Paralympian Mariappan Perumal, 58, won Malaysia's first Paralympic medal in 1988, at the games in Seoul, South Korea, and then another in 1992 (in Barcelona, Spain). He is a seven-time Paralympian and this is his story:

When I started powerlifting in 1980, I never saw myself being rich from it because I knew it wasn't a famous sport, and I was a disabled athlete.

I chose to train anyway, hoping that one day I would be a household name that could bring change to the sporting scene.

Eventually I managed to win two bronze medals for Malaysia.

Yet here I am, in this tiny living room of mine with nothing to offer but my story.

I was a seven-time Paralympian, an ice cream seller, a tailor and also a lift attendant.

Those were some very tough times, I still feel like I had been used like a piece of rag.

I haven't signed an autograph for so long, this is the first time in about five years.

I try not to complain, but it's hard when there are four other mouths, besides mine, to feed.

My children are in school and my son wants to be a powerlifter like me. He even has a picture of Arnold Schwarzenegger hung up on the wall.

How will I show him this is a sustainable future when I live in a dump like this?

It breaks my heart to think about this, but I am really grateful disabled athletes now get the same treatment as able-bodied athletes - they truly deserve it.

I want to make sure other athletes won't be forgotten the same way as me. These athletes work hard all their lives, and they only deserve the best.

This story was first published on the HUMANS OF KUALA LUMPUR Facebook page. In this photography project, Mushamir Mustafa takes pictures of random people in Kuala Lumpur, who share with him a story from their lives. It features on Malaysiakini every weekend.