Sunday, May 24, 2009

Although Ralph suffers from a rare condition which doctors have yet to diagnose, he has been going on cycling trips with his father for the last five years. The pair even took part in their first triathlon last month.

When he takes part in triathlons with Ralph, Mr Payne swims alone before cycling with Ralph in a modified bicycle and pushing him in a push chair for the final stretch of the race.

For the Bintan Triathlon, organised by Tribob, Mr Payne will need to swim 750m, followed by a 20km bike route and end with a 5km run.

Taking part with Ralph, however, means that Mr Payne has an additional 65kg load to carry. His bike weighs 35kg and Ralph, 30kg.

Yet, he says, having his son with him during the race is not a burden, but a motivation.

He added: 'With Ralph, it becomes a different sort of race. It's less about getting a good timing, and more about having fun.'

Despite that, the pair finished their first triathlon last month in a time of 1 hour 39 minutes, placing them around 500 out of 1,000 participants.

They have been taking part in triathlons, hoping to change how people perceive the disabled.

It is difficult. But what keeps him going, said MrPayne, is a video which he saw last year.

The video, Team Hoyt, which was posted on YouTube, is about a father who also takes part in triathlons with his physically disabled son.

Mr Payne said: 'Ralph has reminded me that life isn't perfect. But as a parent and a human, I owe it to him to make him as happy as possible.'

This is why he is also racing to raise money for the Asian Women's Welfare Association school which Ralph attends.

The father-son duo have raised $30,000 so far.