Typing pro overcomes disability by using his toes
Published: 22 Aug. 2009, 05:48
Moon Seong-young could probably beat you in a typing contest... with his toes.
Literally.
The 22-year-old, who lost both his arms in an accident when he was youngster, recently obtained a Word Processing Level 1 certification, the most advanced of the three levels.
He was able to earn the certificate by using his toes to press computer keys.
“I told many of my friends about the certificate I got,” Moon said, smiling. “But they just joked around, saying, ‘What is so special about getting the certificate?’ I don’t care what they say though.”
It’s quite an accomplishment, even for people who have both arms.
In order to obtain the certificate, you must pass a written exam that tests overall knowledge related to creating documents and a practical exam where you have to actually have to create and format a document in 30 minutes. To pass the practical test, you need to be able to type at least 200 words per minute.
The examination is so difficult that only 30 to 40 percent of those who take it pass.
Moon, who lives in Jeonju, North Jeolla, failed on his first try in March this year but was successful the second time around.
“I have no trouble playing computer games or having a chat online since I can type on the keyboard with my toes freely,” he said.
Moon lost both of his arms when he was in the third grade.
While heading home from school one day, he looked to escape a sudden storm by ducking into a substation inside a building, where he was electrocuted. Moon was knocked to the ground and quickly lost consciousness. When he awoke, he found himself lying in a hospital - minus his arms, which had been amputated.
“I suffered from severe depression after the accident,” he said. “I even left the house and wandered around for over a month when I was a teenager. But I was able to stand up again with the support of family and friends.”
Moon is currently a junior majoring in theology at Hanil University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Wanju, North Jeolla. He wants to become a pastor who can give hope to the disabled.
“My next goal is getting a driver’s license,” he said. “A disability is nothing if you have a strong spirit.”
By Jang Dae-suk [[email protected]]
Moon Seong-young
Literally.
The 22-year-old, who lost both his arms in an accident when he was youngster, recently obtained a Word Processing Level 1 certification, the most advanced of the three levels.
He was able to earn the certificate by using his toes to press computer keys.
“I told many of my friends about the certificate I got,” Moon said, smiling. “But they just joked around, saying, ‘What is so special about getting the certificate?’ I don’t care what they say though.”
It’s quite an accomplishment, even for people who have both arms.
In order to obtain the certificate, you must pass a written exam that tests overall knowledge related to creating documents and a practical exam where you have to actually have to create and format a document in 30 minutes. To pass the practical test, you need to be able to type at least 200 words per minute.
The examination is so difficult that only 30 to 40 percent of those who take it pass.
Moon, who lives in Jeonju, North Jeolla, failed on his first try in March this year but was successful the second time around.
“I have no trouble playing computer games or having a chat online since I can type on the keyboard with my toes freely,” he said.
Moon lost both of his arms when he was in the third grade.
While heading home from school one day, he looked to escape a sudden storm by ducking into a substation inside a building, where he was electrocuted. Moon was knocked to the ground and quickly lost consciousness. When he awoke, he found himself lying in a hospital - minus his arms, which had been amputated.
“I suffered from severe depression after the accident,” he said. “I even left the house and wandered around for over a month when I was a teenager. But I was able to stand up again with the support of family and friends.”
Moon is currently a junior majoring in theology at Hanil University and Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Wanju, North Jeolla. He wants to become a pastor who can give hope to the disabled.
“My next goal is getting a driver’s license,” he said. “A disability is nothing if you have a strong spirit.”
By Jang Dae-suk [[email protected]]
Moon Seong-young
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
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