Justin Lee
For The Straits Times
June 10 2016
There is no need to whitewash someone's disability to show them respect
We no longer have cripples, the mentally retarded or old people in Singapore. It is not because we found some scientific solution or elixir of youth, but that the preferred terms have become "the physically disabled", "intellectually challenged" and "senior citizens", respectively.
Our polite intentions have resulted in name changes for voluntary welfare organisations that serve people with disabilities - the Singapore Association for Retarded Children became the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore (Minds); the Spastic Children's Association of Singapore became Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore (CPAS); and the Society for Aid to the Paralysed became The Society for the Physically Disabled, which more recently became simply "SPD" because they now serve people with other, and not just physical, disabilities.
These politically correct terms and phrases were developed to avoid the stigmatisation and discrimination of people with disabilities. But we now have a situation of what Harvard University linguist Steven Pinker calls the "euphemism treadmill" - where words originally intended to be politically correct take on the negative connotations of the original words and new terms have to be invented to be less offensive.
Showing posts with label Disabled. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Disabled. Show all posts
Sunday, June 12, 2016
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Bridging CPF gaps: NUS don raises idea of payouts, but notes risks
By TOH EE MING
January 13
SINGAPORE — A National University of Singapore (NUS) economist has raised for discussion the idea of payments of S$450 to S$600 a month for the low-income elderly, citing concerns that the existing Central Provident Fund (CPF) system may be inadequate for vulnerable groups who were unable to save enough during their working years.
However, she also cautioned that such a scheme could also risk unintended consequences, such as disincentives to save, work and creating a crutch mentality. Associate Professor Chia Ngee Choon, who researches retirement issues and sat on the National Longevity Insurance Committee, was speaking at a symposium on social security at NUS yesterday.
Sharing several ideas for bridging the gaps in the CPF system — which were also published in a paper in the Singapore Economic Review last year — Assoc Prof Chia noted how CPF has worked well for the majority of Singaporeans who “work consistently” and have “made prudent housing choices”. But while the system has been lauded for its fiscal sustainability, “it doesn’t address the retirement adequacy for vulnerable groups”, she said.
For instance, as CPF is based on contributions, it might fail to address whether the needy, including low-wage and casual workers, those unable to work due to poor health, stay-at-home mothers, and the single elderly with no family support can save enough for retirement, she explained.
January 13
SINGAPORE — A National University of Singapore (NUS) economist has raised for discussion the idea of payments of S$450 to S$600 a month for the low-income elderly, citing concerns that the existing Central Provident Fund (CPF) system may be inadequate for vulnerable groups who were unable to save enough during their working years.
However, she also cautioned that such a scheme could also risk unintended consequences, such as disincentives to save, work and creating a crutch mentality. Associate Professor Chia Ngee Choon, who researches retirement issues and sat on the National Longevity Insurance Committee, was speaking at a symposium on social security at NUS yesterday.
Sharing several ideas for bridging the gaps in the CPF system — which were also published in a paper in the Singapore Economic Review last year — Assoc Prof Chia noted how CPF has worked well for the majority of Singaporeans who “work consistently” and have “made prudent housing choices”. But while the system has been lauded for its fiscal sustainability, “it doesn’t address the retirement adequacy for vulnerable groups”, she said.
For instance, as CPF is based on contributions, it might fail to address whether the needy, including low-wage and casual workers, those unable to work due to poor health, stay-at-home mothers, and the single elderly with no family support can save enough for retirement, she explained.
Tuesday, January 5, 2016
‘Elder care is the new child care,’ professor says
ELIZABETH CHURCH
The Globe and Mail Jan. 03, 2016
When Dawn Sinclair’s workweek ends, her other work begins.
Every second Friday, she battles traffic to make the 40-minute trip to her parents’ home east of Toronto where she’ll spend the weekend caring for her mom, 85, left partially paralyzed by a stroke, and giving her 83-year-old dad a much-needed break.
“I’m it,” says Ms. Sinclair, her parents’ only child and herself the single mother of a now-grown daughter. “Sometimes it almost feels like I am in survival mode. I just keep going. There is a lot of guilt because no matter how much you do, it is never enough.”
The Globe and Mail Jan. 03, 2016
When Dawn Sinclair’s workweek ends, her other work begins.
Every second Friday, she battles traffic to make the 40-minute trip to her parents’ home east of Toronto where she’ll spend the weekend caring for her mom, 85, left partially paralyzed by a stroke, and giving her 83-year-old dad a much-needed break.
“I’m it,” says Ms. Sinclair, her parents’ only child and herself the single mother of a now-grown daughter. “Sometimes it almost feels like I am in survival mode. I just keep going. There is a lot of guilt because no matter how much you do, it is never enough.”
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
A guard, A girl, A guide dog - Cassandra & Esme At Zara
RSH Limited apologises to guide dog owner Cassandra Chiu for commotion at Zara
APR 13, 2015
BY KASH CHEONG AND YEO SAM JO
SINGAPORE - RSH Limited, Singapore's distribution and retail arm for clothing and accessories chain Zara, has apologised to a blind woman who was turned away by a security guard at the Zara store at Takashimaya Shopping Centre on Friday.
Counsellor Cassandra Chiu had tried to enter with her guide dog Esme, but claims that the security guard at the shop stopped her and verbally abused her. The security guard, contracted through a third party security firm, has been removed from his position at the store, RSH said.
"We sincerely apologise for the unpleasantness, disappointment and anger caused to Ms Cassandra Chiu, as well as members of the public," RSH said in a statement on Monday.
It also confirmed that the store welcomes guide dogs and their owners. The incident was caused by an "unintentional misunderstanding regarding courtesy rules at our stores", RSH said.
The company was responding to queries from The Straits Times on Ms Chiu's post about the incident at Takashimaya Shopping Centre.
It has received more than 1,500 likes since it was posted on Saturday.
Writing as her guide dog Esme on Facebook, Ms Chiu, 36, said she was extremely upset about the guard's behaviour.
"He refused any explanations and insisted 'no animals'," Ms Chiu wrote in her post.
A woman claiming to be the store manager eventually confirmed that guide dogs were not allowed and called the police, she said.
Takashimaya Shopping Centre's security management were also called in to resolve the matter.
Ms Chiu said that she was more upset about the security guard's rudeness, not so much about being turned away.
"It was not a low volume. I asked him to lower his volume and think about it," she said.
"I said his behaviour is no different from an animal."
People who wrote online saying they had seen what happened, however, had pointed out that a man who was with Ms Chiu had also talked to the security guard in an "aggressive, threatening manner".
Administrator Carol Tan, 32, was among the many who weighed in.
"It is up to both parties to maintain mutual courtesy," she said.
"But retail stores must also ensure their staff are up to speed with their guide dog policy."
RSH said that its human resources team had already informed Zara staff members about its guide dog policy. Efforts to educate staff on conflict management will be stepped up.
Takashimaya Shopping Centre also confirmed that it was a guide-dog friendly mall, which means guide dogs can be in shared mall spaces. But it is up to individual tenants to apply the policy as they see fit, the mall added.
Singapore's transport and food place hygiene legislations have been changed across the years to accommodate guide dogs, as they play an important role in guiding the blind.
Ms Chiu has often been vocal about being rejected at local establishments because her guide dog was not allowed in.
Last November, Ms Chiu and Esme were also not allowed to board a taxi. The driver had allegedly driven off when she was standing near the vehicle, and she fell and hurt her knee.
Additional reporting by Linette Lai
Cassandra Chiu resigns from Guide Dogs Association of the Blind
By Xabryna Kek
18 Apr 2015
Ms Chiu, who was a part-time client services manager with the association, has resigned just days after an incident at Zara on Apr 10.
SINGAPORE: Ms Cassandra Chiu, known for being one of the first guide dog owners in Singapore, has resigned from the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind (GDAB), the association confirmed on Saturday (Apr 18).
This comes after reports of an incident at a Zara store at Ngee Ann City on Apr 10. In a Facebook post as Esme, her guide dog, Ms Chiu alleged that the store's security guard verbally abused her after she had tried to enter the store with Esme.
Ms Chiu, who joined GDAB as a part-time client services manager in October 2013, resigned on Apr 14, 2015, said GDAB general manager Vanessa Loh in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia. In the role, Ms Chiu acted as an ambassador for the association.
Calling her departure "unexpected", Ms Loh said GDAB respects Ms Chiu's decision, and that they expect an even greater acceptance of guide dogs following this episode.
"Cassandra resigned because she felt it was time to move on," said Ms Loh. "GDAB appreciates her dedication all these years. As an employee and our first guide dog user, she has done a lot for the cause and we wish her all the best."
"She is still our guide dog user and we will continue to support her as an organisation would to a beneficiary," Ms Loh added.
ACCEPTANCE OF GUIDE DOGS WILL TAKE TIME: GDAB
In response to the incident at Zara, Ms Loh said that the association "fully advocates a wider acceptance of guide dogs among businesses and public places in accordance with the legislature in Singapore", but that this acceptance will take time.
"We are also mindful that acceptance requires time and that there needs to be mutual trust, consent and understanding," said Ms Loh. "GDAB recognises that the use of guide dogs is in its infancy stage in Singapore now, it is also for this reason we launched a guide dog friendly nation campaign in January this year. We hope with continuous effort in awareness and education, Singapore will be an inclusive society for the blind and vision impaired who use guide dogs."
While Ms Chiu has left as an ambassador, Ms Loh said the GDAB sees all its guide dog teams as ambassadors: "Guide dogs bring our clients more mobility, safety and independence. They are active, they work and go about social outings like you and I. With the use of guide dogs being a relatively new concept here, they are our ambassadors who promote awareness just by being out there."
The GDAB currently has three guide dog teams, and one more will be formed soon. Ms Loh said they are currently in the process of gathering other guide dog teams who had been independent of GDAB to get together with them to promote a better understanding of all guide dogs in Singapore. They have also invited Mr Amos Miller, the former Chairman of Guide Dogs UK, to join the board of GDAB.
Ms Loh said the association was heartened by how their past efforts have already resulted in a wider acceptance of guide dogs, and added that moving forward, it will continue to "encourage shops, malls and restaurants that welcome vision-impaired and blind with guide dogs to display guide dog friendly decals prominently at their premises" to reduce misunderstandings with ground staff.
GDAB will hold its first International Guide Dogs Day event on Apr 25 at Bishan Park to pay tribute to guide dogs and the many people involved in training them.
"Guide dogs are extraordinary animals that devote their lives and bring solace to humans who have vision loss," said Ms Loh. "We hope that through the event, more people will come to appreciate the important role they play in our society."
When contacted, Ms Chiu refused to comment on her resignation.
------
Guard in guide dog row was following orders
APR 20, 2015
I REFER to the article "RSH Limited apologises to guide dog owner Cassandra Chiu for commotion at Zara" (ST Online, last Monday).
The Union of Security Employees is disappointed that the security officer has been placed as the party to be blamed in this incident and that his agency has been requested to remove him from his deployment site at the Ngee Ann City outlet.
From the checks we made, we believe that the officer involved was following the instructions of the retail outlet, and the article seems to corroborate this by quoting Ms Cassandra Chiu as saying a "woman claiming to be the store manager eventually confirmed that guide dogs were not allowed and called the police".
While we are fully compassionate about the duress Ms Chiu faced, we take umbrage at the fact that the officer, while doing his job, was unnecessarily provoked into a reaction.
While we acknowledge that security officers should remain calm and composed when carrying out their duties, mutual respect from all parties is also important to create a safe and pleasant environment for both our security officers and members of the public.
That this incident led to the officer suffering a dent in his career is disheartening as the officer was simply doing his job and can now possibly face issues with his livelihood.
We urge members of the public to respect our security officers, who are often deployed at the front lines and, at times, are subjected to abuse. Our officers perform an important job, and the union will stand by them if they are unfairly treated.
Hareenderpal Singh
APR 13, 2015
BY KASH CHEONG AND YEO SAM JO
SINGAPORE - RSH Limited, Singapore's distribution and retail arm for clothing and accessories chain Zara, has apologised to a blind woman who was turned away by a security guard at the Zara store at Takashimaya Shopping Centre on Friday.
Counsellor Cassandra Chiu had tried to enter with her guide dog Esme, but claims that the security guard at the shop stopped her and verbally abused her. The security guard, contracted through a third party security firm, has been removed from his position at the store, RSH said.
"We sincerely apologise for the unpleasantness, disappointment and anger caused to Ms Cassandra Chiu, as well as members of the public," RSH said in a statement on Monday.
It also confirmed that the store welcomes guide dogs and their owners. The incident was caused by an "unintentional misunderstanding regarding courtesy rules at our stores", RSH said.
The company was responding to queries from The Straits Times on Ms Chiu's post about the incident at Takashimaya Shopping Centre.
It has received more than 1,500 likes since it was posted on Saturday.
Writing as her guide dog Esme on Facebook, Ms Chiu, 36, said she was extremely upset about the guard's behaviour.
"He refused any explanations and insisted 'no animals'," Ms Chiu wrote in her post.
A woman claiming to be the store manager eventually confirmed that guide dogs were not allowed and called the police, she said.
Takashimaya Shopping Centre's security management were also called in to resolve the matter.
Ms Chiu said that she was more upset about the security guard's rudeness, not so much about being turned away.
"It was not a low volume. I asked him to lower his volume and think about it," she said.
"I said his behaviour is no different from an animal."
People who wrote online saying they had seen what happened, however, had pointed out that a man who was with Ms Chiu had also talked to the security guard in an "aggressive, threatening manner".
Administrator Carol Tan, 32, was among the many who weighed in.
"It is up to both parties to maintain mutual courtesy," she said.
"But retail stores must also ensure their staff are up to speed with their guide dog policy."
RSH said that its human resources team had already informed Zara staff members about its guide dog policy. Efforts to educate staff on conflict management will be stepped up.
Takashimaya Shopping Centre also confirmed that it was a guide-dog friendly mall, which means guide dogs can be in shared mall spaces. But it is up to individual tenants to apply the policy as they see fit, the mall added.
Singapore's transport and food place hygiene legislations have been changed across the years to accommodate guide dogs, as they play an important role in guiding the blind.
Ms Chiu has often been vocal about being rejected at local establishments because her guide dog was not allowed in.
Last November, Ms Chiu and Esme were also not allowed to board a taxi. The driver had allegedly driven off when she was standing near the vehicle, and she fell and hurt her knee.
Additional reporting by Linette Lai
Cassandra Chiu resigns from Guide Dogs Association of the Blind
By Xabryna Kek
18 Apr 2015
Ms Chiu, who was a part-time client services manager with the association, has resigned just days after an incident at Zara on Apr 10.
SINGAPORE: Ms Cassandra Chiu, known for being one of the first guide dog owners in Singapore, has resigned from the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind (GDAB), the association confirmed on Saturday (Apr 18).
This comes after reports of an incident at a Zara store at Ngee Ann City on Apr 10. In a Facebook post as Esme, her guide dog, Ms Chiu alleged that the store's security guard verbally abused her after she had tried to enter the store with Esme.
Ms Chiu, who joined GDAB as a part-time client services manager in October 2013, resigned on Apr 14, 2015, said GDAB general manager Vanessa Loh in response to queries from Channel NewsAsia. In the role, Ms Chiu acted as an ambassador for the association.
Calling her departure "unexpected", Ms Loh said GDAB respects Ms Chiu's decision, and that they expect an even greater acceptance of guide dogs following this episode.
"Cassandra resigned because she felt it was time to move on," said Ms Loh. "GDAB appreciates her dedication all these years. As an employee and our first guide dog user, she has done a lot for the cause and we wish her all the best."
"She is still our guide dog user and we will continue to support her as an organisation would to a beneficiary," Ms Loh added.
ACCEPTANCE OF GUIDE DOGS WILL TAKE TIME: GDAB
In response to the incident at Zara, Ms Loh said that the association "fully advocates a wider acceptance of guide dogs among businesses and public places in accordance with the legislature in Singapore", but that this acceptance will take time.
"We are also mindful that acceptance requires time and that there needs to be mutual trust, consent and understanding," said Ms Loh. "GDAB recognises that the use of guide dogs is in its infancy stage in Singapore now, it is also for this reason we launched a guide dog friendly nation campaign in January this year. We hope with continuous effort in awareness and education, Singapore will be an inclusive society for the blind and vision impaired who use guide dogs."
While Ms Chiu has left as an ambassador, Ms Loh said the GDAB sees all its guide dog teams as ambassadors: "Guide dogs bring our clients more mobility, safety and independence. They are active, they work and go about social outings like you and I. With the use of guide dogs being a relatively new concept here, they are our ambassadors who promote awareness just by being out there."
The GDAB currently has three guide dog teams, and one more will be formed soon. Ms Loh said they are currently in the process of gathering other guide dog teams who had been independent of GDAB to get together with them to promote a better understanding of all guide dogs in Singapore. They have also invited Mr Amos Miller, the former Chairman of Guide Dogs UK, to join the board of GDAB.
Ms Loh said the association was heartened by how their past efforts have already resulted in a wider acceptance of guide dogs, and added that moving forward, it will continue to "encourage shops, malls and restaurants that welcome vision-impaired and blind with guide dogs to display guide dog friendly decals prominently at their premises" to reduce misunderstandings with ground staff.
GDAB will hold its first International Guide Dogs Day event on Apr 25 at Bishan Park to pay tribute to guide dogs and the many people involved in training them.
"Guide dogs are extraordinary animals that devote their lives and bring solace to humans who have vision loss," said Ms Loh. "We hope that through the event, more people will come to appreciate the important role they play in our society."
When contacted, Ms Chiu refused to comment on her resignation.
------
Guard in guide dog row was following orders
APR 20, 2015
I REFER to the article "RSH Limited apologises to guide dog owner Cassandra Chiu for commotion at Zara" (ST Online, last Monday).
The Union of Security Employees is disappointed that the security officer has been placed as the party to be blamed in this incident and that his agency has been requested to remove him from his deployment site at the Ngee Ann City outlet.
From the checks we made, we believe that the officer involved was following the instructions of the retail outlet, and the article seems to corroborate this by quoting Ms Cassandra Chiu as saying a "woman claiming to be the store manager eventually confirmed that guide dogs were not allowed and called the police".
While we are fully compassionate about the duress Ms Chiu faced, we take umbrage at the fact that the officer, while doing his job, was unnecessarily provoked into a reaction.
While we acknowledge that security officers should remain calm and composed when carrying out their duties, mutual respect from all parties is also important to create a safe and pleasant environment for both our security officers and members of the public.
That this incident led to the officer suffering a dent in his career is disheartening as the officer was simply doing his job and can now possibly face issues with his livelihood.
We urge members of the public to respect our security officers, who are often deployed at the front lines and, at times, are subjected to abuse. Our officers perform an important job, and the union will stand by them if they are unfairly treated.
Hareenderpal Singh
Saturday, March 15, 2014
Budget 2014: Top 20 measures
BUDGET DEBATE 2014
A
raft of policy changes was announced over the past three weeks, from
the Budget statement on Feb 21 to yesterday’s sitting. They concern
Singaporeans from all walks of life, and companies. Here is our pick of 20 new measures. (Singapolitics)
A fair and equitable society
1. $8 billion Pioneer Generation Package
- Medisave top-up of $200 to $800 a year.
- MediShield Life premium subsidy from 40 per cent to 60 per cent.
- Extra 50 per cent off subsidised outpatient bill.
- Disability assistance of $1,200 a year.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Time for Singapore to play mother to its needy kids
Dec 5, 2010
By Irene Tham
The story of Linda Lee is poignant as much for her already pitiful plight - she was physically disabled and had low IQ - as for her tragic death.
The 12-year-old was found dead at the foot of a block of HDB flats in Hougang on Nov 24. The family's 24-year-old maid, Nurhayati, who comes from Indramayu in West Java, has since been charged with murder.
Short of baying for blood, much more is crying to be done for special little people like Linda.
Maybe my maternal instincts are going into overdrive - I became the mother of a bright and lively girl a year ago.
But more pertinently, I closely identify with the emotional and financial struggles the parents of disabled children face daily - having personally known some of these caregivers.
For the longest time, Singapore has been a father of many policies and programmes, some even worthy of export. It may be high time for Singapore to play the role of a mother too - to needy children.
I couldn't agree more with outspoken former senior civil servant Ngiam Tong Dow's recent call for funds and talent to be channelled towards helping the most underprivileged children.
The 73-year-old said the Government should deploy its funds and the energies of the country's 'social elites' - community and religious leaders - to shelter, feed and educate the bottom 5 per cent of children.
Without such early intervention, these children - most of whom are from broken families - will become a future source of problems for society, he said at the launch of his second book, Dynamics Of The Singapore Success Story: Insights By Ngiam Tong Dow, on Nov 20.
[I think the point of focusing on the 5% was to help them out of the poverty circle. And they can be helped. You can "teach them to fish".
The issue of disabled children is a little different. These will always need to be "given a fish". With training, they may be able to eat the fish on their own, but some may even need help with that.]
Linda may not qualify as a broken-home child. Still, more professional help can't hurt.
Said sociologist Mathew Mathews, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies: 'What these families need are additional resources, in terms of finances, emotional and psychological support and various kinds of ways by which they can find some respite during seasons where they need to take a break.'
It was a step forward when the Government extended its social safety net during March's Budget debate - recognising the emotionally and financially draining journey parents face raising special needs children.
Now, all Singaporean special needs children - including those from well-off families - attending an early intervention programme at the pre-school level get a special $300 monthly payment to offset course fees which are about $1,000 a month.
Previously, subsidies for those from families earning more than $3,500 a month were meant to have been gradually reduced over four years to zero by this year.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore's social safety net was working well and the Government would keep looking for ways to improve it - without creating a handout mentality. He was speaking to 400 community and grassroots leaders and social workers to mark the fifth anniversary of the Community Care Endowment Fund, addressing growing concerns about a widening income gap in Singapore.
It is heartening to know the Government is looking to improve things.
But clearly, there are shortcomings in the current system.
# First, the onus is on the families to apply for help with community development councils (CDCs), citizens consultative committees and family service centres. Some cases may fall through the cracks.
[Or we can see it as families who are able to help themselves do not need govt handouts. Easing the helping process may make it an entitlement.]
# Second, special schools that cater to children with disabilities - hearing impairment, autism or low IQ - are run by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and private institutions. They are often limited by funding.
# Third, demand for space has been outstripping supply at some special schools, especially those for autistic children.
Specifically, more trained teachers are needed, said Ms Denise Phua, supervisor on the boards of the Pathlight School and Eden School for autistic children.
'We don't offer a place unless we have the trained teachers at hand,' said Ms Phua, who is also an MP for Jalan Besar GRC.
# Fourth, the Government adopts an arms-length approach in overseeing special schools. The VWOs bear the primary responsibility of running the special schools As a result, quality is inconsistent, depending on individual VWO board capability and commitment.
# Fifth, it is not mandatory for special needs children to go to school.
Moving forward, Ms Phua thinks the Government should be more involved in special schools' curriculum development and their teachers' pedagogical training. It should also make education compulsory for special needs children, she said.
A Malay family I spoke to recently provides a picture of some of the gaps in the system.
The family were left in dire straits after their sole breadwinner, a 50-year-old part-time cleaner, died in a freak bus accident in July this year. The dead man left a wife - who does not understand English - and four sick sons, aged eight to 21.
Their eldest son has mental illness while the second one has kidney failure. The second and third sons are intellectually disabled, attending special schools, while the youngest son was being tested for IQ and kidney problems.
The family had received occasional handouts from the CDC and various VWOs.
But the children's lot had not improved and their story was almost fading into history until after the freak accident was reported in The Straits Times. Donations poured in for the family after the report, providing them with more certainty about the children's education.
Clearly, arms-length management is not the way forward.
The Government also has to accept the fact that some disabled children will always be reliant on their caregivers. Singapore's social safety system - based on the principle that assistance should boost self-reliance - should not be followed to the letter.
[For most of these children, even the early intervention programmes will only improve their functioning somewhat. They will still need caregivers. It may be better to focus on the caregiver and training the caregiver. Maybe maids that have some training and aptitude for caring for disabled children may be paid more?]
The bottom 5 per cent of children may never contribute to Singapore's economy the way the top 5 per cent will.
Should more funds and the energies of the country's 'social elites' be channelled to these bottom 5 per cent anyway? For a nation with a soul, the answer is 'yes'.
itham@sph.com.sg
By Irene Tham
The story of Linda Lee is poignant as much for her already pitiful plight - she was physically disabled and had low IQ - as for her tragic death.
The 12-year-old was found dead at the foot of a block of HDB flats in Hougang on Nov 24. The family's 24-year-old maid, Nurhayati, who comes from Indramayu in West Java, has since been charged with murder.
Short of baying for blood, much more is crying to be done for special little people like Linda.
Maybe my maternal instincts are going into overdrive - I became the mother of a bright and lively girl a year ago.
But more pertinently, I closely identify with the emotional and financial struggles the parents of disabled children face daily - having personally known some of these caregivers.
For the longest time, Singapore has been a father of many policies and programmes, some even worthy of export. It may be high time for Singapore to play the role of a mother too - to needy children.
I couldn't agree more with outspoken former senior civil servant Ngiam Tong Dow's recent call for funds and talent to be channelled towards helping the most underprivileged children.
The 73-year-old said the Government should deploy its funds and the energies of the country's 'social elites' - community and religious leaders - to shelter, feed and educate the bottom 5 per cent of children.
Without such early intervention, these children - most of whom are from broken families - will become a future source of problems for society, he said at the launch of his second book, Dynamics Of The Singapore Success Story: Insights By Ngiam Tong Dow, on Nov 20.
[I think the point of focusing on the 5% was to help them out of the poverty circle. And they can be helped. You can "teach them to fish".
The issue of disabled children is a little different. These will always need to be "given a fish". With training, they may be able to eat the fish on their own, but some may even need help with that.]
Linda may not qualify as a broken-home child. Still, more professional help can't hurt.
Said sociologist Mathew Mathews, a research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies: 'What these families need are additional resources, in terms of finances, emotional and psychological support and various kinds of ways by which they can find some respite during seasons where they need to take a break.'
It was a step forward when the Government extended its social safety net during March's Budget debate - recognising the emotionally and financially draining journey parents face raising special needs children.
Now, all Singaporean special needs children - including those from well-off families - attending an early intervention programme at the pre-school level get a special $300 monthly payment to offset course fees which are about $1,000 a month.
Previously, subsidies for those from families earning more than $3,500 a month were meant to have been gradually reduced over four years to zero by this year.
Last Thursday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore's social safety net was working well and the Government would keep looking for ways to improve it - without creating a handout mentality. He was speaking to 400 community and grassroots leaders and social workers to mark the fifth anniversary of the Community Care Endowment Fund, addressing growing concerns about a widening income gap in Singapore.
It is heartening to know the Government is looking to improve things.
But clearly, there are shortcomings in the current system.
# First, the onus is on the families to apply for help with community development councils (CDCs), citizens consultative committees and family service centres. Some cases may fall through the cracks.
[Or we can see it as families who are able to help themselves do not need govt handouts. Easing the helping process may make it an entitlement.]
# Second, special schools that cater to children with disabilities - hearing impairment, autism or low IQ - are run by voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and private institutions. They are often limited by funding.
# Third, demand for space has been outstripping supply at some special schools, especially those for autistic children.
Specifically, more trained teachers are needed, said Ms Denise Phua, supervisor on the boards of the Pathlight School and Eden School for autistic children.
'We don't offer a place unless we have the trained teachers at hand,' said Ms Phua, who is also an MP for Jalan Besar GRC.
# Fourth, the Government adopts an arms-length approach in overseeing special schools. The VWOs bear the primary responsibility of running the special schools As a result, quality is inconsistent, depending on individual VWO board capability and commitment.
# Fifth, it is not mandatory for special needs children to go to school.
Moving forward, Ms Phua thinks the Government should be more involved in special schools' curriculum development and their teachers' pedagogical training. It should also make education compulsory for special needs children, she said.
A Malay family I spoke to recently provides a picture of some of the gaps in the system.
The family were left in dire straits after their sole breadwinner, a 50-year-old part-time cleaner, died in a freak bus accident in July this year. The dead man left a wife - who does not understand English - and four sick sons, aged eight to 21.
Their eldest son has mental illness while the second one has kidney failure. The second and third sons are intellectually disabled, attending special schools, while the youngest son was being tested for IQ and kidney problems.
The family had received occasional handouts from the CDC and various VWOs.
But the children's lot had not improved and their story was almost fading into history until after the freak accident was reported in The Straits Times. Donations poured in for the family after the report, providing them with more certainty about the children's education.
Clearly, arms-length management is not the way forward.
The Government also has to accept the fact that some disabled children will always be reliant on their caregivers. Singapore's social safety system - based on the principle that assistance should boost self-reliance - should not be followed to the letter.
[For most of these children, even the early intervention programmes will only improve their functioning somewhat. They will still need caregivers. It may be better to focus on the caregiver and training the caregiver. Maybe maids that have some training and aptitude for caring for disabled children may be paid more?]
The bottom 5 per cent of children may never contribute to Singapore's economy the way the top 5 per cent will.
Should more funds and the energies of the country's 'social elites' be channelled to these bottom 5 per cent anyway? For a nation with a soul, the answer is 'yes'.
itham@sph.com.sg
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