AT 51, Mr Yap Leong Sun is the oldest graduate at Temasek Polytechnic this year.

But that is not the only thing special about him.

Over 20 years ago, he cheated death when he was in a midair collision with a fellow skydiver.

Then, he was a Special Forces Staff Sergeant taking part in a routine training exercise.

He fell from a height of about 20 floors and landed feet-first onto hard tarmac.

The impact smashed both ankles, fractured his right leg in four different places, fractured a portion of his spine, and ruptured his spleen.

He was hospitalised for six months and took three years before he was back on his feet.

He decided to further his education in the 90s, taking a course at the Institute of Technical Education, followed by a diploma in electronics at Temasek Polytechnic.

He has been offered a place at the Nanyang Technological University to do a part time course in electrical and electronic engineering.

Yesterday, he received the Tay Eng Soon Gold Award for his achievements.

Said the father of two teenage boys who walks with the help of a walking stick: 'I was miserable for a long time after the accident. Getting this award has enhanced my self esteem. I can tell people I'm disabled, but not unabled.'