Dear reader,
Greetings from MDAS – Muscular Dystrophy Association (Singapore)!
My name is Boon Keng, an ambassador of MDAS and I would like to share my journey in the fight against Muscular Dystrophy (MD).
I was diagnosed at the age of 8 with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy and it had progressively degenerated my muscles. Activities of daily living became a challenge and eventually I had to rely continuously on my mother and helper to take care of my well-being. Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy not only took away my ability to move and it also robbed me of my childhood dream of becoming a scientist. An incident at my science practical assessment in school made me realise how tough it would be for me to physically conduct lab work.
Despite my condition, I kept my hopes high and continued to strive and did well in my education. I entered NUS to pursue Social Work with my aim of becoming a social worker. At times, I doubt myself during my internship at a Family Service Centre, I struggled to keep up with the paperwork, simple filing tasks that would only take ten minutes for an abled person to do, took me an hour. I knew my colleagues were occupied themselves and thus only asking them for help when I certainly could not physically handle the work. I began to question myself whether my disability in particular is suitable for the job. Eventually, it was physically too draining and I settled with a deskbound IT position after graduating from the university.
This did not deter my desire to contribute meaningfully to the society. Seeing how much MDAS has grown over the last 20 years with impacts made to my life, gave me great courage to step up and become a board member of MDAS. It also gave me the opportunity to contribute to the association and the community in ways that I can; by helping those in need who are in similar condition as me, to emotionally guiding the younger members on what they are going through and play a bigger part in promoting the growth of the association.
My MD journey has not been easy, with many hurdles to overcome. In recent years even breathing has become a challenge for me and I have to rely on a BiPap to keep me breathing through the night. I can no longer use my hands the way I did before. It has taken a toll on me mentally and emotionally.
Nonetheless, I am thankful that MDAS is able to provide the care and emotional support, allowing other members and me to make each day count in so many ways.
MDAS truly believes that persons with severe physical conditions such as MD deserve a fair shot in life, despite challenges and to live a life with meaning and dignity. It is only through awareness and support that persons with MD can continue to be aided and break through the predicaments that restrict us. The association exhaust over $900,000 every year in order to provide highly subsidised services for our members.
I sincerely appeal for your support to MDAS and make a generous contribution to our E Flag Day 2021 – Go The Dystance with MDAS! We hope to raise $100,000 which will go towards running essential programmes and services for over 500 beneficiaries.
Thank you for taking the time to read my story. We look forward to your support!
Yours Sincerely,
Oh Boon Keng
A member of MDAS Ambassador Project
Board Member at MDAS