Trusting in the power of prayer

I have been praying very hard to Jesus for several things, among these:

♦ That I could sell my last 15 copies of my second kindness book, “Empathy & kindness make a better world’ and out of the blue, a kind-hearted person wrote to me and gave me so much encouragement; and then purchased 5 copies of this book.

Now I have only 10 more books to sell and I hope other kind people will step forward to help me clear these last few copies.

♦ I am also passionate about writing to the press as I can create more awareness of social issues.  And again, Jesus did not fail me. Today my press letter on the ‘LTA’s yellow sticker initiative’ was published in The Straits Times.

♦ Thirdly, my severe backache that has forced me to get an injection and go on painkillers is healing.

♦ Fourthly, I need social connections and recreation so badly, as I am isolated and lonely, and through the power of prayer, 2 volunteers from the St Vincent De Paul at Christ the King Church visited me yesterday and will bring up to their committee next week to support my request for outings twice a year.

Praise the Lord for his compassion & kindness.

Sincerely,

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Raymond Anthony Fernando’s letter to The Straits Times: Yellow sticker is very useful, and not just to get a seat

 

While it is true that we need to be considerate and compassionate, I do not agree that the Land Transport Authority's (LTA) "yellow sticker" initiative is unnecessary (No need for sticker, just ask for a seat, Dec 19).

From what I have read in the media, asking people to give up their seats may end up in arguments and even fights because not everyone is kind.

The LTA has rightly pointed out in its bus display boards that some people may not show visible signs of mobility issues, and do not use walking sticks or wheelchairs,

I have osteoarthritis in both knees but have not come to the stage of using mobility aids.

I have found that the yellow sticker is very effective - people will give up their seats to me. Some will even help carry my bag when I walk up the stairs, while others will hold my hand to help me cross the road.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

https://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/yellow-sticker-is-very-useful-and-not-just-to-get-a-seat

 

 

I’d like to add this:

♦ Whether the yellow sticker is worn or not, I have noticed on several occasions that the foreign construction workers from India and Bangladesh will willingly offer their seats to the elderly even though they carry out back-breaking work and are dead tired. I have benefited from their kindness.

 

♦ LTA & MOT can offer this option:  As the yellow stickers are made of paper, it tends to fall off clothing.   

 

One idea can spring board to yet another idea, so I purchased a small badge, costing $1.20 and stuck the yellow sticker onto it, and it does not fall off anymore.

 

Several seniors, including a Malay elderly lady in a wheelchair have approached me about the yellow stickers on how I managed to keep it intact.  I shared with all of them how I went about it, for I believe in sharing.

Open Public Suggestion to the Singapore Government: Mental health issues: Are you game?

It’s only fitting as I write this proposal which also makes up for one chapter in my new book, to accord my deepest appreciation to Associate Professor Chua Hong Choon whose dynamic leadership has placed the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) on the world map. Together with his Corporate Communications team, I was privileged to participate in the recent IMH event, the Together Against Stigma (TAS) conference which was held at Marian Bay Sands Singapore on early October 2019.   

During our growing up years, my mother would often share words of wisdom to all her 6 children.  One such precious gem she shared was about dreams.  Mom told us that when we have a dream that occurs anytime from past midnight to 5am, it is likely to become a reality.

After my wife passed away, I have been having lots of dreams and one dream that came to me 3 weeks ago was about pursuing my passion to make this a better world by useful suggestions and doing more for mental health. That has inspired and motivated me to write my next book, “Pursuing dreams, transforming lives” and to come up with yet another idea on how we can help to de-stigmatise mental illness – in a big and more effective way.

Wheel of fortune  

Wheel of Fortune (often known simply as Wheel) is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin that debuted in 1975. The show features a competition in which contestants solve word puzzles to win cash and prizes determined by spinning a giant carnival wheel.

In the main game, contestants have three options: spin the wheel and call a consonant, buy a vowel for $250, or solve the puzzle. Each consonant is worth the cash value of the wedge the wheel lands on. Contestants can continue spinning the wheel until they miss a letter or spin a bankrupt or lose a turn.

NAMI on Jeopardy

Jeopardy! is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin.  The show features a quiz competition in which contestants are presented with general knowledge clues in the form of answers, and must phrase their responses in the form of questions. Cash and prizes are offered.

The National Alliance for Mental illness (NAMI) of America has come up with an innovative idea to help de-stigmatise mental illness through the popular game show, “Jeopardy.” 

We can always emulate success stories and experiment with bold ideas. Being the BEST, we can be.

National broadcaster can rise to the occasion

To this end, I propose that MediaCorp TV and radio introduce a similar show or quiz programmes on mental illness as an effective method to de-stigmatise the illness for this is yet another way of fostering awareness on these issues.

Possible sponsors can include the big hermetical companies

 

A committee comprising the media giant and IMH along with her partners such as the Health Promotion Board and the National Council of Social Services can be formed to study the feasibility of producing these meaningful programmes for possible implementation.

Talks on mental illness must be on-going and intensified

Generally, people, especially Asians are wary of associating themselves with mental illness as it carries a nagging stigma. When I produced my novel, Loving A Schizophrenic”, I sold 50 copies to all the libraries in NLB.  For a few months, the books were not available as many people borrowed the books.  I met 2 persons who candidly shared with me that they have family members who have schizophrenia.   My gut feeling is that most if not all who borrowed the books could have someone with mental illness or they themselves are struggling to cope with the illness.

Besides collaborating with IMH to give talks on schizophrenia, I also go all over Singapore, including government agencies that includes, the Central Provident Fund Board, the National Environment Agency, the Police – sharing my experience as a caregiver to my wife on this brain condition. 

The same scenario develops. 

The audience dared not ask questions, but emailed me later or talked to me privately on how to better cope with the illness as they were worried sick that those in the audience will suspect that they have loved ones with mental illness.

Thus, if the game shows are held, caregivers and patients alike grappling with mental health illness can watch or listen to the recommended shows in the privacy of their homes – without being unfairly labelled or stigmatised.

I would further recommend that youths and students or mental health advocates and mental health care workers take part in the TV show.

It is understood that this proposal will entail extra work, but if it can benefit thousands of patients, caregivers and society at large, is it not worthwhile investing in?

I appreciate a reply from MOH. Thank you,.

Sincerely,

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando