GAWILAN EYES PARIS PEAK

But before that, the Filipino is set to duel with Toh at OCBC Aquatic Centre

- Melvyn Teoh

Despite being born without both feet and part of his left arm, Filipino para swimmer Ernie Gawilan still tries to live a fulfilling life.

The 33-year-old, who walks with slippers on his knees, has underdeveloped extremities following a botched abortion, after his father abandoned his mother in the middle of the pregnancy.

A tough childhood ensued as his mother died of cholera when he was just five months old, leaving him in his grandfather's care.

Gawilan, who is in Singapore for the May 17-19 Citi Para Swimming World Series, said it was tough for him to accept the truth initially, but he has come to terms with his situation.

The four-gold Asian Para Games winner told The Straits Times via a translator: "At first it was very unacceptable for me, I honestly wished that it would have pushed through, so I was successfully aborted.

"And I hated it because I was born with disabilities. But, since then, I just chose to stay positive.