Zack Petersen

My Jakarta: Paralympic Athlete Ida Yani

Ida Yani hasn’t seen a movie in a theater since she was a teenager, but it’s not because this 37-year-old hates movies; it’s because she’s in a wheelchair and hasn’t found a cinema in Jakarta that is wheelchair-accessible.

But being paraplegic hasn’t stopped Ida from pursuing her dreams. She doesn’t see obstacles as problems, just as challenges that need to be overcome. And that same mind-set could be what took her to the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing.

Ida lives at Cheshire House, and organization which helps paraplegics learn new skills. Read our story about it here.

Have you always been in a wheelchair?

I used to do acrobatics with my family. When I was 18, I was swinging on the trapeze with a new partner. Our timing was off and I fell and missed the net.

How long have you been playing tennis?

About four years now. In the beginning, it was just for fun. But three years ago, I started to play competitively.

What’s it like playing tennis in a wheelchair?

The strength doesn’t come from your hips, it’s more your upper body. The most important thing is running down the ball. Timing is important too. You have to swing and use both hands to position the chair. We have special chairs, where we’re strapped in so we don’t fall. The wheels on the chairs are slanted so we can go faster, maneuver quicker and turn with ease.

What’s the difference between regular tennis and tennis in a wheelchair?

The only difference is the ball can bounce twice.

What was it like to be in Beijing representing Indonesia in the Paralympics?

I was very happy to be there. It was my first time competing in the Games.

In terms of facilities for the disabled, how does Jakarta compare to Beijing?

Going from the Olympic village to the playing courts was easy. I went to the Great Wall too, where there was a ramp and someone who pushed me up. All the toilets were also accessible.

How many athletes from Indonesia went to the Paralympics?

Three — me, a swimmer and a weightlifter — and three coaches.

Do you watch a lot of tennis on TV?

I like watching tennis whenever it’s on TV. I’ve never seen a wheelchair game televised, but I watch matches on the Internet.

How long have you lived at Cheshire House?

Since 2002. I had been living at home, but there was nothing to do there. I feel more comfortable here, because everything is accessible. Back home, the doorways were too small. But here, there are big showers and parallel bars in the bathrooms.

When you go out, where do you usually go?

The mall, the supermarket, wherever I want to. I go to practice three times a week. But it’s not easy to live in Jakarta because the city lacks facilities like ramps.

What about going to the movies?

Since I’ve been in a wheelchair, I haven’t seen a movie in a movie theater.

Where’s your favorite place to play tennis?

I practice here by Fatmawati Hospital, but my favorite places are the Sultan Hotel and the courts in Rawamangun.

You have a coach. Does he also playin a wheelchair?

No, but he gets in one for me.

Are we going to see you in the London Games?

I don’t know. There are still a lot of competitions until then. We don’t have any sponsors, so we don’t play in that many tournaments. Overseas, they have all kinds of facilities.

Did you ever think you would represent Indonesia at the Paralympics?

It never crossed my mind to play tennis. A year and a half after I fell, I just started thinking about setting goals, you know, achieving something. The first thing I did was start making handicrafts to keep busy. Then I came here to Cheshire House and I started playing tennis.

Has there ever been a couple who met and fell in love here at Cheshire House?

Yes. There’s a couple who met here, fell in love and got married.

After hearing that Ida hadn’t enjoyed the comfort of a movie theater in 19 years, the folks at blitzmegaplex, with their completely wheelchair-accessible cinemas, handed out 27 tickets — one for every person living at Cheshire House.

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