The road is long, so what!

In 1984, I became a volunteer with MINDS. Back then, I just came out of army, got an 8 – 5 job, therefore I had plenty of spare time. I thought volunteering was just helping out during the weekends. It turned out to be more than I asked for. MINDS is an organization that serves the needs of intellectually disabled people. I was asked to initiate a project at Margaret Drive – serving the needs of intellectually disabled adults. (ID person for short). The name of the project was called Reach Out. It was formed so that adult IDs could come together and take part in social and recreational activities, just like normal adults enjoy. With the help of the social worker, I was given a list of names of ID persons. “You mean I have to go to every ID’s house?” The initial part was tough. A few volunteers and I took the list, and conducted home visits of IDs. When we knocked at the door of some IDs house, their families were not so keen to let us in. Most of them were protective of their ID children or siblings. One house visit made it special. It was Sunny’s home. Sunny was a Down Syndrome child. His parents were very supportive of the programme. The father told us that Sunny has nowhere to go after work and normally stay at home to watch TV. Joining such a programme would benefit him. Sunny likes to draw. He showed me some of his pictures. He has dreams. He drew himself getting married. But he told me that his parents said it was not possible. I remain silent and didn’t know what to say.

Setting Reach Out was tough, challenging and taxing. We had to plan programmes, work out the budget and source for facilities. Out of 30 home visits, finally 3 IDs decided to join us. During the planning stage, I really felt like giving up. I told myself, “What and why am I doing all these for?” Why don’t I spend my weekends hanging out with friends?” But a fellow volunteer persuaded me. “Don’t give up, Mike. Because if you give up, we’ll give up as well.” We decided to persevere. We were quite demoralized at only 3 but 3 were better than none. At least 3 families believe in us that it will work. From weeks to months, we gradually got more IDs joining us. Volunteers’ strength also increased. We managed to have a total of 30 IDs and volunteers. That day I learnt what it means to persevere.

A year passed. We decided to organize a singing contest among the IDs. We practised and rehearsed very hard. There was this ID. Her name is Lily. Lily was one of the better singers. So the volunteers focused their efforts on her. During the contest, we invited the IDs families, friends and volunteers. More than 100 guests turned up for the event. We were overwhelmed by the response. Lily had no problems during the rehearsals. We knew she was going to win. Then her turn came. She was dressed in very nice outfit with light makeup. The moment she went on stage, she looked at the audience and her face drew a blank. She was too overwhelmed by the environment. She has never seen so many people before. Then she started to cry. The volunteers thought. We better take her away so that she don’t feel embarrassed. But instead Lily started to sing. It was supposed to be a lively song “Can’t smile without you?” But she sang in tears. “You know I can’t smile without you.” As she sang, the audience joined her to clap along. She regained her confidence and completed the song. Lily got second that night. I was inspired by Lily’s courage to overcome her fears.

Another experience that still left a deep impression was the Special Olympics. 2 of our IDs, Tiong Hung and Koon Loo were participating in a telematch race. It was a race for the disabled. When the race started, Tiong Hung and Koon Loo were leading, then suddenly Tiong Hung tripped and fell. Koon Loo was the best runner so we pinned our hopes on him. But Koon Loo did not run forward. He turned back to help Tiong Hung. Together they completed the race. During that moment, I felt a lump in my throat. Although they did not win, we were very proud of them. I was touched by Koon Loo’s selfless conduct and sacrifice. I learnt why Special Olympics was extra special. To him, his friend is far more important than the medal.

A few years ago, I was invited by the School of Visually Impaired to conduct English lessons. Though I was apprehensive, I accepted the offer anyway. In the class, I had a conversation with this teenager. I asked him “What do you do during your free time?” He told me he liked going to movies. I curiously asked him “How?” He replied “We listened to the dialogue and paint images in our mind. The imagination, the thoughts and the visualization are constantly playing at the back of the mind. He’s able to feel the emotions and the story. He also told me about his goals and career - that he wanted to be the best masseur in town. In the world of darkness, his life was brighter than anyone.

Today, “Project Reach out” is 22 years old. I’m no longer a volunteer. I last heard they had 60 IDs and volunteers. I was supposed to make a difference in their lives. But instead I learnt valuable lessons that made a difference in my life. I witness deeds of courage, affection and sincerity. In a world of ordinary people, they were most extraordinary. To them, achieve a simple goal in life may be like walking a long and arduous road. But in their pursuit of goals, the journey in life is tough and to them, the road maybe long, but so what! They live like normal people.