Former Juvenile Offender Becomes Physiotherapist, Opens Clinic to Help Underprivileged
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Chan Hau-man, a 36-year-old physiotherapist who grew up in a grassroots family in Wong Tai Sin's Chuk Chuen Estate, has turned his life around from troubled youth to healthcare professional . After failing his Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) English and serving a community service order, Chan was encouraged by his brother to retake Form 7, eventually passing English and improving one subject from Grade D to B . Despite three rejections from his dream physiotherapy program at Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), Chan persevered and gained admission through the second cohort of PolyU's Master of Physiotherapy program, becoming one of only five students accepted from 1,200 applicants . Now with a decade of experience working at various institutions including Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Chan has founded his own clinic featuring Hong Kong's first hydrotherapy pool with Olympic-grade water circulation system in a commercial building . His mission was sparked by the suicide of a Parkinson's patient who lacked access to comprehensive treatment, leading him to pledge sponsoring 100 treatment sessions for Parkinson's patients .
Key Points
- Chan was born and raised in Chuk Chuen Estate, Wong Tai Sin, and attended Ruttonjee & Tang Shun Kin Di Nethersole Secondary School in Kowloon Bay
- He scored 20 points in the HKCEE but failed English in HKALE and received a community service order, delaying his university dreams
- After retaking Form 7, Chan improved his English pass and raised one subject from D to B in his second HKALE attempt
- Despite being rejected by PolyU's physiotherapy bachelor's program, Chan earned a HKBU Sports and Recreation Management degree before entering PolyU's Master of Physiotherapy program
- He was among the first 5 admitted out of 1,200 applicants to PolyU's second cohort Master of Physiotherapy program and later earned an additional Manipulation Therapy Master's degree
- His new clinic in a commercial building features Hong Kong's first hydrotherapy pool with Olympic-level water recycling system
- Chan has committed to sponsoring 100 treatment sessions for Parkinson's patients following his tragic encounter with a patient who died by suicide
- He has worked for non-profit organizations, private clinics, and Queen Elizabeth Hospital over his 10-year career
Why It Matters
This story highlights how perseverance through adversity can lead to professional success and social contribution in Hong Kong's healthcare sector . Chan's establishment of a clinic with specialized hydrotherapy facilities in a commercial setting sets a new precedent for accessible rehabilitation services in the city . His commitment to supporting underprivileged patients, particularly those with Parkinson's disease, addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's elderly care and rehabilitation infrastructure .
This story highlights how perseverance through adversity can lead to professional success and social contribution in Hong Kong's healthcare sector . Chan's establishment of a clinic with specialized hydrotherapy facilities in a commercial setting sets a new precedent for accessible rehabilitation services in the city . His commitment to supporting underprivileged patients, particularly those with Parkinson's disease, addresses a critical gap in Hong Kong's elderly care and rehabilitation infrastructure .