Puchong), using a baby stroller.
“That was when we began to notice that she enjoyed being pushed in a stroller and watching people or any kind of movement. Just like a little baby,” he said.
Wira Sudepja and his wife then decided to buy a special stroller from overseas which they later redesigned with the help of a friend, to suit their daughter’s condition.
He said he brought Wadihan along to various cycling events since 2015 and later running events, including a duathlon in August this year. Each time, he cycled and ran with the help of the special, custom made stroller.
“I think we managed to participate in more than 100 cycling and running events so far,” he said.
Wira Sudepja said he was happy that he could take part in the C-Cycle with Wadihan for the second year running.
#kw: Nur Wadihan Wira Sudepja, NST C-Cycle
