Model Caregiver Awards

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The Model Caregivers Awards are dedicated to the public recognition of an individual as well as a family who have actively demonstrated an outstanding commitment and dedication in caregiving and those who have made tremendous and meaningful impact in the lives of their care recipients.

For the last two years, these awards have not only allowed us to recognise and appreciate model caregivers but also have them inspire, motivate and serve as role models for other caregivers in the community. Overall, it is an opportunity to raise the level of awareness as to the importance of caregivers within our community. Last year, with your support we were able to complete over 20 media interviews across all languages and medium to showcase our 2008 Model Caregiver Awards nominees and winners. A clear message was sent that "CAREGIVERS ARE NOT ALONE".

This year, we have also received numerous nominations for the 2010 Model Caregiver Awards and the winners will be unveiled at the 1st Singapore National Caregivers Conference!



2010 INDIVIDUAL MODEL CAREGIVER AWARD WINNER
Name of Recipient: Mdm. Azima Bte Attan

Mdm Azima Bte Attan, a former policewoman aged 47 years old, is an exemplary caregiver who inspires others. She is dedicated in giving the best possible attention and care to both her loved ones in the family. As a family caregiver to two care recipients, she has to constantly switch roles between being a mother and a daughter in this challenging journey of caregiving. Her mother who is presently 80 years old, had her legs amputated 13 years ago due to acute diabetes. Being wheelchair-bound, her filial daughter devotes her time to assist her in daily activities such as changing her clothes, feeding her, as well as attending to her bathroom needs. Mdm Azima used to take long leave from work to look after her mother. But after her father, who had been sharing the caregiving responsibilities with her, passed away, she decided to quit her job from the Singapore Police Force to become a full-time family caregiver. As the years went by, Mdm Azima discovered that her son was suffering from brain tumour. Muhammad Aslan Bakri’s treatment for his brain tumour requires Mdm Azima to manage and juggle hospital appointments between him and her mother.

Mdm Azima continues to be strong during these tough times. Striving to be a good caregiver to her loved ones, she keeps the communication between family members open and will reach out for assistance whenever the need arises. Her open-mindedness combined with her positive outlook guides her in dividing and managing her time between her two care recipients, depending on the severity of their conditions. She also believes in maintaining a good quality of life for herself while she delivers whatever is needed in her caregiving journey. Whenever she needed the respite to attend to her own needs, she would seek help from her sisters and her older sons to relieve her in the caring for her mother.

Mdm Azima has also proven to be a resourceful mother. On seeing her son responding well to his treatment, she proactively seeks out opportunities and training courses for him to enhance his computer knowledge and to ensure that he continues to lead an enriching life.


2010 INDIVIDUAL MODEL CAREGIVER AWARD WINNER (MERIT)
Name of Recipient: Ms. Raney T. Thevar

After the demise of her parents six years ago, Ms Raney was left with the responsibility to care for her siblings. Working as an accounts clerk, Ms Raney is the sole breadwinner of the family. Although employed full-time, Ms Raney made arrangements with her employer and a bus contractor to accommodate both the demands from work and daily needs of her siblings. Ms Raney believes that her siblings deserve to experience a normal life much like everyone else. Even with a small income she is able to save enough to bring her family for vacations to Malaysia and Thailand. She is happy to see both her siblings enjoy these family trips. This year, she is planning for the three of them to go for a short holiday in Australia. Her level of involvement as a family caregiver combined with such a cheerful disposition is inspiring.

Mr Mohana, 43 years old, has Lissencephaly, a rare brain formation disorder and a form of cephalic disorder. Mohan relies on a wheelchair for his mobility and is dependent on Ms Raney in all his daily activities. He also has Epilepsy. Her other sibling, Ms Maliha, is intellectually-challenged, mute, deaf and partially blind in both eyes. Ms Raney’s  primary goal is to ensure her siblings are happy while leading meaningful and enriching lives, not wanting them to ‘just sit down and watch the TV whole day’. As such she does her very best to send both Mohan and Maliha to the Spastic Children’s Association of Singapore. Mohan is in Day Activity Centre (DAC) while Maliha is in Goodwill Rehabilitation and Occupational Workshop (GROW), a sheltered workshop. Owing to her resourcefulness, her siblings are making progressive improvements in areas of their speech and social interaction.

Incorporating elements of fun in the caregiving process is what makes Ms Raney's role as a family caregiver a unique one. On seeing the way she handles her own challenges and giving so much of her time, care and attention to enrich the lives of her siblings, she has become the source of hope for both Mohana and Maliki and the staff of SCAS. Her ‘never say die’ spirit has lifted the spirits of the trainers and wardens of the centre.


2010 FAMILY MODEL CAREGIVER AWARD WINNER
Names of Recipients: Mdm. Atikah Bte Hassan & her family
    Husband - Syed Ahmad Bin Mohsin Alhamid
    Daughter - Sharifah Aisyah bintee Ahmad Alhamid
    Son - Syed Muhsin bin Ahmad Alhamid

Mdm. Atikah and her husband, Mr Syed Ahmad Mohsin Alhamid, are caregivers to their four-year-old son Syed Amsyar Bin Ahmad Alhamid, who has Cerebral Palsy with Spastic Diplegia. Both are adept at sharing and managing their workloads and responsibilities, such that they are able to give their best to all their three children. The early intervention in Amsyar’s diagnosis and steps taken with guidance from the SCAS has proven to be helpful in managing his condition. Working closely with the SCAS, both parents are open to the various recommended therapy methods such as traditional Malay massage and Chinese acupuncture to help with Amsyar’s condition. Mdm Atikah who is the main caregiver, ensures that Amsyar’s follow-up exercises are being carried out daily. Both parents are very proactive in helping Amsyar better his condition. At their own initiative, they recorded and shared Amsyar’s videos featuring his movements and activities at home with his teachers and therapists. And thanks to their efforts, both parents can now monitor his progress and narrow down the target areas in which he needs the most help in.

It has not been an easy task for both parents to juggle and divide the attention and care among the three children. On seeing the importance to keep a well-balanced life and uphold the family togetherness, Mdm Atikah and Mr Syed Ahmad will often bring their family out for picnics, dinners and other outings. While strengthening the family bond, the family outings too have taught Amsyar to interact well socially. It has also created opportunities for his older siblings to learn to be open and understanding towards Amsyar. The family feels that through their son, they have become more aware of the challenges faced by the disabled and empathise with them. Understanding the importance of taking a break and upholding a quality life, Mr Syed Ahmad has adjusted his working hours to provide respite to his wife, especially on weekends. The couple shares a very loving relationship, which has strengthened their resolve to manage their caregiving responsibilities. Their willingness to share their experiences with others reflects a strong synergy within the family.

2010 FAMILY MODEL CAREGIVER AWARD WINNER (MERIT)
Names of Recipients: Mdm. Chaw Yat Gor & her family,
    Husband - Mr Loo Hua
    Daughter - Ms Loo Poh Khyan, Jenny
    Daughter - Ms Loo Poh Jie, Amy

Beneath the shy exterior, Mdm Chaw Yat Gor, alongside her family, exudes a quite strength in providing care to her 26-year-old son Mr Eric Loo Poh Liang who is suffering from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Madam Chaw has always been there for his son emotionally and physically helping him in his daily activities such as showering, feeding, as well as providing medical assistance.  Upon Eric’s early diagnosis at the age of nine, Mdm Chaw who was at that time employed, had to quit her work to become a full-time caregiver. Her husband, Mr Loo Hua and her daughters help out by providing constant emotional and financial support. It has been a long journey of caregiving for her and the family but the family remains united and dedicated in sharing the responsibilities involved in their caregiving.

It has been the family’s optimism that has enabled Eric to graduate from Temasek Polytechnic with a diploma and even to receive several freelance job offers. Last year, Eric was working in the hope to save some money for his future medical expenses when he discovered that he had to stop work to go for a critical surgery. He was devastated and had initially refused to go for the surgery. But with constant encouragement and love, his family managed to pull Eric out of depression and to consent to the surgery. During his hospitalisation, his family went out of their way to be by his side. Eric soon bounced back with confidence and now he and his family too have emerged stronger, more resilient and closer with one another.


In 2008, the Family Model Caregiver Award and the Mentor Model Caregiver Award were introduced in addition to the Individual Model Caregiver Award to showcase more committed and inspirational caregivers.

"Going the Extra Mile"
Mentor Model Caregiver Award Winner: Dr Premarani Kannusamy
Dr Premarani Kannusamy is a model caregiver's caregiver. As the nursing director at Institute of Mental Health's Nursing Administration Department and the founder of Thomson Neighborhood Nursing Group, she was nominated by three different people. All say she is someone truly exceptional for she goes the extra mile to help caregivers care for their care recipients when they are in need.
With her nursing knowledge and experiences, she manages to make a vital difference in the quality of life of Singaporeans stricken with various disabilities as well as their less experienced caregivers. Dr Premarani even took a depressed caregiver on a short trip just to de-stress her. She has also extended her help to a grieving caregiver by supporting her throughout her bereavement. Through her unselfish, instinctive help, Dr Premarani has earned not only the gratitude but also the friendship of many families in need. She has become their family mentor, adviser, confidante and unconditional supporter.
"Loving Her Back"
Individual Model Caregiver Award Winner: Mr Lim Chwee Guan
Mr Lim Chwee Guan has been visually handicapped since childhood and was nominated by the Singapore Association for the Visually Handicapped. Despite his disability, he single-handedly provides all the services his elderly mother needs from dressing her to feeding her everyday without fail. He also massages his mother to relieve her of her aches and pains, and attends to her needs round the clock. To maintain his mother's strength, he cooks black chicken with herbs for her and her only; he even gets up in the middle of the night to prepare something for her to eat. Mr Lim shared that when he was young his mother cared for him and loved him dearly, so now it is his turn to care for her. Mr Lim is indeed a shining example of a dedicated caregiver and loving son.

"Brotherly Love"
Model Caregiving Family Award Winners: Mr Kan Kau Tai & Mr Kan Beng Gau
Mr Kan Kau Tai and Mr Kan Beng Gau are two elderly brothers who are caring for their elderly sister who suffers from mental retardation with mental illness. They visit their sister regularly to provide care, administer her medication and clean her flat. The brothers have been very supportive by paying her household bills and attends to her needs without fail all these years after their parents passed away. They have also taken an active role in making sure that their sister will be taken care if anything should happen to them in the future. Their brotherly love

for their sister is truly admirable and shows us that you don't have to care alone when there is family member to share the care.
"Hope In a Time of Difficulty"
Individual Model Caregiver Award Winner (Merit):
Mr Quek Kim Tee
Mr Quek Kim Tee, who was nominated by AWWA, is a loving father and a dedicated caregiver to his two children with special needs. Despite surviving a brain tumour and facing endless challenges, he continued to care for his children. Like most people who have had a brain tumour surgically removed, he suffers many post-surgery after effects. This however has not prevented him from assuming responsibility for the total care of his two young children of whom one passed away in 2004. Mr Quek's sense of humour, positive attitude to life and his cheerful personality has helped his remaining child accept and cope with her disability. He has given his child not only unconditional love but also and most importantly, hope at a time of difficulty. His positive attitude towards life is definitely an inspiration to us all.

"The Sweetness of Friendship"
Family Model Caregiver Award (Merit): Ms Tay Gek Ling, Ms Tay Gek Moi, Ms Tay Gek Choo and Ms Tay Gek Hwa
Ms Tay Gek Ling, Ms Tay Gek Moi, Ms Tay Gek Choo and Ms Tay Gek Hwa are four sisters who cared for their friend diagnosed with cancer over more than two years until she passed away. In her friend's last days, Ms Tay Gek Ling managed to persuade her own family to allow her to bring her dying friend home. The sisters always wanted the last stage of their friend's life to be as

comfortable and as dignified as possible. After their friend died, the compassion to care for others and the spirit of caregiving remained so strong that these committed caregivers volunteered to render help to their late friend's 75-year-old elderly father, thus continuing their caregiving journey.



"An Unwavering Love"
Individual Model Caregiver Award Winner: Mr Raymond Anthony Fernando
Mr Raymond Anthony Fernando married his wife, Doris, 32 years ago, despite knowing that she has arthritis and schizophrenia. He later chose to give up his career in broadcasting to focus on taking care of her. A celebrated author himself, he has encouraged and inspired his wife to become a cookbook author. Mr Fernando has always advocated the 3Ps when looking after his wife patience, perseverance and prayer. He is now an active volunteer, who frequently gives talks in churches and other platforms to share his experiences as a caregiver. He also spends time counselling patients with schizophrenia and their families. Mr Fernando has been a great source of support and an excellent role model for caregivers, a deserving winner of the first Model Caregiver Award.



"Neighbourly Care"
Individual Model Caregiver Award (Merit): Mr Yip Tuck Chong
For the past five years, Mr Yip Tuck Chong has been more than just a neighbour to Mdm Chew who is wheelchair-bound. Mr Yip took on the role of a caregiver after he came to know about Mdm Chew's situation. Mr Yip's commitment and dedication is no less than that of a family member. Everyday, he will visit Mdm Chew to assist her in household chores and take care of her daily meals. He always puts her needs before his and has even forgone holiday trips to take care of Mdm Chew. Mr Yip's dedication and selflessness is remarkably inspiring.

"Sheer Determination"
Individual Model Caregiver Award (Merit): Mdm Koh Lee NahM
Mdm Koh Lee Nah is a mother of two children with special needs. Six years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer, Mdm Koh was devastated and was at the point of giving up. But she managed to overcome all her negative thoughts and devoted her efforts to taking care of her children and at the same time, coping with her own condition. She stayed positive and focused. At first Mdm Koh knew nothing about her children's condition and it was through sheer determination that she learned all she could about their condition to better care for them. With the correct treatment and Mdm Koh's support, both girls are now able to walk by themselves. She cited that patience and perseverance were the most important qualities that kept her going then and today, she is a lively person with a positive outlook.