The unbreakable spirit of wheelchair fencer Daniel Lee

 Living with a rare brittle bone disease, this sportsman refuses to be defined by his limits, pushing forward with tenacity and grit.

Wheelchair fencer Daniel Lee, who has osteogenesis imperfecta, continues to rise above his condition with steady resolve. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

PETALING JAYA:

 Daniel Lee was poised, his body still, his focus unwavering. In his hand, a sword glinted under the light. Every movement that followed was measured, every motion controlled.

This is fencing. But not quite the kind most people are used to – Lee was seated in a wheelchair.

What made the moment even more remarkable is that he lives with osteogenesis imperfecta – a rare genetic condition commonly known as brittle bone disease, where bones can break easily. It is something he has lived with since birth.

So, every time he fences, there is an element of risk. But for Lee, it is one that must be understood, not feared.

“I always take calculated risks, I know there is always a risk of injury with my condition when doing any sport, but there’s also a risk of breaking bones just going out of the house.

“So, I weigh those options and make sure I take all the precautions needed to achieve what I want,” Lee told FMT Lifestyle.

Lee has lived with osteogenesis imperfecta, also known as brittle bones, since birth. (Daniel Lee pic)

That mindset has been shaped by a lifetime of navigating fragility.

“I’ve been breaking bones my whole life – so much so that I stopped walking at around two or three years old. I have no memory of walking,” said Lee, 34.

His family could not afford a wheelchair until he was 10 years old. Until then, his mother carried him everywhere.

Still, amid those challenges, his late father constantly encouraged him to push himself – a mindset evident in how Lee approaches fencing today.

“As a kid, I always wanted to play sports, but I wasn’t allowed to. In school, I would sit alone in the classroom every week during physical education, watching my friends go out to play.

“That was really hard for me because I felt excluded.”

Lee has also explored wheelchair racing. (Daniel Lee pic)

At home, Lee was active – climbing and mimicking what he saw in Jackie Chan’s movies, even if it meant breaking another bone. As a child, he saw himself as no different from others.

His parents, he added, recognised his tenacity.

That determination found its direction when Lee watched the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics.

“I thought, ‘Wow, I want to be there one day – not in the crowd, but as an athlete looking at the crowd’. That feeling stayed with me.”

Over the years, that spark turned into action. He began exploring different sports, from wheelchair racing and boxing to sitting volleyball.

Together with two others, he completed a 100km ultramarathon in 2013, raising over RM169,000 for Dignity for Children Foundation.

Lee with his fencing coach, Muhammad Amir Adha Abu Bakar. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

He eventually discovered wheelchair fencing and began training at Blade Fencing Kuala Lumpur last year. “Wheelchair fencing is very interesting to me because I’ve always liked combat sports. I like the physicality of it.

“I like having an opponent in front of me I have to overcome, and I like the strategy that comes with it,” he said.

Next, Lee aims to qualify for the Asean Para Games next year and the 2028 Summer Paralympics in Los Angeles.

“It is a tall order. I’m basically fighting against the odds, from not knowing wheelchair fencing a year ago to aiming for the 2028 Summer Paralympics. It may seem like a lot of time, but it’s actually very short. So, I’m doing whatever I can to go against the odds.”

One of the reasons Lee enjoys wheelchair fencing is the challenge of overcoming his opponent. (Muhammad Rabbani Jamian @ FMT Lifestyle)

But beyond the competitions, actively participating in sports has always been about something deeper. He calls it “Push to Inspire”, a philosophy he lives by.

“It’s a belief that everyone can push beyond their perceived limitations and challenges to achieve their God-given potential. When we do that, we inspire others to do the same.”

Today, Lee is also an inspirational speaker and founder of “360 All Ability”, a business with a social cause to improve inclusion for people with disabilities.

“Everyone has the potential to achieve success in life. Don’t let anyone tell you differently if you have a vision and a goal.

“I always believe you need a strong purpose. When you have a strong reason to achieve something, you will overcome any obstacle along the way.

“So, find the reason why.” - FMT

Follow Daniel Lee and 360 All Ability on Instagram.