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Finally.. we have fulfilled Ms Choo Ngay Lee’s wish by making her various sets of bracelets and necklaces.. also a pair of earrings.

It was a pleasant sunny day when we arrived at the center, with my children Max and Maya. We brought along also some fruits cakes, egg tarts, breads, donuts and drinks.

As before we were welcome by the same girl, Ms Lew Yoke Siam at the center with her friendly smile and a hand shake, what a warm and cheerful welcome. According to Ms. Susilah (the center manager) she is more like a staff then an inmate, always welcoming visitors and helping everybody.

Today Ms Choo Ngay Lee looks happier, maybe Ms Susilah told her that we are coming with some surprises.

Before giving her everything, we have all the other girls sitting together to get their bracelets with initials. They were all happy to see the colorful beads, I could tell. Maya my daughter helped them to wear the bracelets on their wrist. Some gave us a big smile in return.. they are happy for sure. I am so glad I did the bracelets for them.

After some pictures taking, we have everybody including the boys to sit together for tea time. It was like big party happening! They enjoyed their cakes and drinks.

After the tea break, all of them went automatically to shower, following their daily routine. All very disciplined J. We take the chance to hold up Ms Choo to show her what I have made for her… when I opened up the box of “jewels”, she was smiling happily.. she really loves colors.. the sparkle on her face makes it obvious that she really likes. I put on one red bead necklace on her and she turns her head a bit to let me do the tying. After the necklace we try on for a her a bracelet, and so on…she got very excited to see herself all accessorized.

There were some tears in her eyes.. she probably was happily touched by the accessories she received.

I am very glad that I was able to make her smile for a moment.. a special moment.. it warmed my heart and made the day for all of us coming today to the center.

Max and Maya also enjoyed it, having tea and cakes with the big group.

We left with a happy GOOD BYE to Ms Choo and others..

The very friendly girl (Ms Lew Yoke Siam) from the beginning was the whole time during our visit and as we said good bye and she was happy to give us yet another big hand shake …

Asked about her bracelet, she proudly showed me that she kept it safely in her pocket .

Thanks to TLC Promise Me campaign for being part of this wonderful experience.

Going to fulfil Ms Choo’s wish tomorrow and making a surprise present for all the other girls at the home too =)

Thanks to Jonathan from TLC for leading us to The Handicapped and Mentally Retarded Children Centre in Ampang this afternoon.

My Pledge : to make Miss Choo Ngay Lee some colorful accessories. She is 41 years old, born on 1st April 1969. She has Down Syndrome. She always love to wear nice clothes & colourful bangles, earrings & necklaces. She wishes to get some new bangles & necklaces.

Ms Susilah, the manager of the home, told us that she has been with the centre for about 11 years. She was brought there after her mother passed away as her sisters couldn’t take care of her. One of her sisters would visit her monthly and others would visit her during festive occasions.

She is quiet by nature and often finds things to do on her own. She unfortunately cannot speak but can communicate by shaking her head and responds to basic verbal instructions.

We were told by Ms Susilah that recognizing and rehabilitating children with such illness at an early age enables them to cope better as they get older. Parents should not pamper them but rather teach them to live independently. Ms Choo came into the centre without such training and had to be assisted in bathing and putting on her own clothes. Now she is trained to live more independently and can help other inmates who are not as fortunate as her.

She has the ability to choose her own accessories and her bangles & necklaces should be as normal as possible. Ms Susilah advised us to bring her plastic jewellery which is not too tight and must be durable. Miss Choo will probably wear her accessories for special occasions when they are invited during festive seasons such as Christmas and Chinese New Year by temples and associations.
I would love to make her one bracelet that she could wear daily. But thinking about others who might get jealous. So I asked if I could make the same thing for other girls. Ms Susilah thinks it’s a good idea and she mentioned that there are 9 girls including Ms Choo ranging from 9 years to 51 years. 9 sets are really easy for me if I can make them all happy and smile for the day . And then I can make a full separate set for Ms Choo’ s function outing use.

Even if I’m busy with many things at the moment, making someone dream comes true and happy really means a lot more. So I will be starting to put things together from tomorrow onwards for the girls. To be unique for each of them, I am thinking to put each of their initial alphabets on the bracelet. That way they will not mix up and learn to recognize their own initial. It will be really meaningful.

Next week I will bring cakes and have tea with them at the center and show Ms Choo her private collection . Hope the other girls will be happy too.

To be continued …………..

hey U-jean..

thanks for the advice and comment.. yes i should address as Ms Choo with Down Sydrome instead of Down Sydrome lady.. well really i have no experience in this and not good in writing too.. but i will do my very best..

thanks for the comment..

always learn.. never stop!!!

cheers,

mel

ok.. this is my 1st blog ever.. i told Jonathan i am not good at this.. but i will do my best…. spoke to him before i left for my trip.. now that i am back.. i am thinking what can i do to make Ms Choo Ngat Lee something nice and colorful to cheer her days up??

She is 41 years old and a Dowm Syndrome lady.. she loves to dress up and match accessories.. and her wish is to have new bangles, necklaces, earrings and so on..

i have not met her yet.. but wondering if anyone could help me with giving some tips or advises on what i have to avoid when i start making them.. what is not safe for her? what would make them inspired or happy?

anyone??

thanks in advance..

cheers

mel