Almost 5 years have passed since the day I summited

Mount Everest in 2012. Thanks to my kind sponsors,

I was able to raise more than $40,000 for the Tan Tock

Seng Hospital Charity Fund as well as get involved in

community projects giving back to the Nepali people.

In the months following that memorable day, I have been

busy giving media interviews, photoshoots, answering

enquiries from fellow aspiring Everesters and giving talks

and lectures to educational/medical/commercial

institutions. Every time I talk about Everest I am brought

back to the mountain and it motivates me further. I live on

the mountains through my memories and the passion

when I share my experiences.

This year, I have completed the Mt K2 climb

(8,611m, world’s 2nd highest peak) in June and

will return to climb Mt Makalu

(8,481m, world’s 5th highest peak)

in August. I am now raising funds for

the Singapore National Stroke Association

(SNSA). The funds are for SNSA programs to raise

awareness for stroke victims in Singapore and

to educate the public on preventative

measures to avoid a stroke. The funds

will also help with the rehabilitation

of stroke victims and their

re-integration with society.

To support Dr Kumaran’s cause and

contribute to SNSA programs, you can go to

Giving.sg: https://tinyurl.com/no-mountain-too-high

 

COVER STORY: NO MOUNTAIN TOO HIGHDr. Kumaran Rasappan’s SNSA Campaign Story

Dr. Kumaran Rasappan

[Senior Orthopaedic

Surgical Resident

with National

Healthcare Group]

Brought to you by

Editor

Mrs Elaine Wee

Members

Dr N V Ramani

Dr Deidre Anne De Silva

Dr Samuel Geoffrey

Mrs Lee Lay Beng

Ms Nur Hafizah Mohd Amin

Mr Michael Quek

Mr Anthony Chee

For more information on Dr Kumaran‘s climb, please see the link: https://climbeverest2012.wordpress.com

Copyright of the materials contained in this newsletter belongs to Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA). Nothing in here shall be reproduced in whole or in part

without prior consent of SNSA. Views expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of SNSA and no liabilities shall be attached thereto. All rights reserved.

For enquiries or feedback on Stroke Watch, please write to contact@snsa.org.sg Online Stroke Watch : http://www.snsa.org.sg/news-media/strokewatch-newsletter/

OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL STROKE ASSOCIATION (SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2017) MICA (P) 020/08/2017

In This Issue

1 No Mountain Too High

2 Stroke Strikes FAST, Don't Play Play

3 SNSA Volunteer on the GO!

4 Stroke Clubs

Social Outings

5 Stroke Self Management Programme

6 Better Minds, Better Lives, Better Tomorrow

Stroke Health Talks

National Day Parade 2017

7 Reflections from Student Volunteers

8 Student Projects

In Appreciation

MICA (P) 020/08/2017OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE SINGAPORE NATIONAL STROKE ASSOCIATION (SEPTEMBER - DECEMBER 2017)

當我們開始展開 “中風知識和如何預防”這項活動時我們要灌輸一個重要的訊息給公眾人士。那就是

中風是常見的疾病，帶來重的後果,每六個人一生中有一人會受到它的影響。在新加坡殘疾的成年

人，排在第一位是中風的患病者，因中風而死亡則排在第四位。一個患了中風疾病的人不僅受到病痛

的折磨，也造成家庭沉重的負擔。根據流行病學研究顯示， 50-80%的中風是可以預防。因此就必須意

識到中風前的徵兆而即刻採取行動。這項社區服務專案社是我社和新加坡全國中風協會聯合主辦，並

得到楊厝港公民諮詢委員會，管委會和 Lentor鄰里居委會的合作協辦，我們的目標是：

1. 建立起人們對中風危險的認知。

2. 要瞭解 F.A.S.T.中風的症兆和當症狀開始時如何處理。

3. 傳達中風的知識以及如何減低中風的發生。

4. 教育公眾人士，中風後生活和生命還是有希望。

5. 為新加坡全國中風人士協會籌集活動資金，讓協會繼續為中風倖存者和看護人服務。

這項活動我們也得到公司企業的慷慨捐獻，新加坡基金鱷魚會，協發漆料公司的捐款，

• Princeton Pharmacy (S) Pte Ltd,

• Crocodile Foundation Singapore,

• Hiap Huat Paints Co,

• Unifoods International (S) Pte Ltd,

• PUB New Water,

• Gardenia Foods (S) Pte Ltd and

• Emtech Wellness International Pte Ltd.

贊助健康禮物和器材。

2017年 2月25日我們的在楊厝港社區俱樂部舉行，從早上 9到下午 2:30，一共接待了約 441位民和

公眾人士。大會的主賓是許寶坤醫生，我國國家發展部兼貿易與工業政務次長，宏茂橋集選區國會議

員。

當天的活動節目包括：

• 中英文講座-中風的常識

• 中風倖存者分享生活經驗• 讓兒童在遊戲活動中認識中風的醫護人員和義工幫忙公眾人士作健康檢查，必要時就會在場的醫生進一步問診

• 教導參加的人士製作裝飾袋，瓷磚彩繪• 教導健康的“Zumba”運動操

• 現場提供 Unifood營養豆漿，麥片飲料

• Emtech提供享用 4合 1 BioCell Charger的保健器材

• 分發健康禮袋給所有參與的人士，福袋內有蘋果，• Gardenia面包，新生水

獅城扶輪社的社員共捐 $21,000加上 PP拿督陳賢進博士

的鱷魚基金會和社員黃選民的協發漆料公司各捐 $5,000

助，我們將多餘$21,000捐贈給新加坡全國中風人士協

會,辦各項活動和協助中風倖存者及他們的看護者的福

祉。

Guest Speakers (Left to Right)

Mr Anthony Quek (stroke survivor)

Ms Tan IL Fan

Advanced Practice Nurse (Neurology)

Dr Chiew Hui Jin

(Neurologist)

SNSA is grateful to the Rotary Club of Garden

City for their generous contribution and

continual support.

Dedication and

hard work of

Talented

Volunteers had

made the event

a great success.

中風–謹慎預防，別掉以輕心 周發興編譯

STROKE STRIKES FAST, DON'T PLAY PLAYLocal Community Service Project by Community Service Project Chair PP Florence Lim

2

 

 

There is no stopping our cheerful Vice-President and

long-serving volunteer Eugene Jayme Escanan from

leading a meaningful life after surviving 4 strokes.

He has been volunteering at SNSA since he joined in

2010. He has also been active in SNSA management:

Past President (2011 -2012) and Vice-President

(2013-present). His story as a stroke survivor began in 2006 when hesuffered his 4th Haemorrhagic stroke after 3 TIAs(Transient Ischemic Attacks) from previous years.His parents were also stroke survivors. Althoughstroke has featured many times in Eugene’s life, hehas never given up hope. Instead, Eugene choosesto stay positive and empower himself whenever hefaces a new challenge.

SNSA VOLUNTEER on the GO!The Eugene Jayme Escanan’s Story

His passion for life has inspired his son

Miguel to volunteer at a tender age of 5

and many others who have met him.

For his dedicated service, Eugene was

awarded the

Healthcare Humanity Award (Volunteer)

in 2016.

He walks the talk and shows us that there is indeed a

meaningful life after stroke. Under his caring

leadership, his team of Befrienders has expanded and

is now serving 3 hospitals: Tan Tock Seng Hospital,

Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community

Hospital. They visit the stroke patients in these

hospitals regularly to comfort, encourage and lend

them a listening ear. The hospitals have been

recognising the dedicated service of SNSA volunteers

on the International Volunteer Day since 2013.

He always amazes everyone with his mental strength

and cheerfulness in the face of adversity. Despite his

limited mobility, he always finds the time to befriend

stroke patients in the hospitals every week. He says

he feels happier and healthier when he helps other

stroke survivors, and sees the stroke patients go

home encouraged and motivated. To improve his

communication with stroke survivors from all races,

he has mastered basic words of major languages and

dialects. It is his sense of personal satisfaction and

fulfilment that drive him

He is grateful for the volunteering opportunity provided by SNSA for

stroke survivors and SNSA’s continual support of the befriending

service since 1996.

(Top to bottom):

Befriending

Service Teams

from Tan Tock

Seng Hospital,

Yishun

Community

Hospital and Khoo

Teck Puat

Hospital

to do more,

care more and help

more.

3

Insightful sharing of

the constant struggles

faced by every

caregiver and the

sacrifices they make to

give the best to their

loved ones in their

daily care-giving, led

by Mr Joel Chua(Certified Counsellor)

Caregiver

Support Group

(April 2017)

“The talk and

check-list were

wonderful,

informative,

practical and keeps

us aware and alert

of the signs.”Frank Ng(Stroke Survivor)

SOCIAL OUTINGS

”A Great Zumba Workout!” Amos Wee (Stroke Survivor)

4

STROKE SELF-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

NATIONAL DAY PARADE 2017

“Awesome!”Linda Tan(Caregiver to Philip Tan)“Thank you!”

Damien Lee(Stroke Survivor)

Tan Tok Seng Hospital @ AMKTHK(May - June 2017)

Facilitators: Li PeiwenSupported by: Alex Chia & Tan Poh Choo

Participants:

Billy Lee Beng Cheng, Christee Dass, Loh Koon Nam,

Poh Cheng Keat, Tan Bok Choon, Tan Tuang Soon,

Wang Pang Keong, Wu Yip Yuen

Singapore National Stroke Association(May - July 2017)

Facilitators: Tan Chia Nee & Fan Loo Ching

Participants:

Ananda Rajah, Andrew Ang, Angeline Ang Bee Choo, Angeline Ang

Swee Yee, Jagdesh Kaur (Jackie), Alan Leong, Mandy Leow, Modhan

Dharan, Rosaline Choo

Jurong Community Hospital(July - August 2017)

Facilitators: Chin Chi Hsien

Supported by: Anthony Quek & Tan Poh Choo

Participants:

Boey Tin Chee, Chan Ann Fun, Daphne Toh, David Lee

5

BETTER MINDS, BETTER LIVES, BETTER TOMORROWby NATIONAL NEUROSCIENCE INSTITUTE

Singapore National Stroke Association (SNSA) supported the

public awareness campaign on stroke and other prevalent

neurological conditions such as dementia, brain tumours and

Parkinson’s disease organised by National Neuroscience

Institute in May 2017 at the “Our Tampines Hub”. The

community education event aimed to create greater

awareness for neurological conditions (e.g.. stroke), focusing

on the importance of early intervention, prevention and

rehabilitation.

SNSA member (Ms Christina Teo)

presented her artwork to the GOH

Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat.

SNSA volunteers met the GOH up close and personal.Brilliant

performance

by our

Talented SNSA

Choir.

SNSA volunteers conduct regular talks for public

and private agencies.

STROKE AWARENESS TALK

"I was at a low-risk for stroke butlow risk does not mean no risk,"Mr Heng said.

“Even when we take precautions and live healthily, disease canstill strike. And when we do fall ill, early treatment and early rehabilitation are important."

6

One thing I learnt through this event is that perseverance helps drive uson in life. Many stroke survivors who were handicapped were insistenton walking the last few metres even though it was tiring for them towalk. But their determination paid off and they finally made it to thefinish line.

It was an enriching and engaging experience for me as I helped out atthe event. I learnt about empathy and compassion. As I was helpingthem, I thought, how can this small event actually impact such a bignumber of people? The success of these small events actually comesfrom creating stroke awareness in the community. Advertisementsabout stroke on televisions, magazines and social media help to raiseawareness on this topic. Slowly but surely, Singaporeans will beequipped with the knowledge and skill to combat STROKE.

Joshua Ng, 1 Devotion, Presbyterian High School

Lush green scenery. Trees, bushes and leaves were scattered across a vast land. A small lake wasin the middle of all of it. Huts were built at scenic spots in the location. Guess where was I? I wasat the Botanic Gardens doing volunteer work with my family held by the Singapore NationalStroke Association, to assist the stroke survivors in a walk.

A story about an accountant who suffered from stroke and persevered was revealed to me. Theman, who was living a normal life, suddenly had a stroke. Half of his body was paralysed, and hecould not go back to work as an accountant anymore. But this admirable man persevered on toearn a living. So, now he owns a stall and is making rojak, with one hand. You might think it isjust another story on perseverance, but this story is one that is extraordinary. Many people whosuffer from stroke actually go into depression, because they cannot move, talk and live like theyused to. My grandfather for example, also suffered from stroke, three times. On the third time,he became depressed due to the fact that he could not use the spoon and chopsticks like heused to, he had to walk with a limp and was weak with his dominant hand.

黄振扬,小五L3,培华长老会小学

我是义工们之中的小帮手，在一个炎热的傍晚和中风患者一

起散步，绕植物园的水池几圈。

我看到很多中风患者一手拿着拐杖，用比较有力的脚往

前，不停努力地走。他们在大家的鼓励下坚持下去。例如我

帮的一位中风患者。他看起来中风很严重，需要有两个人扶

他。到了终点，他还是要坚持在走多一点。我觉得这些中风

患者的态度真是 “坚持到底，才能成功” ，他们虽然中风而

行动不便，但却不灰心，这样的态度真令人敬佩!

我发现义工们多数是都是中年人，觉得义工们需要更多青

少年人，带来欢乐给中风患者。也有几位义工们是物理治疗

师，他们教中风患者怎样做热身运动，也和中风患者一起散

步。我觉得这些工作很有意义，长大后也希望能为社会贡献。

我觉得这些户外活动对患者非常有意义。这不但能让他们

呼吸一些清新的空气，也能让他们放松心情。这样他们就知

道外面有很多比呆在家里精彩的事可以做，例如到公园散步、

到家楼下和邻居谈谈话。我想这就可以让中风患者的生命更

有乐趣，让他们感到快乐！

Jonas Ng, P5L3

Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School

Reflections from Student Volunteers

7

8

Date

UPCOMING EVENTS

30 Sept@2pm Talk on Emotional Health NTUC Silver Circle

26 Nov@5pm Evening Stroll Labrador - Berlayer Boardwalk Greek

2 Dec@2pm Talk on Nutrition NTUC Silver Circle

Event Venue