Encourage writing of personal stories with platforms to market books

I am moved by the plight of 17-year-old Gareth Ho as he unfolds the struggles he faces with muscular dystrophy. (Telling stories of those with disabilities, to forge greater inclusiveness; The Straits Times September 8, 2017). In the report, it was mentioned, the teenager who moves around in a motorised wheelchair due to his muscular dystrophy condition has faced humiliation with unkind action and words. 

Once a teenager spat on Gareth’s hand and wiped it on Gareth’s arm at the Sengkang LRT station. Gareth said he was shocked and angry for being humiliated in this manner.  Occasionally, the young lad has to explain his condition to strangers when they tell Gareth that at his young age, he ought to be walking about instead of being in a wheelchair.

It is abundantly clear that these strangers are obviously ignorant of muscular dystrophy.

What is muscular dystrophy? 

Muscular dystrophy is a group of diseases that cause progressive weakness and loss of muscle mass. In muscular dystrophy, abnormal genes (mutations) interfere with the production of proteins needed to form healthy muscle.  Some people who have muscular dystrophy will eventually lose the ability to walk. Some may have trouble breathing or swallowing. There is no cure for muscular dystrophy, but medications and therapy can help manage symptoms and slow the course of the disease.

Due to lack of understanding, often people with disabilities are judged, underestimated and looked down upon.  Even though we are an affluent and well-educated society, how many people are willing to accept persons with conditions such as autism, mental illness, muscular dystrophy and down syndrome which they do not choose to have?  Often the hurtful comments and actions directed at this group cuts like a knife immediately, but the wounds inflicted can last for years to come. 

One way to beat discrimination and show a unified respect for persons with disabilities is to encourage persons with such special needs to share their personal stories – through the media or through novels. 

Through such platforms, much awareness and action can be created in which persons with disabilities will be able to lead normal lives and be seen for the people they are, rather than a focus on their disabilities.

It is not easy to market books written by budding authors, but if there are platforms for them to promote their works, we can have many success stories.

I am encouraged that the newly designed hawker centre in Pasir Ris central centre managed by NTUC Foodfare will have events like art markets and craft fairs (New hawker centre to serve creative meals; September 7, 2017, The Strait Times).   One way to support our authors with disabilities is for this upbeat hawker centre to provide rented stalls priced at $10 for them to sell their books.

I am confident that through this avenue, these authors can chart a writing career for themselves and be able to be self-sufficient where they can live independently. Those are interested can buy the books and help lift the human spirit. Let us bear in mind that although there many people with disabilities, they also possess abilities.   Moreover, mingling with the diners will provide the much-needed social cohesion for those with special needs in which a new view of how we can respect our differences — and celebrate our similarities.

For when we can produce positive energy, we will be able to bring sunshine into lives of those with special needs –thereby earning the reputation of becoming a truly gracious society. 

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

Raymond’s article on All Singapore Stuff: Train grassroots leaders to become SOS volunteers

 The number of people grappling with stress, depression and other mental health issues is rising – at an unhealthy trend.  Severely stressed-out people who have no avenue to turn to or someone to listen to their problems and help them out will give up on life.  Those who are lonely and isolated, as in the case of many of our lonely seniors who feel unloved, will also commit suicide.  It has happened and we just cannot sweep this social problem under the carpet.

 

It was reported in The New Paper on 9^th September 2017 that each day 15 people in Singapore try to kill themselves with one troubled person succeeding in ending his/her life.  

 

The Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) have been doing good work in comforting distressed people, but they are facing big problems in securing volunteers as many of those who volunteer have full time jobs.  Out of the 173 SOS volunteers, only 59.8 percent could fully commit to the hours required of them and those duties stretched overnight.

 

Most of the calls to SOS seeking help are between midnight and 2am – the period when there are lesser SOS volunteers.  Yet, this is a time when people who are deeply troubled and contemplating suicide need a listening year.  

 

To help SOS carry out their unenviable tasks of consoling, saving and reclaiming lives, I propose that our grassroots leaders step forward and become SOS volunteers. Some of our grassroots have received training in basic mental health by the professionals at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH). Equipped with this knowledge they can be useful to SOS.   More of these grassroots leaders can receive mental health training by IMH and increase the manpower shortage at SOS.   

 

With training by SOS, many of these grassroots leaders can help save and reclaim lives. Moreover, as they work closely with our policy makers–Members of Parliament and Ministers, the grassroots leaders can be well positioned to give constructive and genuine feedback to the policy makers. 

 

Grassroots leaders are the eyes and ears of the government – but more importantly they must serve the community and help residents who are going through challenges as they are in touch with the ground.

 

In addition, talks by recovered patients, psychiatrists and resilient caregivers whereby a holistic approach on mental health is taken, ought to be held at community clubs island-wide. When residents are moved by such sharing experiences, you might just be able to secure SOS volunteers from the audience.  If not, with the knowledge gained though such talks, they, as neighbours, can help anyone who is going through mental health issues. 

 

It will take a village to help and support those struggling with mental health issues, but if we don’t try to reach out to them, then we will not become an inclusive society. 

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/train-grassroots-leaders-become-sos-volunteers

Raymond A Fernando's letter to The Sunday Times: Reward couples for every decade of marriage

My press letter to The Straits Times is published today, Sunday 10^th September 2017.

 

It is a good effort on the part of the Registry of Marriages (ROM) to accord recognition to couples who have stayed committed to each other for 50 years, and to present them with a commemorative marriage certificate (Renew vows to mark 50 years of marriage; Sept 3).

Undoubtedly, couples who take responsibility to work hard and make the partnership grow and blossom will stay together.

In embarking on the marriage journey, both husband and wife must be aware that it may not be smooth sailing, and there may be some bumps on the way.

Let us remember that great partnerships are not born, but have to be developed through the years.

So, why recognise only couples who have remained married for 50 years? Why not consider rewarding couples at different periods in their marriage journey?

For example, for every 10 years of marriage, couples can be accorded some form of recognition. Some rewards can be in the form of shopping or dining vouchers, or holiday packages, with better rewards the longer the marriage lasts.

I am confident that sponsors will willingly step forward to support this cause.

Raymond Anthony Fernando

 

http://www.straitstimes.com/forum/letters-in-print/reward-couples-for-every-decade-of-marriage

 

 

 

 

An open appeal to MOH, MSF, NCSS & IMH: Value and give job opportunities for resilient caregivers who have a wealth of knowledge in managing persons with mental illness

The number of people grappling with mental health issues is growing by leaps and bounds. If anyone becomes a caregiver to a loved one with mental illness for the very first time, he/she will be ‘groping in the dark’ as it is no easy task trying to tackle any type of mental illness – be it depression, schizophrenia, bipolar or anxiety disorders.

A novice caregiver has to quickly learn as much as he/she can otherwise they will so easily raise the white flag. In managing someone with mental illness, the caregiver will have to exercise extreme patience, deep understanding with lots of empathy and compassion.  In this day and age when life has become so stressful, providing structural support for both the mentally ill persons and their caregivers has to be put in place.

A good way to help the mentally ill person come to terms with his/her condition and help him/her in their recovery is for experience and resilient patients or caregivers to walk with them along their journey.  This is why I proposed that Singapore starts a Peer Specialist scheme which has proven to be successful in America. Details of my proposal which was put up way back in 2012 is reproduced here on my blog. It was routed to the Singapore government and mental health providers.

Peer specialists needed to help caregivers of the mentally ill (Published on Saturday, July 28, 2012)

http://rayhope8.blogspot.sg/2012/07/peer-specialists-needed-to-help.html

Both the Singapore Association for Mental Illness (SAMH) and the Institute of Mental Illness (IMH) saw value in my proposal and employed Peer Specialists in their respective organisations. Later, the Caregiver Alliance Limited (CAL) and CLUB HEAL also employed Peer Specialists.

Then 4 years later, I proposed we build on that Peer Specialist scheme and introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme. Details are given here on my blog:

Public Suggestion: Introduce a Caregiver Specialist scheme to help those grappling with mental illness (Published on Saturday, January 23, 2016)

http://rayhope8.blogspot.sg/2016/01/public-suggestion-introduce-caregiver.html

Resilient caregivers who have been instrumental in helping their loved ones or any other person cope with mental health issues ought to be accorded due recognition by way of job opportunities.   

I am a very vocal person and very open about mental illness – and do not feel awkward of speaking candidly of how I helped my late wife  Doris manage her schizophrenia for 40 years.  Through my undying love for my wife, I managed to help her become an author of eight successful books. That is a pretty big achievement, seeing that Doris also had to grapple with advanced arthritis that left her mobility severely impaired.  

I went on national TV and radio 20 times – 10 on TV, 10 on radio and it helped raise so much awareness of mental health issues and the struggles we face in a society that is yet to be acceptable to the mentally ill. Sadly, it is not just the mentally ill who are discriminated against, but their caregivers too.

But I will not be discouraged in anyway. I will continue to soldier on and help save lives. Through my counselling, often 24/7, and support for the mentally ill and their caregivers, I have saved lives, 3 of whom were at first suicidal. All 3 are now coping well.

During my career in broadcasting, I had to balance work and family life, but the demands in caregiving with lack of structural support drove me to suicide. But God saved me as He, I believe, has a mission for me. 

I was able to recover through the wonderful support of my psychiatrist at IMH – the late Dr Ang Ah Ling who was also my wife’s doctor. In the course of my treatment, I asked Dr Ang why there is so much discrimination and favouritism, and he told me quite rightly that discrimination and favouritism is everywhere and I had to accept that.   Impressed by my writing skills, Dr Ang encouraged to write books. This kind doctor paved the way for me to start a writing career, and today I have 30 books to my name.   

I intend to go abroad to the Philippines in due course to visit an orphanage and teach English to the children there as well as educate the people there on mental illness. The organisers in a province are delighted!  My advocacy work is not just limited to Singapore, but abroad as well.

It now leads me to the Straits Times article that was published on Saturday, September 9, 2017 – “Helping those with mental health issues find work.”

In the article, the National Council of Service (NCSS), the Workforce Singapore and social service organisations will be introducing an apprenticeship scheme to help people with mental illness find work. This training scheme conducted by trainers from the US is only for Peer Specialists.  Why?

To be frank, I am deeply disappointed with the way things are going. On more than two occasions, I had applied for the position of Peer Specialist with NCSS and IMH. I may be 67 years old, but I had extensive experience in helping the mentally ill recover, I inspire caregivers and the general public through my motivational talks on mental illness at IMH, Silver Ribbon Singapore, at polytechnics and at times at SAMH.

When I applied for the Peer Specialist position, it was rejected and I am given the standard civil service reply: No vacancies.

Yet the very position of Peer Specialist that I proposed has enabled the recovered patients find jobs and now an opportunity to go for training through this apprentice scheme.  It is not right to ‘cheery pick’ people that the organisations favours – one way or the other.

The government recognises now that you do not need a degree to get a job or move up the corporate ladder. They also are keen to find jobs for the elderly so that they can be self-reliant. 

I hope NCSS and her partners will adopt fair HR practices and give equal opportunity for seniors like me to secure a peer specialist position so that I can continue to save and reclaim lives.  My contributions, whether through press letters, counselling people on my own time, useful suggestions to the government and public speaking should be valued at all times.  

 

Raymond Anthony Fernando

Article on All Singapore Stuff: More unprofessional contractors giving lift breakdowns & poor workmanships; MPS must acts against them

There have several reports in the media of poor workmanship by contractors in which the lives of people are put at risks or are placed to much inconvenience – one of which is the frequent complaints of lift breakdowns in three precincts in Punggol West.   This had prompted Member of Parliament Sun Xueling to ask the HDB to act decisively against the contractor – “Lift woes for Punggol West residents: MP urges 'tougher action' against contractor Sigma”; Channel NewsAsia, 1st September 2017”.

Just as the MP is unhappy with such contractors, so are our residents who have to put up with poor and unprofessional work by contractors.

 

The Home Improvement Programme (HIP) undertaken by the government is a good effort to provide the much-needed assistance to residents – in particular the elderly who are prone to falling down.

However, in carrying out the HIP, work has to be undertaken professionally with proper supervision by the town council and the Housing and Development Board (HDB) so that the residents live in a safe environment.  Members of Parliament (MPs) and Mayors have to take a vested interest in the well-being of their residents.  To this end, I applaud MP Sun Xueling who had the courage and conviction to urge tough action against the lift contractor Sigma as she was concerned about the welfare of her residents.  This makes for a good MP.

 

With the government’s on-going effort to provide more support for our seniors, MPs must act swiftly and decisively when things are not run smoothly in their respectively constituencies.

My MP for my estate where I live in Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 is Dr Koh Poh Koon who is also Minister of State in MND and my Mayor is Ms Denise Phua.

Although there are targets to be met, there must be no rush jobs in carrying out upgrading works or the safety of residents will be compromised – as with my own experience. 

Allow me to elaborate.

The HIP which was carried in my estate last year has resulted in very poor workmanship in my kitchen toilet whereby every day I have to scrub and remove all the sand that is coming out of the bottom part of my toilet commode.  

Left unchecked, the sand will eventually clog up my toilet drainage.   With sand seeping out every day what would happen one day if the toilet commode were to give way? Surely, the whole purpose of the HIP is to provide a safe environment for residents.

The government has advised people to save water as it is precious, but how can I do it when washing my toilet has become a daily affair given the poor workmanship; and then have to pay bigger water bills.   

When the HDB and town council staff inspected by flat with the contractor to check on the finished work, I pointed out these flaws to them, but I was assured that it was in good order and that it was okay and that there will be no problems. Excuse me, it is not okay!

All parties concerned – the HDB, town council and the contractor must bear liability and take responsibility to rectify any sloppy workmanship.

Constructive feedback must be taken seriously so I trust that after this article is published, concreate action will be taken to put things right so that residents like myself who is trying to cope with several health issues that includes weak visibility due to cataract problems and eczema can live in safe environment.  More so when I have been actively contributing ideas and suggestions to improve the lives of all our citizens.

One of these suggestions which I first mooted 10 years ago during my career in broadcasting through the Staff Suggestion Scheme and separately as a proposal to the then-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was for the HDB to build child care centres back-to- back with nursing homes. My reasoning was to bond two groups of lonely people  together for more fulfilling journeys; and I am glad to see my idea bear fruit as I read the report in the Straits Times on Saturday, September 2, 2017 ,“Children bring smiles to elderly faces”   

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

https://www.allsingaporestuff.com/article/more-unprofessional-contractors-giving-lift-problems-poor-workmanship-mps-must-act-against

 

Develop learning app for seniors to benefit from cashless travel: An open proposal to the Singapore Government

With the government’s drive to go cashless on our public transport system by 2020, there will be the need to guide and coach one group of Singaporeans who may not be so tech-savvy: The elderly. 

I am sure many of these seniors will be concerned as to how they are going to adapt to the changes.

One way to get seniors to embrace cashless top-ups for their EZ link cards is for an apps tutorial to be developed in which simple step-by step instructions can guide the user to top-up his/her card when it is due for renewal. 

This apps which has to be user-friendly can be introduced at two levels – At the community clubs and our schools.  For the students who master the use of this apps tutorial, they can in turn impart their knowledge to their parents, grandparents, and even their neighbours.

Grassroots leaders who work the ground closely with closely with Members of Parliament can learn the technique of this apps tutorial and transfer the knowledge gained to the elderly in their respective neighborhoods.

This new initiative has benefits: It not only helps seniors on a fresh learning journey, but it is also a good move to strengthen bonds within families, as well as promote good neighbourliness.

Most of our seniors are out of work so every cent counts. By imposing a convenience fee for the cashless way, seniors will be discouraged from adopting this mode of payment.  That said, I propose we waive this fee for seniors 60 years and above, and even those with special needs.

While the government can initiate cashless schemes, big companies such as banks and telcos must also play their part as corporate citizens to spear-head this new development. They can do this by encouraging their staff to partner volunteers to educate the public on this cashless drive.

With a coordinated effort, these public transport ambassadors can be stationed at MRT stations/bus interchanges at fixed times by year end to start coaching the elderly on how they can go about topping up their EZ link cards the cashless way and meet the vision of being a smart nation, perhaps, well ahead of the given time frame.

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO

 

 

 

 

Anger management talks/forums and courses can help reduce rebellious and violent behaviour : Proposal to The Singapore Government

“Often when people experience or appear to show anger, it’s because they are also feeling fear or perceive a threat, and they are responding with a 'fight' response to this."

- Dr James Woollard, a consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist -

I have been reading reports of many people who include motorists, foreigners and our locals who have lack patience and used their pent-up frustrations to hurl vulgarities and physically abuse another person. 

 

The recent cases of aggression include the Swiss national and former commodities trader Yannick Alexandre Varidel, 28, who was sentenced to four weeks jail after he pleaded guilty punching a taxi driver. Then there was the 57-year-old-man who was arrested after he was alleged to “forcefully grabbed" the arm of the one of National Environment Agency (NEA) officers spotted him smoking in a non-smoking covered walkway in Woodlands

 

Accidents on our busy roads are becoming an almost daily affair.  Impatient drivers who do not practice proper time management on the roads will turn aggressive and hit out at fellow motorists when they lose patience. I recall one incident where an elderly Catholic priest was assaulted in the night when an impatient young driver took matters into his own hands. The man was convicted.

 

Rebellious behaviour can also spill over to our school children and our youngsters when there is poor or little parental supervision.

 

But despite the stresses that comes with a fast-changing world that can cause people to lose their cool due to poor anger management, we can always turn a negative situation into a positive one where a learning journey helps us to improve our lives.

Uncontrolled anger left unchecked can heighten to aggression and violence within the family and in the community.  When people get angry, their heart begins to distance a fair bit.  To cover that distance, they must shout at another person so that they can be ‘heard.’

 

On the other hand, well-managed anger can motivate impatient and angry people to make positive changes in their lives. 

 

With Singapore’s population expected to grow in the years ahead to meet the needs of a fast ageing population, for sure we would have to share spaces and services at food centres, at hospitals, polyclinics, on the roads, in supermarkets, – the list goes on.  That said, it is gives us more reason to exercise patience and being accommodating – otherwise we will end up picking quarrels with one another – for anything and everything. 

 

The key to managing anger is Patience.

 

Patience is the ability to tolerate waiting, delay, or frustration without becoming agitated or upset. It's the ability to be able to control our emotions or impulses and proceed calmly when faced with difficulties. Needless to say, patience does not come easily for most of us and it's probably harder now to be patient as the pace of life is going at break-neck speed.

 

To this end, we need to take proactive measures to equip us with proper anger management. Here’s where the learning curve begins.

 

We need to control anger before anger controls us. Even though anger is a normal and healthy emotion which all us as human experience from time to time, it can be destructive if it is poorly managed.

 

One way to control our anger is to count 10 seconds when you feel deeply annoyed and frustrated. That will at least help you calm down so that you are in a better position to think clearly. When one is angry all the thoughts become muddled up.

 

Then breathe in slowly and try to relax when you breathe out. Experts are of the view that “You automatically breathe in more than out when you’re feeling angry, and the trick is to breathe out more than in."

 

We need to exercise regularly so that our immune system does not weaken.  When our immune system weakens, we can be prone to being inflicted with all kinds of sickness, and that includes depression.  When one falls ill, he/she can become impatient and frustrated and they can take it out on the next person. Our nurses and health care professionals have been victims of verbal and physical abuse.   

 

Everyone one living here and they must include foreigners and our locals need to have a clear understanding of managing anger. For our foreign workers who include maids and nurses who serve the untiring tasks of taking care of the elderly, it is crucial that they are taught to recognise the anger signs and how to manage it in their charges.

 

Talks at public forums and dialogue sessions with the professionals can be held at the community centres, at the workplace, in religious centres and in schools and tertiary institutions.  Guest speakers can include ordinary Singaporeans who have overcome adversities in life and have found Patience to be an asset that have carried them through their life journey.

 

Useful tips on manging anger can also be disseminated through newsletters and brochures.

 

 

RAYMOND ANTHONY FERNANDO