VICTORIA School principal Low Eng Teong said Secondary 4 students were introduced to basic cable water skiing last year.

During the fifth and last lesson of the module, he said Muhd Noor Azri complained he had a headache and difficulty moving his left limbs.

He said the PE teacher who accompanied Muhd Noor Azri and his classmates to the ski park then called an ambulance and Muhd Noor Azri was sent to hospital.

He told The New Paper in an e-mail: 'After the incident, the school immediately took up several fund-raising efforts to support the family financially as we knew his father had to take time off from work to help look after him.'

Mr Low said the school helped facilitate the insurance claims under the school insurance scheme, through which the family received hospitalisation allowance and eventually disability benefits.

He added that they also worked with the Central Community Development Council and the Society for the Physically Disabled on financial and other forms of support for Muhd Noor Azri and his family.

Mr Low said a fund has been set up for Muhd Noor Azri in anticipation of when he returns to school.

He declined to say how much it was but said it was sufficient to take care of his school fees, examination fees, transport costs and even provide him a weekly allowance if needed.

Mr Low said the school's teachers, alumni and parent support group donated more than $2,000 to the family.

Muhd Noor Azri is still on the school rolls and is on long medical leave.

Mr Low said several teachers and the school counsellor visit him regularly, and Muhd Noor Azri attends major school functions such as its anniversary and speech days.

'We are prepared to tailor the curriculum to meet his learning needs. The school has added ramps to make the environment conducive for wheelchair-bound students.

'We are confident that we can support him once he is assessed to be ready for school,' he said.

This article was first published in The New Paper on Oct 17, 2008.