A Gift of Talent

A single mum, Sandy Tan has been looking after her 20-year-old son Jayden Ong, who was diagnosed with autism when he was about four years old. A few years ago, it all became overwhelming, and she decided to take a step back.

“I felt that I needed to do something for myself,” says Sandy. That led her to pursue her love for sewing and turned this into an income-generating activity. With newfound confidence, Sandy started to encourage her son’s passion for art. This led to Jayden attending a creative art programme, and after fully utilising a training grant, he tapped on the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund to continue with the programme.

A recent project featuring his art piece of a massive lantern went on display at Gardens by the Bay.

“As caregivers, we will get older. I am not sure if he could work part-time in the future,” says Sandy. Jayden had completed his training in hospitality housekeeping but found himself not ready for full-time work. She had also enrolled her son in an institute for higher learning, but the learning environment was hard for Jayden to cope with, due to his anxiety issues.

With the help of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund, Sandy is proud and hopeful that this newfound talent could bring some positive change in their lives. “Jayden would like to earn some allowance for himself,” she says.

She was born deaf, lost half her sight to the eye disease Retinitis Pigmentosa, yet remains very optimistic. Anyone who feels put out by what life doles out needs a dose of Faith. The 47-year-old is a bundle of joy, especially now that she has an avenue to express her hopes – digital art.

Blurred images are part of her everyday life. Still, Faith is thankful that she hasn’t lost her eyesight completely, which doctors had said would happen 10 years ago, and is glad that she can distinguish colours and see shapes in bright light.

“I loved art since I was young,” says Faith, who decided to pursue her passion in earnest only in late 2023, after she left her job at a cafe. “I realised then how much I love art. So, I explored what I could do, because just normal drawing with a pen or pencil isn’t possible. I cannot see,” she explains.

Signing up for a course in digital art opened a new world for Faith. “I realised that with digital art, I can see with my own eyes what I am drawing, so I decided to pursue the dream.”

Faith wasn’t always as sure of herself as she is now. “I completed school without obtaining O-level qualifications, and my hearing and visual impairments often left me unsure of my abilities and struggling with feelings of inferiority,” she recalls. “I was often worrying and feeling insecure about my future.”

Today, Faith spends most of her time refining her talent at home, which is a rental flat she shares with her mother. Through her social worker, Faith tapped on the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund to buy a tablet and stylus that allow her to spend more time refining her digital art skills. She can now spend as much time as possible sketching on the bright iPad screen, shading colours using codes. It usually takes her a few days to create each of her artworks, which are mainly nature-themed.

Faith’s latest artwork is titled “Live in the Present”.  She says the piece is a visual representation of her life journey and hopes that her personal expression through art can serve as an encouragement to others facing challenges, while inspiring hope and resilience.

“The Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund has truly made a significant difference in my life, and for that, I am forever grateful,” she says.

“The Fund has not only eased my financial burden, but it also inspired a newfound sense of purpose and hope within me. With the aid of this gift, I am eager to embark on a new chapter in my life.”

WARNA 942 DJ A B Shaik spent a day getting acquainted with Amirul Afiq, a beneficiary of the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund.

Amirul was born deaf, but he has never allowed his disability to deter him from living life to the fullest. The Fund aided Amirul in purchasing a cochlear implant, which allowed him to fulfil his childhood dream of learning to drive.

You too can make a difference and support persons with disabilities like Navin by giving to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund at giving.sg/GCTEnableFund.

Formerly the Mediacorp Enable Fund, the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund was renamed after its Patron, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, to better reflect its roots and intent in aiding persons with disabilities to actively contribute to society and lead socially integrated lives. The Fund is administered by SG Enable, and supported by Mediacorp.

#GCTEnableFund #GohChokTongEnableFund

Richie Koh and Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund beneficiary Fengze spent the day together and bonded over their love for all things superheroes.

Diagnosed with autism and Pierre Robin Syndrome, which causes breathing difficulties, Fengze is unable to communicate verbally and requires constant care and supervision from his parents to ensure his safety.

You too can make a difference and support persons with disabilities like Navin by giving to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund at giving.sg/GCTEnableFund.

Formerly the Mediacorp Enable Fund, the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund was renamed after its Patron, Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, to better reflect its roots and intent in aiding persons with disabilities to actively contribute to society and lead socially integrated lives. The Fund is administered by SG Enable, and supported by Mediacorp.

#GCTEnableFund #GohChokTongEnableFund

Mary Sagaya travelling on her motorised wheelchair, which she purchased with aid from the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund (GCTEF)

Weekends are always busy for 41-year-old Executive Assistant, Mary Sagaya; like most, she spends quality time with her family either visiting various parks or going shopping. It has been six years since Mary purchased her motorised wheelchair with aid from the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund (GCTEF), which Mary shared, has allowed her to once again travel independently.

A life full of challenges

At birth, Mary was diagnosed with Congenital Band Syndrome, a condition where tissue bands form around fingers or limbs, affecting the blood flow and growth of the joints. For Mary specifically, the syndrome caused deformation in her fingers and legs.

As a student, Mary attended a mainstream school but recalled the tough journey she underwent. “They (the other students) would tease me, call me alien and all sorts of other names,” Mary shared with a wry laugh.

However, that was the least of Mary’s concerns. Up till the age of 18, Mary had to undergo multiple operations to straighten her bent legs. Unfortunately, a nerve was severed from Mary’s last surgery, which cost her the ability to walk. Despite the setback, Mary and her family took this in their stride. Mary explained, “All my life I was constantly in pain but now, because I lost all sensation in my legs, there was no more pain.”

But that was not the last hurdle Mary had to overcome. Due to the loss of feeling in her legs, Mary was unaware when she had badly gashed the sole of her left foot on a piece of glass. The severe injury led to gangrene, leaving doctors with no choice but to amputate her left leg below the knee. Following the amputation in 2001, Mary tried adapting to life with a prosthetic leg but further complications resulted in Mary having to undergo another procedure to further amputate her left leg, this time above her knee.

The tough gets going

In the early days of adjusting to her decreased mobility, Mary refused to rely on a wheelchair to get around. She tried giving crutches a go, but found that it was too physically demanding. She became reluctant to go out despite constant encouragement from her mother.

Now, after six years of using a motorised wheelchair, Mary chuckles at her initial reluctance. “I have freedom!” Mary exclaims ecstatically while explaining her commutes on the public transport system including buses and MRT trains.

Mary commuting on the public transport system

Today, Mary commutes daily from her home in Bukit Panjang to her parent’s place in Choa Chu Kang to care for her ailing mother. Seasoned with the use of her motorised wheelchair, Mary accompanies her mother and sister for medical appointments and sends her nephew and nieces for their tuition classes.

A new-found confidence

Mary attributes her new-found confidence to her supportive workplace, Chapman Consulting Group Pte Ltd, and encouraging colleagues who are fellow wheelchair users. Mary is also grateful to the Handicaps Welfare Association for directing her to the GCTEF, which promptly assisted Mary in purchasing her motorised wheelchair. “I have to use the H word, handicapped. Really! Without it, my daily living activities would be limited.”

With her motorised wheelchair, Mary is once again able to travel confidently on her own

Taking all the obstacles she has faced in her stride, Mary is now a highly positive and confident individual.

Mary is one of over 1,000 persons with disabilities who have had their aspirations and needs met through the GCTEF. Since its inception in 2016, the GCTEF has improved the employability of another 1,000 and reached over 40,000 Singaporeans in promoting social inclusivity.

Ho Wen Xi posing in her favourite princess dress

An enthusiastic seeker of knowledge with an inquisitive mind, eight-year-old Ho Wen Xi loves learning and reading. Like most girls her age, she also enjoys getting crafting and playing dress up. However, behind that sweet smile is a story of a tenacious girl who is facing multiple health struggles.

Wen Xi was born with Fanconi Anemia (FA), a rare genetic disorder that causes physical malformations and gradual bone marrow failure. For Wen Xi, FA has affected her vision, hearing, the skeletal structure of her hands and resulted in overlapping kidneys. Wen Xi’s speech delay, another effect of FA, had also concerned her parents who decided to pick up and teach Wen Xi sign language. Goo Siew Lin, Wen Xi’s mother, recalled “After learning sign language, Wen Xi was often calmer because she now had a means to communicate with us.”.

Wen Xi’s speech breakthrough was in 2019, after she watched a performance of her favourite animated movie Frozen. “She came up to me to ask if I could buy her an Elsa (princess character in Frozen) dress. She also started singing along to Frozen songs and was subsequently chattier.” Siew Lin recalled.

Tenacity amid health challenges

Wen Xi celebrating her fifth birthday in the hospital

Later in the same year, Wen Xi was scheduled for hand reconstruction surgery, but the doctors discovered her declining platelet count which required her to undergo a bone marrow transplant. During the six months that she was hospitalised, Wen Xi underwent multiple medical procedures.

Siew Lin recounted, “She was prepared for the procedures because she liked reading up on the human body. The nurses were surprised by her bravery, she was not scared of the needles or blood.”. With aspirations of pursuing a career in the medical field one day, Wen Xi regularly reads up about the human body.

In April 2020, Wen Xi was finally discharged from the hospital. However, she was still battling other complex medical conditions including esophageal stricture, the narrowing of the esophagus, and motor difficulties due to a bilateral hip dislocation, which required follow up treatment. She also subsequently developed cyclical vomiting syndrome (CVS), a rare condition that causes repeated episodes of vomiting and nausea.

An inquisitive knowledge seeker

Wen Xi getting crafty, making miniature animals

“Wen Xi loves reading and learning but because of CVS, some enrichment classes turned down her applications. It breaks my heart.” Siew Lin explained.

Wen Xi also had to delay her Primary One registration twice which dampened her excitement as she was looking forward to starting school. Fulfilling her wishes, Wen Xi’s parents enrolled her in the Little Hands Bilingual-Bicultural Programme (LHBBP) run by the Singapore Association for the Deaf (SADeaf). “We are grateful that the LHBBP by SADeaf accommodated Wen Xi, and was more than willing to have her join classes when she was feeling well.” Ho Choong On, Wen Xi’s father, shared.

A Helping Hand

Recognising their situation, SADeaf referred the family to the Goh Chok Tong Enable Fund to help alleviate the transportation costs to and fro home and the National University Hospital thrice a week for Wen Xi’s medical appointments. “Due to her condition, we had to hail a taxi whenever we brought Wen Xi for her appointments. The costs added up, but the GCTEF has lightened that financial strain.” Siew Lin explained. In supporting the aspirations of persons with disabilities, the GCTEF has also covered Wen Xi’s LHBBP fees since 2022.

Wen Xi with her father Ho Choong On and mother Siew Lin

“When her CVS stops, we hope to treat Wen Xi’s esophageal stricture and enroll her in a mainstream school.” shared a hopeful Siew Lin.

Wen Xi is one of over 1,000 persons with disabilities who have had their aspirations and needs met through the GCTEF. Since its inception in 2016, the GCTEF has improved the employability of another 1,000 and reached over 40,000 Singaporeans in promoting social inclusivity.

Not boxed in by disability

He swims and plays bocce. He has tried archery and horseriding. He has even given powerlifting a go. But the sport he loves best is boxing.

On his passion, 17-year-old Keith Tan says: “I have loved combat sports since young, so taking up boxing is natural for me. I find strength when I’m doing it, and it trains my mind to be sharper.”

Indeed, strength may be an important attribute for most teenage boys but for Keith, a second-year student at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) @ Simei, it is especially significant because he has spastic diplegia cerebral palsy.

A different childhood

He was diagnosed with the neurological condition when he was one.

“As a baby, I wasn’t that active. I wasn’t rolling around or crawling. I would just lie there. My aunt was the one who first noticed it. So, my mother went to the doctor to see if this was cause for concern. The doctor then told my mum that I have cerebral palsy.”

The condition affects muscle control and coordination – it increases muscle tone such that a person’s muscles become stiff, and reflexes are exaggerated. Motor or movement milestones tend to be delayed too. 

For Keith, this means that doing “even the simplest stuff” has been a challenge. He requires help for daily activities like bathing, getting dressed and visiting the toilet, and moves around in a wheelchair. 

“My movements, especially waist down, are restricted. I can’t stand with both hands free. One hand has to be holding on to something for support. Speech is another thing. Sometimes my voice sounds strained because my muscles tense up.”

To help him, Keith always has a domestic helper by his side, even when he goes to school. However, he shares that having an adult supervising his every move has put a dampener on making new friends.

“I can’t be myself because there is always someone there. So, I am more guarded and that has contributed to my introverted nature. But I want to change that as I get older. I want to be more independent.”

Ticked the right boxes

Keith having a post-session debrief with his boxing coach after his training.

In October 2019, Keith decided to take up boxing, a sport that had intrigued him for a long time.

In his search for a school that would take him in, Keith chanced upon the Spartans Boxing Club. He wrote in without much expectation, but was warmly welcomed by the owner and he soon started lessons.

However, as Keith progressed, he realised that his wheelchair was not ideal for the sport, and he needed a sturdier wheelchair that could move around better. This was tough for his single mum who works in F&B, as a new wheelchair could easily cost up to a five-figure sum.

With assistance from the Mediacorp Enable Fund, Keith was able to buy a customised wheelchair that can support him better as he spars and trains. The new wheelchair is also lighter, making it easier for Tan to manoeuvre as he goes about his daily activities.

For the aspiring programmer who intends to further his studies at a polytechnic after he graduates from ITE, boxing seems to be the sport that has ticked all the right boxes for him.

“This is something I can do for the long haul, and I am grateful to be able to receive help from MEF to buy a new wheelchair so that I can continue my passion.”

Heng Lye Nging has not had it easy. Her only child, Lina, was born with developmental delay, autism and hearing impairment, something she only confirmed when her child was three years old. Lina is now 24.

“I suspected something was wrong because she wasn’t behaving like other children. She started babbling at eight months but stopped soon after. She never learnt to walk. She didn’t play with other children,” recalled Madam Heng.

It took several visits to various hospitals before Lina’s disabilities were diagnosed. Madam Heng’s in-laws could not accept the girl’s condition and her marriage broke down soon after.

Although she was entitled to both alimony and child support after the divorce, Madam Heng never demanded either.

“If my ex-husband has money, he will give me some. If not, I don’t ask,” she said. “I only ask that he takes Lina out every weekend to spend time with her. That was my only condition.”

Lasting Devotion

Left to support Lina on her own, Madam Heng began to work at coffee shops as a stall assistant, often clocking in 12- to 15-hour shifts.

“We try to make ends meet. Lina’s not picky. When I don’t have enough money, I feed her canned sardines and she is just as happy,” smiled Madam Heng.

“On her birthday, she gets to eat KFC or McDonald’s. She likes that and I buy her a little cake to celebrate. We do this only once a year. That’s all we can afford.”

Although Madam Heng did not make much, she made sure her daughter was well cared for. She hired a maid to watch over Lina when she went to work and trained the maid to care for her special needs child who, by her own admission, is not easy to manage.

“She throws temper tantrums when she can’t get her way and won’t take no for an answer. She hits people as well. The older she gets, the worse the tantrums have become. She also gets restless and refuses to sleep at night, choosing to pace the room or raid the refrigerator for food.”  

As a result, they have not been able to retain their maids for long. The constant change of maids has been difficult on Lina as well.

“She will chase the new maid out of her room, refuse to eat or become violent. At times, she will vent her frustration by throwing things out of her bedroom window. I had to put a net across the window because she refused to stop,” confided Madam Heng.

Still, she says Lina can be thoughtful.

“She may not be able to dress herself, bathe herself or go to the bathroom on her own, but she knows when she is loved and she can be sensitive to my needs,” Madam Heng said.

“When I come home from work exhausted or when I am sad, she can sense it and she will give me a hug. She won’t ask me for things like she usually does.”  

Mother and daughter are so close they need neither words nor sign language to communicate.

“I can sense what she wants. It’s a mother’s instinct. Sometimes, just a look is enough for me to understand her.”

Last Mile Help

Then a year ago, Madam Heng sustained a fall. She hurt her leg so badly she could not work. Without a regular income, she could not contribute to her Central Provident Fund (CPF). Without money in her CPF, she soon fell behind on the payment for her Housing Development Board (HDB) flat. She resorted to small loans from friends but it was still not enough. She faced the real risk of losing her home.

Through St Andrew’s Autism Centre’s Day Activity Centre (DAC) where Lina has been attending since 2012, Mediacorp Enable Fund (MEF) found out about Madam Heng’s plight. Aid from MEF helped Madam Heng tide through a very difficult period by financing Lina’s DAC fees, meals and transport for a one-year period.
 
“I am so grateful to MEF for their help. I don’t usually like to rely on others. I try not to ask my family to help us because Lina is my responsibility. I don’t expect others to take care of her,” said Madam Heng.

Lasting Care

Asked about her hopes for Lina, Madam Heng is sober, “I live one day at a time. I don’t ask for much, just that she grows up peacefully. I don’t expect her ever to be able to work or take care of herself independently.”

10 years ago, Madam Heng made plans for the day when she is no longer around to care for her only child.

“I told my niece to sell my flat and use the money to pay for Lina to stay at a home,” said Madam Heng. “Until then, I will care for her the best that I can.”

These days, things are looking up a little. Madam Heng’s friend recommended her to a coffee shop and she is working once more.

“Lina is not be able to tell you what she wants or when she is not comfortable. All she will do is cry. As a mother, it is my job to figure out how to make her feel better. But when she is happy, she will give me a kiss.”

An independent spirit who fiercely protects and loves her child, Madam Heng may not often ask for help, but she is always thankful when people come alongside her to ensure that her daughter is continually being trained and engaged. The rest, like the glimpses of affection Lina is able to show, is a bonus.

Arising from the family’s dire financial situation, Lina’s DAC programme fee had been deviated to $100 monthly for several years. Since January 2017, the fee has been paid by a private donor as Mdm Heng is unable to manage the cost of programme fee and bus transport. Further assistance has been extended for the programme fee till March 2019. Other short-term assistance was also arranged to defray the family’s daily living expenses. The family’s financial situation has not improved. Mdm Heng foresees she will have difficulty with managing the cost of DAC and transport after March 2019.

In addition, Mdm Heng has no savings and exhausted her CPF.

In Feb 2019, MEF granted $3,000 as a last mile need, to help meet Ms Lina’s DAC programme fee and meal expense, as well as the balance bus transport cost, all amounting to $257.50 per month so as to alleviate the financial strain on the family.

Like many children, Akram Ramadan Misrawi, 24, began playing badminton because it was something his family did.

“I started out since young because usually my family would, especially during the holidays, invite me out to play badminton for recreation, under the void deck,” recalled Akram.

It did not matter that he was born with skeletal dysplasia and that the condition affected the development of his limbs so he could neither walk nor grip things properly.

“I can’t really hold [the racket] the way normal players do for most of the shots, so I have to improvise in a way that suits my disability,” he said.

His family encouraged him anyway.

“They know how active I am, they know how I like badminton, so they asked me to try it.”

Big Dreams

Soon, fun family activity gave way to aspiration and Akram began dreaming of playing for Singapore.

“If you are competitive, you have scheduled training programmes,” he explained. “I like badminton so I want to increase my skills to more of a competitive level, instead of just hitting [the shuttlecock] around.”

In 2015, he began playing competitively. He was so good that two years later, he represented Singapore at the Asian Youth Para Games in Dubai.

Big Hurdle

But for this Nanyang Polytechnic graduate, there were limits to his aspirations. Beyond buying the usual sports equipment for badminton, he needed a special wheelchair.

“[The one I have] was more for basketball. The structure of the wheelchair is different which makes it not suitable for badminton”, Akram explained. 

“If you move fast and suddenly break, you might fall over because of the weight. There were numerous times where I fell over while playing, so that’s why I decided to get a new wheelchair.”

A sports wheelchair for badminton would cost upward of $5,000, amounting to even $7,000 for a good one. It was money his family did not have.

Big Help

This is the plight of many with disabilities. It is not the lack of ability nor ambition that stops them from living out their potential and fulfilling their dreams. It is the lack of finances and opportunities. At times like these, a helping hand can go a long way.

For Akram, that helping hand came from Mediacorp Enable Fund which sponsored a new wheelchair specifically designed for para-badminton players.

“It really helped to lift the burden off our shoulders and we didn’t have to worry about paying that amount of money,” said Akram, who is the second of three children.

“The new one is a bit lighter; you can move faster. Performance-wise I am able to focus more on the game.”

Now, Akram has plans to hit the big leagues and do Singapore proud.

“My goal with this new chair is to excel in my training and to one day participate in games such as Asean [Para] Games,” he said.

They were an unlikely team of trekkers. Some had cerebral palsy, others with autism, four were visually impaired and one needed crutches. All, however, were determined that no disability would prevent them from living life to the fullest. Empowering them to do just that was non-profit organisation YMCA Singapore.

“For the last 14 years, we have been organising Y Camp Challenge where we take people with special needs outdoors four times a year. This year, we decided to take it to another level,” said Steve Loh, General Secretary and CEO of YMCA Singapore.

Next Level Challenge

That new level was to climb Japan’s tallest peak, the nearly 4,000-metre high Mount Fuji, in August 2019. For able-bodied adventurers, that would have been an easy one-day expedition. For the 10 people with various disabilities, it would be a monumental two-day journey requiring the aid of volunteers, local guides and even a team doctor.

“We wanted something inspirational and aspirational, something that would uplift them and inspire them to reach beyond themselves,” said Mr Loh of their choice of destination.

To meet the challenge, the 24-member team trained together for three months, going for hikes regularly and even completing a vertical marathon that required them to race up 57 floors.

Added Mr Loh: “The training sessions were not purely physical. It was actually for the volunteers like us to figure out how we were going to keep up with them and the kind of help they needed.”

One of the participants, 46-year-old Chris Tan, has only five per cent of her vision left because of glaucoma which she developed in her teens.

“I definitely need a guide to be with me. My guide will be my eyes. She has to describe every single step to me, the rocks, the terrain to make sure I am able to manage the trail,” she explained.

Many also went the extra mile and trained on their own. Oh Siew May, 48, who has speech and movement difficulties because of cerebral palsy, took the stairs to get to her 25^th storey apartment four times a week every week for months.  

“I want to tell people that being disabled doesn’t mean we are unable. We can do everything that we want,” she said.

 Next Leap Partners

Given the magnitude of such projects, organisations often cannot work alone. That is where charity funds like Mediacorp Enable Fund (MEF) are able to come in. MEF was one of the sponsors of YMCA Mt Fuji Inclusive Expedition 2019, lending both financial support and resources to help fulfil aspirations.

Actress and Mediacorp’s Gold 905 DJ Denise Tan was one of the volunteers for the climb.

“I think a world in which we help each other achieve our dreams is a better place in which to live. If you can help just one person today with your gift, it’s still worth it. It’s life-changing and it goes both ways,” said Tan.

“I was paired with Chris. We ran together to build stamina, climbed stairs and did a few practice hikes up and down Bukit Timah Hill in preparation.

They are amazing individuals. They have this can-do spirit that puts us to shame and physically, they are very, very fit. They train longer and harder than any of us abled-bodied people.”

Next Climb on the Agenda

 That kind of grit certainly came in handy during the actual climb, especially when the weather was not in their favour. Heavy rains during their ascent made the rocky paths even more of a challenge.

“I did not lose motivation because in my mind I always keep telling myself how to reach to the top to get some ramen inside of me,” said Harun Rahamad who has cerebral palsy.

Bone cancer survivor James Wong, 28, shared: “In a group, everyone moves at a different pace. I couldn’t really run to catch up with the team. But I hope that the climb will raise awareness about people with disabilities, that we can do beyond what we imagine.”

In the end, the team made it to the eighth station, just a little shy of the summit of Mount Fuji. Still, it was a win. They were able to raise $200,000 for future outdoor activities for the special needs community and they proved that with gumption and good partners, few things are insurmountable.