With para-rock climbing, Lee's life becomes colourful

Determined not to let her visual impairment stop her from leading an active life, Emily Lee has represented Singapore in goalball and para-cycling, and taken part in races such as the Great Eastern Women's Run.

- Melvyn Teoh

The 55-year-old’s latest pursuit is para-rock climbing, having picked up the sport in November 2024. She also signed up for Merdeka Monkey: Beyond Sight, Singapore's first blindfolded climbing competition, which took place at Outpost Climbing gym at Crawford Lane from Oct 15 to 17.

Organised by Outpost Climbing in partnership with the Singapore Disability Sports Council, local social service agencies and Japanese nonprofit group Monkey Magic, the competition saw 10 teams of sighted and visually impaired climbers work together to score points within a time limit.

Lee, who was born with a congenital eye condition that caused weak vision, became completely blind by the age of 28. But that did not deter her from picking up sports.

“I feel that by keeping away from people for a while, it was good to have your own quiet time.