since the age of two”. The 30-year-old
is a fine example of how a child with
special needs can be successfully
integrated into a mainstream
educational system.
Starting with his enrollment
in the playgroup, Jovin continued
under Leaena's pioneering TEACH
ME Programme (Therapy and
Educational Assistance for Children
in Mainstream Education), a project
that enables special needs students
to compete on an equal level with
able-bodied students.
Besides Jovin, quadriplegic Bay
Meng Chien was also a participant
and obtained an internship with
UBS. Subsequently he was hired as
full-time staff over other able-bodied
candidates.
Paralympian swimmers Theresa
Goh (congenital spinal bifida, Public
Service Medal 2008) and Yip Pin Xiu
(muscular dystrophy, Meritorious
Service Medal 2008) were also TEACH
ME children.
The list goes on and on. Hundreds
of capable disabled young adults
are now leading fulfilling lives as a
consequence of Leaena's project.Bold as a lioness
Over 60 years onward, Leaena, now
an indefatigable grandmother of three
grandsons, still champions the cause
of Singapore's multiply disabled or
"special needs" children, helping
them attain dignity in their lives,
achieve their maximum potential and
to support their mothers, who have
unflinchingly borne their burden with
fortitude, as mothers have done for
centuries. Her goal is to include the
excluded – that is, to include the
disabled in Singapore's compulsory
education scheme for children.
We are glad for Leaena’s boldness,
whose name in Latin means
"lioness", for in her boldness, the
unacceptable are accepted, and the
excluded are included. agoffered their facility without strings,
eventually purchasing a building at
Norris Road to carry on their work.
Upon joint study with the National
Council of Social Services, AWWA
established that over 100 physically
disabled students were attending
mainstream schools. However, they
weren't doing well as their parents
could afford neither time nor money
for therapy. So, based on the idea
of "mobile clinics" equipped with
medical equipment that once
plied Singapore's rural villages
and outlying districts combating
tuberculosis, vans fitted with
physiotherapy equipment plied theOver 60 years on, Leaena is still championing
the cause of Singapore's multiply disabled or
"special needs" children, helping them attain
dignity in their lives
In 1965, as her husband, Dr John
Tambyah and her strongly believed
that their children should be brought
up by themselves, she stopped work
when she was expecting her son and
began helping out with voluntary
organisations.
Catalyst for change
In 1967, the sudden pullout of British
forces from Singapore created a gap
in volunteer work hitherto excellently
performed by the wives of British
servicemen. The Asian Women's
Welfare Association (AWWA) stepped
into the breach. Founder Mrs.
Shakuntala Bhatia, wife of the then
Indian High Commissioner, and Mrs
Vimala Kulasekaram roped in Leaena
in 1972.
But who, or what was the catalyst
for Leaena's accomplishments in the
world of the multiply-handicapped? It
was 1979, the International Year of the
Child. Leaena met a mother with her
multiply-disabled son, who was asked
to leave a reception class as her son
was coldly considered "ineducable".
Yet, his mother never gave up hope
for her child. She dressed him well,
spoke, laughed and joked with him.
Leaena realised soon after, that
although specific disabilities were
well-catered for, no single institution
catered to multiple disabilities.
Deciding to do something for this
group of children, she approached
almoners of the Paediatric Unit at
Outram Road General Hospital (as it
was then known) for a list of children
suitable for her project.
AWWA volunteers started it off as a
playgroup in St Ignatius Church who
country to reach disabled children.
Until today, these vans run on.Bright spark Jovin Tan
Jovin Tan's success story has
everything to do with Leaena
Tambyah. The inspiring Paralympian,
who is headed for Rio 2016, was born
with cerebral palsy but is today a
national sailor who also works with
the Chapman Consulting Group.
Jovin, who is a recipient of
the Singapore Youth Award in
2012, credits his employers as
being supportive of their disabled
employees who are also sportsmen,
as he frequently has to train for and
attend competitions overseas.
To Jovin, sailing has given him
confidence, discipline and strength,
both physical and mental, to take on
the rigours of daily life.
For Leaena, Jovin is very special
as he had in a sense been under her
wings. Speaking to ASIAN Geographic,
he said to us simply, “I've known her