UWC was the inspiration behind Mark’s global communications company. Firstly it enabled Mark to communicate with college friends; which in turn identified the need for affordable global calling methods.  The company has grown enormously and is now operating in 56 countries. 

 

During his time at UWC, Mark wrote and published his autobiography, which became a best seller in China.  Later a TV series was made and now it has been turned into an Opera/musical. This fame has enabled Mark to become the voice for disabled people in China.

 

Mark was injured in an air crash when he was twelve and during the years of rehabilitation and recuperation he taught himself his schoolwork and through sheer determination kept up with his peers.   He heard about UWC when Her Majesty Queen Sonja of Norway visited The China Rehabilitation and Research Center. She set up a scholarship fund to allow one disabled Chinese student per year to attend Red Cross Nordic UWC. 

 

Describing UWC as bringing him to a mini ‘United Nations’, and vastly different from schools in China, Mark was able to learn English quickly and changed from speaking only Chinese when he started at UWC, to speaking English as his main language. “Now I have friends all other the world. My thinking became bigger, taking in things I had not considered.  UWC taught that sometimes things are difficult but even with a disability; you can still be a viable asset to your family and community. I owe everything to UWC – my friends, career, fame”.

 

Due to the problems Mark had with his crutches on the snow and ice at UWC, he was encouraged to learn to ski, and went on to win 2 gold medals at The 36th Disabled Ski Championship (1999) in Norway.

 

The greatest achievement for Mark so far has been to overcome the disaster of his air crash, and to live happily. “The rehabilitation centre enabled me to stand – UWC gave me the wings to fly. The two years that I spent at UWC were key in turning my life around. I have proved to myself that I am capable and have turned my life around. I want others to see that they can turn their lives around”.

 

Mark is an active UWC graduate and helps to facilitate volunteer opportunities with the disabled person association in China. Mark has also been working for eight years to create a UWC in China - it is a dream he is determined to see to fruition.  Recently HM Queen Sonja of Norway pledged to support a UWC in China. Mark’s novel is now being made into a film and will be shown before the Olympics in China.