A Hong Kong dancer severely injured during a tragic 2022 concert accident has shared a promising update on his long road to recovery, demonstrating tangible progress in rebuilding critical muscle function. Li Kai-yin, known professionally as Ah Mo, who was paralyzed after a massive video screen collapsed on him during a MIRROR concert in July 2022, posted a video on social media showcasing a new rehabilitation exercise designed to enhance his independence.
Ah Mo’s message, shared on his Instagram account yesterday, detailed the specialized exercise that focuses on bolstering the musculature required for operating an electric wheelchair. The dancer’s post, captioned “New exercise unlocked!” announced a minor yet crucial achievement in his continuous three-and-a-half-year therapeutic journey. The update received an immediate outpouring of support from fans and fellow celebrities, including Grace Wong, Jill Vidal, Kay Tse, Kary Ng, and Sherman Chung.
Building Strength for Mobility
The footage showed Ah Mo utilizing his upper-body dexterity, specifically his arm muscles, to methodically move a grounded wooden pole side-to-side. He described the significance of this task in an accompanying caption: “Feel like sharing a little step of my progress, Being able to hold a grounded stick upright while moving it in control helps strengthening some of the muscles required for driving an electric wheelchair.”
This controlled movement, which Ah Mo noted he has been able to perform since December, represents a vital step toward regaining autonomous movement. Spinal cord injuries often necessitate extensive physical therapy focused on maximizing the use of unaffected muscle groups, often leading to the utilization of specialized equipment like electric wheelchairs for mobility. The dancer’s ability to perform this exercise indicates not only muscular improvement but also neurological adaptation and sustained commitment to his rigorous rehabilitation schedule.
The severity of the incident, which saw Ah Mo sustain grave neck and spinal injuries while performing for the Canto-pop sensation MIRROR, paralyzed him from the neck down. His treatment has been ongoing since the accident, involving extensive hospital stays and complex physical rehabilitation protocols.
The Power of Perseverance and Public Support
Ah Mo’s public updates serve a dual purpose: they track his personal health benchmarks while simultaneously offering inspiration to others facing immense physical challenges. Celebrities and fans rallied in the comments section, praising his resilience. “係咪好威？” (Isn’t that impressive?), Ah Mo proudly asked in the video—a sentiment echoed by those witnessing his incremental victories.
The dancer’s case brought widespread attention to workplace safety issues within the entertainment industry in Hong Kong. While the legal and professional aftermath of the concert tragedy continues to unfold, Ah Mo’s focus remains singular: recovery.
The ability to successfully manipulate the joystick and maintain stability while driving an electric wheelchair relies heavily on core and fine motor control in the arms—precisely the muscle groups targeted by this “unlocked” exercise. As therapeutic science aims for functional independence for spinal injury patients, these small achievements translate directly into monumental gains in daily living quality.
Moving forward, sustained progress in exercises of this nature will pave the way for increased self-sufficiency. Ah Mo’s current trajectory highlights the critical role of dedicated physical therapy and relentless personal effort in navigating life after a catastrophic injury. His ongoing recovery progress remains a powerful testament to human resilience.
