Heard of our charity event called Play It Forward? It’s a giant charity ball pool travelling across the island! Play It Forward is actually a year-long initiative to raise funds for five Family Service Centres (FSCs), namely Care Corner Family Service Centre (Woodlands), Fei Yue Family Service Centre (Yew Tee), Punggol Family Service Centre, South Central Community Family Service Centre and TRANS Family Service Centre (Bedok).

Originally from Malaysia, Madam Vijaya came to Singapore during her early years where she had her son, Madan. She became a single mother not long after she arrived and had to juggle between shift work and the care of her son.

Madan was born with a rare genetic disorder called Pterygium syndrome, where a built-up of dense skin behind the knee restricted the movement of his legs and eliminated his ability to walk. This meant that he was always in a sitting position and could neither stand up nor walk unless he went through surgery.

Despite many doctors telling Madam Vijaya that her son would never be able to stand or walk, she did not give up and eventually put Madan through two operations to remove the parts of his legs attached to the webbed and infected skin.

After the surgery, Madan requires the use of a wheel-chair but undergoes regular physiotherapy to help him gain the ability to stand and walk on his own. He also needs a full-time caregiver to bring him to and from school, as well as to take care of his basic daily needs at home.

Before and after the operations, Madam Vijaya experienced difficulties caring for her son whilst juggling her work as a production operator. With a heavy heart and little-to-no options left, she approached Punggol FSC for help after being referred to by a friend. 

This was when she met Ms. Rani, social worker from Punggol Family Service Centre (FSC), under AMKFSC Community Services Ltd in 2013. Through casework services, Ms Rani advocated Madan's return to school. She also managed to get the family a domestic helper, making it possible for Madan to attend school while his mother was at work.

Even though Madan was unable to attend school for a while due to multiple surgeries and recurrent infections in his legs, his condition has now stabilised. To catch up on his studies, Ms. Rani introduced a volunteer tuition teacher for Madan, who is now getting ready to take PSLE in primary school and thoroughly enjoys learning, especially mathematics.

According to Madam Vijaya, Punggol FSC and their social workers were an important source of counsel and comfort for her which helped her get through an extremely difficult period in her life. To other families out there, she hopes that more families will not be afraid to seek support and help from FSCs like Punggol FSC.

Ms. Rani went on to explain that the main challenge FSCs face is time – where every case, like that of Madam Vijaya’s requires attention and time for the case workers to provide support, counsel and the right kind of help.  Because each case is unique and can turn out to be complex, the FSC tries their best to provide support where they deem fit and necessary.

With that, Madam Vijaya, with a smiling face, concluded that her one wish is for her son to be happy and to continue going to school to enjoy his studies.

Join us in giving support to families in need by Playing It Forward at Waterway Point from 14-20 March, simply donate $10 for 25 mins of free play in the ball pool and obstacle course! Find out more here.

Read Part 1 of the "Only as Good as Your Last Man" series for valuable insights of FSCs from Care Corner FSC (Woodlands).
 
*Information and quotes provided by Punggol Family Service Centre.