"I ALMOST GOT MYSELF A WHEELCHAIR": LYNN SOH, A TAEKWONDO BLACK BELT AT 77 - ST LUKE'S ...
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FY2021 Q2
MCI (P) 046/05/2021 • 01092021
“I ALMOST GOT MYSELF A WHEELCHAIR”:
LYNN SOH, A TAEKWoNDO BLACK BELT AT 77
St Luke’s Hospital celebrates its 25th Anniversary this year. Since 1996, we have
cared for patients holistically, helping them to not only become well but to also
become whole.
In the first of a series of three articles, we share with you of one of our Silver
Inspirations who has kept herself physically healthy. We invite you to join our
efforts in raising awareness on staying active and ageing well.
elieve
I don’t b up
in g iv in g
When your back hurts due to sciatica and the pain is so bad
you can barely walk, the most logical cure is to sign up for half-way
taekwondo classes, make it to a black belt in two years and
four months, and win the gold medal at a competition. It
makes sense if you are retired travel executive Lynn Soh.
It was never in her plan to dabble with taekwondo, much less become a
black belt master. Now 77, Lynn is not only free from back pain but she’s
also punching (and kicking) above her weight. However, she recalls that
fateful morning 12 years ago when she experienced a sudden sharp
pain while having breakfast.
The pain radiated through her body and paralysed her. Her family
Lynn Soh
rushed her to the hospital and she was referred to an orthopaedic sta
aspires to rted learning tae
surgeon. “My whole world fell apart,” Lynn said. “I almost got myself be a mast
er so she
kwondo
at 65. Sh
e
can teach
a wheelchair.” people h
er age.
Fortunately, she got better and started on physiotherapy. One day, when she was out shopping
in Bukit Timah, she chanced upon a class doing warm-ups in a taekwondo school. She thought “maybe this can
complement my physiotherapy”.
Lynn approached the studio but there were concerns about her health and age. After demonstrating that she could
balance and do the moves required, she was eventually enrolled. Lynn has never looked back since then, having
become a taekwondo practitioner with a gold medal under her belt. “I don’t believe in giving up half-way — then
you waste everyone’s time,” she said.
CELEBRATING SILVER
Get to know more of our Silver Inspirations at slh.org.sg/gosilver.
Five of them will also be featured in a virtual charity film which premieres on 15 October 2021.
More details about the event and how you can give at: bit.ly/beingsilver
VISION MISSION ST LUKE’S HOSPITAL slh.org.sg
Transforming A Christian healthcare 2 Bukit Batok Street 11, fb.com/slhsg
community care provider enriching lives in Singapore 659674 instagram.com/slhsgp
the communities
giving.sg/slh
GO SILVER
FOR CHARITY
If your hair turns silver one day, how would you react?
St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) started Singapore’s first Silver
Hair campaign “#GoSilverSG” to inspire positive ageing.
Through the use of a silver hair filter, users can picture
how they would look in their silver years. Beyond the
visual of silver hair, the campaign aims to encourage all
to embrace ageing, and to live a healthy lifestyle with a
positive mindset.
#GoSilverSG received much support from artistes
such as Joel Choo, Hanli Hoefer, Ming Bridges, and
influencers such as Mongchin Yeoh, Aimee Cheng-
Bradshaw, Jemimah Wei and more. Within the first
week of its launch on 1 August 2021, there were more
than 200 posts on Instagram and Facebook, in support
of the campaign.
#GoSilverSG also aims to raise funds for the hospital’s
patients. The campaign is ongoing till 30 September
2021. Visit bit.ly/gosilversg or our Instagram page
@SLHSGP for details on how to join the campaign. You
can also make a donation at bit.ly/giving-gs.
Artistes and influencers “turned their hair silver” to help raise funds for patients at SLH.
STAY HEALTHY
Exercises can be integrated into our daily lives.
1 2 3
Climb the stairs instead of Alight one MRT or bus stop Break up sedentary
taking the lift earlier or park your vehicle periods lasting longer
further away and walk the than 90 mins with 5-10
remaining distance to your mins of standing, moving
destination. around or doing some
physical activities.
MAKING NEW FRIENDS,
LEARNING NEW SKILLS
Once an active volunteer in his constituency, Rawi Bin Tuki, 63, was forced to greatly reduce his activities when his
health took a plunge. He underwent a stoma surgery and also started experiencing pain in his knees.
As someone who enjoys meeting new people, Rawi did not expect to still be able to do so during his inpatient stay
at St Luke’s Hospital (SLH) in April this year. He was one of the participants in the hospital’s “Kitchen Programme”,
which aims to encourage social interactions among seniors through various activities like games, learning about
nutrition, digital technology literacy as well as discovering new hobbies together. Due to COVID-19, the programme
was modified to replace some of the activities such as going out for a meal or cooking together.
“I got to interact with people much more senior
than me. Although I’ve met many people through
my community work, this is another group and
that’s totally different. It gives me something
new, as I hear their inputs and their backgrounds.
They have so much to share.”
Participants met in small groups of four, every
day over two weeks. “We come from different
walks of life but when we come together, we
understand each other,” Rawi said.
Nor Azilah Binte Pami, Senior Occupational
Therapist, said, “This programme helps patients Under the guida
nce of Nor Azila
Rawi Bin Tuki (le h Binte Pami, Se
nior Occupationa
know new people, engage in hands-on activities ft) and another
participant learn l Therapist (centr
e),
to make healthy
and attain new knowledge and skills. All these wraps.
will help to improve social interaction, their self-
confidence and mood as well as target physical
functions.”
Rawi was inspired by a fellow participant who was
a former baker in an airlines company. The patient,
We come from different although now in his 90s, showed great dexterity and
walks of life but when
we come together, we precision in making buns using clay in one of the
understand each other. activities. “I wish that at that age, I would still stay sharp
in what I do,” Rawi said.
Understanding nutritional labels was another skill that
Rawi picked up. After he was discharged home, he
applied what he learnt and chose healthier drinks at
the supermarket.
St Luke’s Hospital has conducted eight runs of the
Kitchen Programme since 2018. The programme was
launched by the National Council of Social Service and
adopted by SLH.
Rawi hopes to
recover and wa
lk independen
tly again.
CONSTANTLY IMPROVING
TO RAISE STANDARDS OF
PATIENT CARE
Su Anqi, Senior Nurse Educator, is constantly improving herself. During her nursing career of over 10 years,
she has completed an Advanced Diploma, a Master programme and is currently pursuing a PhD in Nursing
Education. Education can be said to be her passion, but behind lies the motivation of raising standards of
patient care. She relates easily to the hospital’s elderly patients as she cared for her grandparents when she
was growing up.
For her contributions in enhancing nursing care, Anqi won the Nurses’ Merit Award 2021. Started in 1976, the
Nurses’ Merit Award is presented to nurses who have displayed noteworthy and exceptional performance,
participated in professional development, and contributed to raising the nursing profession. Nurses are
nominated for the award by their healthcare institutions and selected by a panel set up by the Ministry of
Health (MOH).
Anqi said, “The difference nurses can make to patients constantly reminds me to give whenever I can.” She has
been instrumental in planning the staff development programme for over 200 nurses in the hospital. She also
facilitated more than 30 quality improvement projects in nursing care and work processes. Two of the projects
were selected for presentation at an international conference in 2019. For her efforts in training and mentoring
nurses, she also received the hospital’s Excellence Award (Educator) in 2020.
Drawing inspiration from a quote by Anton Chekhov who said “wisdom comes not from age, but from education
and learning”, Anqi believes that “education and training is the reservoir that provide opportunities for nurses
to gain wisdom beyond clinical skills”.
With a warm personality and compassionate heart, it is no surprise that Anqi’s contributions extend beyond
the hospital. When a COVID-19 cluster was formed at a nursing home and there was a call for healthcare
professionals to help, she was one of those who responded promptly.
Anqi has learnt much in her nursing journey in various roles and settings. She said, “General nursing skills can
be picked up, but mental resilience sees us through challenging times.”
The difference nurse
can make to patient s
constantly reminds me s
to give whenever I ca
n.
ation to
21 for her dedic
ed the Nu rse s’ Merit Award 20 award ce remony,
ucator, was award l
Senior Nurse Ed spital in the virtua
Su Anqi (right), rsi ng , rep res ents St Luke’s Ho
of Nu
ce Phua, Director ng with compas
sion.
patient care. Ali with her in servi
rat ula tin g An qi and standing
cong
DELIGHTING
OUR PATIENTS
Reutens Sean Irving was surprised to receive a gift
during his stay in St Luke’s Hospital. Knowing that
it was given by supporters of the hospital, he said,
“This helps to cheer us up and give us hope, it made
my day.”
As part of the hospital’s 25th Anniversary this year,
we garnered support from companies and individuals
to delight our patients with gifts over 25 days. The
first week of August marked the launch of “25 Days
of Delight”, with Sweetyet Development Pte Ltd
sponsoring 840 packets of milk for our patients.
Another patient, Tan Cheng Neo, was also
appreciative of the gift as she knew that the donors
“want us to be happy”.
We thank our generous donors for giving our
patients that extra cheer in their
recovery. Others who have joined us
in this meaningful giving include Haw
Par Corporation Limited, Freshening
Industries Pte Ltd and more.
Visit bit.ly/slhdelights to view more
photos of our patients with their This helps to cheer us up
treats. and give us hope, it made
my day.
WILLING TO HELP A GOOD CAUSE As a charity hospital, most of our
Please join us in our mission of enriching lives.
patients are lower income. They
may have cancer, pneumonia,
• Donate online (giving.sg/slh) dementia, stroke, fractures, and
• Donate by cheque, credit card (bit.ly/give_slh) may have undergone surgery and
• Donate by GIRO (bit.ly/slhgiro) amputations. Your giving, big or
• Donate CPF Savings by CPF Nomination small, can help them. To find out
(bit.ly/cpfnominationscheme) more, visit slh.org.sg/give or email
Full name of organisation: St Luke’s Hospital donor@stluke.org.sg
Company UEN: 199205095C DONATE ONLINE
Email address: donor@stluke.org.sg
• Pray for our work of Serving, Loving, Healing
• Pray for our patients, wish them good health
• Share patient stories on fb.com/slhsg as they overcome challenges
• Organise fundraisers during birthdays, anniversaries, Christmas
and other special occasions including sporting achievements
• Inspire your colleagues, be corporate volunteers
giving.sg/slh
“EVERYONE WAS SO INVOLVED”
Nur Aisyah Tan was flustered when she received news that her mother had a stroke. This was Mdm Kartina Binti
Iman’s second stroke and Aisyah was not able to be by her side. She had moved to Germany six years ago. She
immediately made arrangements to travel home but due to COVID-19, she would have to serve three weeks of
Stay-Home Notice (SHN) upon arrival.
“I know that it would hit her hard. For the past two Hari
Raya, our families couldn’t meet due to the pandemic. Everyone was so helpful
and accommodating.
Her first ever trip to visit me in Germany was cancelled.
She has not been able to go out much as well. On her
birthday, she told me, ‘I don’t know if I can live another
year,’” Aisyah shared.
After a period of stay in an acute hospital, Mdm Kartina, 62,
was transferred to St Luke’s Hospital for rehabilitation. The
hospital’s ward team got in touch with Aisyah, who was still
on SHN, to update her regularly on her mother’s condition.
“Being away for so long, I was not updated with the local
healthcare system and schemes. Everyone was so helpful
and accommodating in answering my questions and in
reassuring me.”
Yvonne Yeo, Medical Social Worker, provided Aisyah
information about resources available relating to insurance,
financial schemes and available subsidies. In addition, she
assisted Aisyah in the application for a foreign domestic
worker to be Mdm Kartina’s caregiver.
When Aisyah wanted to send flowers to her mum, the ward
n with minimal
nurses helped to ensure that her mum received them.Another nding on her ow
m Ka rti na Bin ti Iman tries sta Aisya h. Sh e continues to
Md an d
worry that Aisyah had was that Mdm Kartina would not ce fro m the physiotherapist Ho sp ita l.
assis tan at St Luke’s
participate much in the rehabilitation. However, the therapists nt rehabilitation
attend outpatie
befriended her mum and encouraged her continuously.
“When she did not want to do certain exercises due to the pain, the therapists kept reassuring her that things
would not stay like this and that she would get better. They never got frustrated with her,” Aisyah said. By then,
Aisyah had finished serving her SHN and could visit her mum.
They celebrated every small progress such as when she could twitch her toe. When Mdm Kartina met her
therapists, she would proudly “show off” her progress by demonstrating that she could kick.
“Everyone was so involved in my mum’s care to find the best way to help her and my family.” Aisyah said.
St Luke’s Hospital, named after the patron saint of the medical profession, was the first hospital in Singapore
dedicated to the elderly sick. We have expanded our services beyond the elderly to enrich more lives. An Institution
of a Public Character, we care for 2,000 inpatients and 3,000 outpatients each year, regardless of race, language or
religion. As illnesses may be long and chronic, the hospital cares holistically for patients’ physical, emotional and
psychosocial well-being.
Our services are available at inpatient, outpatient and home care.
To find out more, visit bit.ly/slhservices
- Inpatient referral - Home care
6895 3290, referral@stluke.org.sg 6895 3204, hcs@stluke.org.sg
- Day rehabilitation - St Luke’s Community Clinic
6895 3205, drc@stluke.org.sg 6895 3230, outpatientclinic@stluke.org.sg
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