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The first day of secondary school was when Gabriel truly realized he was different.
As he stepped into the classroom, his peers towered over him, their laughter and chatter filling the space with an energy he struggled to match.
While they ran effortlessly across the hallways, jumped over benches, and carried their heavy school bags without a second thought, Gabriel could only do half of what they did—just like his height.
But what he lacked in stature, he made up for with an unshakable spirit. His heart, far bigger than any physical limitation, allowed him to face challenges with a smile. He refused to let the world define his journey by what he couldn’t do. Instead, he chose to chase his passions in his own way, moving at his own pace.
This is the story of Gabriel Wong Yong Keng, a resilient and optimistic individual who has turned what some might see as a limitation into a source of strength and humor.
A different childhood
Gabriel was born with dwarfism. Although he never underwent a formal medical diagnosis, he quickly realized it after noticing that he was always shorter than his peers.
He began to notice his physical differences when he started secondary school, but his cheerful and carefree attitude prevented him from dwelling on it too much.
And perhaps because of his attitude, Gabriel was never severely bullied, aside from a few instances of playful banter.
“Occasionally, my friends and I would tease each other and make jokes about my height.“
But it was just playful banter,” he recalls. “We’d laugh about it the next day.”
A mother who carry his burden
During his early school years, Gabriel’s mother played a crucial role in easing his daily struggles.
Recognizing the weight of his schoolbag, she arranged with the school to carry it for him each morning and afternoon.
It was quite nice not having to carry anything when I arrived at and left school. I just walked around empty-handed.”
Rather than succumb to self-pity, Gabriel embraced his uniqueness and turned it into humourous anecdotes that he still remembers to this day.
“When the teacher punished me by asking me to stand up, I’d slowly sit back down after a while. Since my standing and sitting height were the same, the teacher never noticed!” he exclaimed, adding that he’s still quite proud of his quick wit.
Building confidence & pursuing his passion
It was only when Gabriel reached secondary school that he finally took the initiative to research about his condition online and in turn, gained a deeper understanding of himself.
From there, he began to develop a stronger sense of self and continued to live a normal life such as playing games and hanging out with friends like any other teenager.
I never felt particularly inferior,” he says. “Sometimes I’d envy others, but it never stopped me from enjoying life.”
During his time at secondary school, Gabriel decided to prove to everyone that he was capable of living independently by carrying his own bag by himself.
“I wanted to prove that I could do it on my own, I didn’t want to feel different.” he added.
Meanwhile, Gabriel joined various curricular activities, where his willingness to expand his horizons and try new things helped him make many friends and brought lots of joy into his life.
Upon leaving secondary school in 2016, Gabriel opted to pursue his passion for creativity by pursuing a degree in Drama and Visuals at New Era University. There, he immersed himself in stage production, filmmaking, and photography.
I loved learning about directing, acting, lighting, and sound. It was a space where I could express myself freely.”
Living a life of adventure & independence
After graduating from university in 2021, Gabriel began his career as a freelance photographer, where he was tasked with capturing behind-the-scenes moments and stills for various projects.
In 2022, he took a bold step and moved to Pulau Redang, where he worked at a resort for two and a half years. During this time, he gained experience across multiple departments, including reception, housekeeping, and snorkeling instruction.
Fast forward to 2024, Gabriel left the island life to return to Seremban, where he resumed his job as a freelance photographer.
Along the way, he also embarked on a backpacking journey across Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Macau, and Cambodia, documenting his travels through his lens.
His photographs have since been submitted to various competitions, reflecting his passion for storytelling through imagery.
While Gabriel acknowledges that his height can be a disadvantage in certain fields, such as acting, he remains unfazed.
In my everyday life, it doesn’t affect me. I’ve found my own rhythm and way of doing things.”
Thankful despite disability
One of the most heartwarming aspects of Gabriel’s story is the unwavering support he has received from friends and family.
“They’ve never treated me differently. We joke around and tease each other, but it’s all in good fun. I feel completely comfortable with them,” he said.
Gabriel attributes his resilience to his faith, family, and friends.
“I thank God for giving me the ability to do what I love, despite my height.
My family has always been there for me, and my friends have shown me endless kindness,” he said.
To those facing physical or psychological challenges like himself, Gabriel offered this word of advice:
Find your strengths and make the most of them. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.”
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