When someone mentions the phrase “my hero”, three faces appear in my mind. They all have different backgrounds and personalities but they have one thing in common. They make me a better person.
The Work Horse represents my mother. She is the eldest of three siblings. She only received an education up to secondary four. She used to work as a nurse but gave up her career when her two young children needed her to stay home and be a housewife. She has spent her entire life, being there for her parents, her siblings and after she got married, her family. Being the eldest and most reliable child, she is usually the first person my grandparents will call on. Never mind the fact that my grandparents have two sons who are more educated and who drive. But she just takes everything in her stride. My mother is 63 years old this year and she still can’t live her own life. As her daughter, I want her to enjoy life and to do things that she never had time to do before. But she can’t. The only thing I can do for my mother now is to share her load at home whenever I can. The more I can do at home means the less she has to do when she gets home from taking care of my grandparents. What have I learnt from my mother? I’ve learnt how to be filial, patient and to manage my time better.
The Magician is someone who is not a Singaporean. I first met her when I changed my career, from being an engineer to teaching young children with autism. Her name is Miss Anita Russell. She is Australian and she is the Autism Consultant in the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore). Anita is a very special woman. She is trained as a speech and language therapist but she became an advocate for autism. She is very knowledgeable in the field of autism and she is willing to share her knowledge with those who are willing to learn. There is only one thing she expects in return. Use that knowledge to better the lives of people with autism. The way she is able to do so many things at the same time never fails to astound me. How does she find the time to do all that she does, and still have a social life? Anita has taught me that certain things are worth believing in and fighting for. We may be ordinary people, but we can make miracles happen in the lives of others.
Last but definitely not least, is the Dreamer. Without her vision, I would be without a job. Her name is Miss Denise Phua. She started Pathlight School and the Autism Resource Centre (Singapore). Denise has a son with autism. As a parent, she found Singapore lacking affordable, quality intervention and educational centres for children with autism. Together with other parents and professionals, she has come a long way in trying to better the lives of children with autism. She has a vision. To equip these children with skills so they will be able to lead independent and meaningful lives. Denise believes in “saving lives”. She makes me believe that we can impact these lives. From her I’ve learnt that passion and determination go hand in hand. We must have the passion to believe that we can do it, and have the determination to see it through.
They are the heroes in my life.