My thoughts, my views, my concerns: A love story that will go on and on

I was deeply moved when I read about the passing of a remarkable husband in The Man Who Discovered And Married Celine Dion (Life Section,The Straits Times, January 16. )

Celebrities are often discovered when just one person believes in another, and this was so true in the case of Rene Angelil who was so struck by Celine Dion’s voice that he took a gamble and mortgaged his house to finance the diva’s debut album – which eventually led to her successful musical career.

The couple has also proven beyond a shadow of doubt that age is just a number when it comes to relationship and that although Rene battled cancer for a long period, Celine stood by her man through thick and thin. Never raising the white flag at any point in time.

 

For couples deeply in love, they would want to spend their final moments in a loving environment. To this end, it was poignant reading of how Celine coaxed her hubby into asking him to talk to her about his life-threatening illness to which his reply was he would want to die in her arms. 

 

Most certainly, the doting couple has carried out their marriage vows in every sense of the word by caring and loving one another ‘in sickness and in health, for better or worse’, and we can all learn from Rene and Celine.   No doubt with this staunch commitment which the couple has clearly demonstrated, the admiration in our hearts for them, will go on and on.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Take safety measures; incorporate survival and crisis skills for all drivers: An open letter to The Home Affairs & Transport Ministers; and other Government leaders

Friday 29^th January 2016

 

 

Last week, a mother and daughter were killed in a car accident after their car plunged into a canal.

It is so sad that despite Mr Robin Poon’s wife and daughter both surviving life-threatening illnesses, both of them died in a most tragic manner, leaving him to go through enormous emotional pain ( “A stupid accident that shouldn’t have happened”) The New Paper on Tuesday , Jan 26).
 

Losing a loved one in a tragedy is painful enough, but it is even more devastating when two immediate relatives die at the same time in an accident that is mind boggling.
 

Even though he has two relatives who are was probably his whole world, Mr Robin Poon can be comforted to know that he has been a loving and dedicated husband to his wife and a doting father to his only daughter. 
 

Undoubtedly, grief will take a long time to heal, so we must all rally around and support those who struggle to find answers.

 

 

INTRODUCE SAFETY MEASURES  
 

Although this accident could be a remote one, it would be prudent to heed the advice of experts by installing bollards at areas where there are risks of drivers getting into accidents, as suggested by Mr Lee Swee Thin who was the former officer in charge of the Road Safety Branch of the Traffic Police in the late 80s’. 
 

Then, we should take the advice of commercial driving expert Edwin Yeo who believes that it if a driver is trapped inside a car underwater, the best course of action would be to remain calm and wait for the water to fill the car so that the pressure inside and outside the vehicle will make it easier to open the car door and make the escape.
 

Perhaps, it is time for the Traffic Police to make it compulsory for all driving instructors to include survival and crisis skills to all drivers, including  those  who transport passengers on public transport so that during any accident, lives can be saved or reclaimed. 

 

EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED

 

 

This accident could be a signal for worse things to come, so we must plan carefully, build the necessary infrastructure and provide the compulsory training so that our drivers are well equipped to handle any crisis.
 

Imagine a busload of school children or 100 or more passengers on board a public bus being thrown into a river or canal if such safety measures are not put in place.

 

 

A friend of mine told me that a bus load of children traveling on a bus in America some time ago, were all killed when the vehicle plunged into a sea.
 

SAFETY DEMOS

 

 

It is prudent to have foresights to plan for any crisis – no matter how remote it may be.
 

Whenever we travel out station – either on a plane or on cruise, live demonstrations by the crew and videos creatively produced guide passengers on what to do during a crisis.  It is most helpful. A similar programme could be used for our public transport systems.  I am sure the authorities would look at the cost involved, but I fervently believe that we should not tag everything to dollars and cents – especially when lives could be a stake.
 

The media has been doing a good job in raising awareness of mental health issues and other social problems; hence it must continue to support submissions and suggestions that will, in the long run, be beneficial to all our people. To make Singapore the best home to live in, the government has to make sure that this tiny little red dot is a safe haven for one and all.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

 

Letter to The Straits Times Forum Page: Teach all drivers survival skills

An edited version of my letter on the above subject appears in The Straits Times Forum Page today, Thursday 28^th January 2016.

Perhaps it is time to make it compulsory for all driving instructors to teach survival and crisis skills in driving lessons, so that fewer lives many be lost during an accident(“Experts’ advice on what to do if trapped in a car underwater;” Tuesday).

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Footnote:  This was my submission  that was edited:

 

Losing a loved one in a tragedy is painful enough, but it is even more devastating when two immediate relatives die at the same time in an accident that is mind boggling (“Relatives struggle to make sense of accident”; Tuesday).

Even though he has two relatives who are was probably his whole world, Mr Robin Poon can be comforted to know that he has been a loving and dedicated husband to his wife and a doting father to his only daughter. 

Even though my wife has passed away more than 18 months ago, I still find it hard to believe that she left me so suddenly.  Undoubtedly, grief will take a long time to heal, so we must all rally around and support those who struggle to find answers. 

 

 

Public Suggestion: Introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme to help those grappling with mental illness

It is a well know fact that family members trying to cope with a loved one struggling with any type of mental disorders will have to grapple with a whole range of powerful and often unpleasant emotions that leaves them mentally and physically exhausted.

Like schizophrenia, Obsessive compulsive disorders (OCD) is a difficult illness to manage and just like anxiety disorders, caregivers will have sleepless nights worrying about their charges.  There have been cases when OCD suffers cause serious health problems not just for their caregivers, but to the neighbours as well.  Then, because they feel unclean, they will waste water and wash themselves repeatedly causing the water bills to shoot sky high.

Besides anxiety disorders and OCD affecting our younger generation, depression and dementia hits the older folks and this is why it is imperative that a staunch support system be put in place.

For caregivers who are in this journey for the very first time, they will be lost in the woods; can become vulnerable into falling into depression and giving up on life or even abandoning their stricken ones.

Often, one of the best support comes from people who have walked in the shoes of caregivers. Since there is a Peer Specialist scheme already in place, why not introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme? These are people who have proven to be resilient in lending support and motivating family members caring for loved ones with mental illness. 

 

With clinical support from the psychiatrists, patient support from Peer Specialist and finally support from Caregiver Specialists for caregivers, the structural support for the mentally ill becomes wholesome and very holistic.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO 

 

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Unpublished letter to The Straits Times: Be mindful that health issues are sometimes beyond our control

 

Regular ST Forum Writer Jeffrey Law Lee Beng wrote to The Straits  Times (ST) Forum page today, Friday 22nd January 2016 highlighting that Singaporeans ought to take care of their health in order to keep medical expenditure down. 

 

I submitted my views on Law's letter, but the ST refused to publish it.  Clearly there is a lack of understanding on some illnesses and this must be corrected because it wrong to judge.  In this instance, the press fails to understand that in journalism different perspectives give readers a wider choice as well as for policy makers to relook at their policies that can benefit our seniors in the long run.

 

Here's my unpublished letter:

I agree that Singaporeans have to take care of their health so as not to overstretch healthcare expenditure (“Singaporeans can help rein in rising healthcare cost; Friday 22 Jan).   This has always been the stand of the Ministry of Health, which I support as well

However, as much as people want to stay healthy, there are instances when our health is compromised due to issues beyond our control.  Take for instance, mental illness where patients have to struggle with schizophrenia, depression or bipolar which is either genetic, lack of chemical imbalances in the brain or due to an increasing stressful environment which not everyone has the ability to cope with.

Next, ageing issues will take a toll on our elderly, be it poor vision or mobility problems. This is where Medishield Life can help to ease the burden of rapid healthcare costs to support our seniors who have contributed in the past to Singapore’s economic miracle. 

Poor vision or vision loss among the elderly is a major healthcare problem and many of our seniors will require cataract operations once they hit 60 and beyond.   The most common cause of vision loss among our elderly includes macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

A recent check with Tan Tock Seng Hospital revealed to my surprise that Medishield Life does not pay a single cent for cataract operations which cost $950 per eye.

To our seniors who have no steady monthly income and live all alone with no family support, $950 is a huge sum. Every month, with the cost of living skyrocketing, a senior in this group needs at least $400 a month for his/her meals and to pay the conservancy charges and PUB which are also going up.  So to these seniors even a medical bill of $400 is a burden.

Although Medishield Life has been implemented to help Singaporeans with their medical bills, there is still more to be done to provide better coverage for our seniors who have little savings, cannot afford to purchase outriders and have no income.

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Medishield Life ought to pay for eye operations to support seniors: An open report to the Singapore Government

21^st January 2016

At the fourth Healthcare Infrastructure Technology and Engineering conference, Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat spoke of the necessity for Singapore to do all it can to prevent rapid healthcare costs ( refer to The Straits Times report, ‘Prevent rapid rise in healthcare costs’; Wednesday. 

I am glad that the Ministry of Health (MOH) is fully aware that rising medical costs is a valid concern of our ageing population, and hopefully the assurance from the newly appointed Minister of State for Health Chee Hong Tat to ensure that healthcare remains affordable will give our seniors much more peace of mind.

Today, another report in the same newspaper highlights how Health Minster Gan Kim Yong wants to make healthcare affordable in the report “Keeping S’pore healthy and boosting standards”; Thursday.

Although Medishield Life has been implemented to help Singaporeans with their medical bills, there is still more to be done to provide better coverage for our seniors who have little savings, cannot afford to purchase outriders and have no income.

Poor vision or vision loss among the elderly is a major healthcare problem and many of our seniors will require cataract operations once they hit 60 and beyond.   The most common cause of vision loss among our elderly includes macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

A recent check with Tan Tock Seng Hospital revealed to my surprise that Medishield Life does not pay a single cent for cataract operations which cost $950 per eye.

To our seniors who have no steady monthly income and live all alone with no family support, $950 is a huge sum. Every month, with the cost of living skyrocketing, a senior in this group needs at least $400 a month for his/her meals and to pay the conservancy charges and PUB which are also going up.  So to these seniors even a medical bill of $400 is a burden.

How do you expect our elderly folks to enjoy a better quality of life, go for outings/ recreation when their vision is poor? What happens when they fall from the bus because of poor eyesight and then have to end up paying for expensive knee operations?

Our ministers and MPs will not be able to feel the pinch of rising medical costs because they are very well paid. But these politicians who were elected by the very people who now require support, must never lose touch of the ground.

In any event, what is the point of paying Medishield Life year in and year out, in the years ahead when our seniors who contributed much to Singapore’s economic growth cannot have any peace of mind when vision is so important to their well being in their twilight years?  More so when this group has little Medisave in their CPF accounts, which they will undoubtedly require for other ailments which is bound to come about due to old age. . 

To this end, I appeal to MOH to relook at the payouts for Medishield Life on eye operations for seniors commencing from the age of 60.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 http://singaporeseen.stomp.com.sg/v-day-love-story-2016/love-story-taking-care-of-my-late-wife-for-4-decades-taught-me-about

 

Raymond A Fernando's ;Letter to The Straits Times: Make an effort to cut food wastage

My letter to The Straits Times on the above matter is published today, Thursday 21^st January 2016.

I support the call by Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Masagos Zulkifli for us to take concrete steps to prevent food wastage (“Waste not, want not”; Jan 18).

Here in Singapore, most people are fortunate to be able to enjoy a meal every day, but this is not the case with many less fortunate people elsewhere.

The reality is that the amount of food waste produced worldwide is more than enough to feed nearly one billion hungry people.

I have observed that at hotels and restaurants here, there is a large portion of food that is wasted at buffets and other events. Perhaps this food could be given to the needy, as well as migrant workers.

We need to educate our children on the importance of preventing food wastage.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-on-the-web/make-an-effort-to-cut-food-wastage