Kids simply love imitating the actions of people whom they look up to. Apart from parents and care-givers, it’s important that kids have role-models who are able to influence them positively.
Here’s our list of the best Singaporean role models for your kids.
#1 Lily Goh
Image credit: todayonline
Lily Goh was crowned 2014 Singapore’s Woman of the Year. Lily was deaf since the age of 2 and despite that, she co-founded ExtraOrdinary Horizons, an organisation that aims to promote arts, culture, heritage and language among the deaf in 2011.
Aside from that, she also has a band called ExtraOrdinary Percussions and in 2013, they went to Cambodia to teach music to deaf children whilst imparting knowledge and skills on entrepreneurship and performing arts.
Lily Goh proves that physical disabilities are not a form of limitation for life achievements.
#2 Darren Tan
Image credit: Straits Times
At 13, Darren was already involved in drugs, gangs and violence which eventually resulted in him earning 10 years in jail and 19 strokes of the cane. While he was in prison, he had an epiphany which led to him continuing his studies through the prisons programme and acing his A-levels.
He managed to turn his life around and was the first student with a criminal past to be accepted into National University of Singapore’s law school. Today, he works 14 to 16 hours a day handling commercial litigation, pro bono and dispute-resolution cases.
Darren Tan is a prime example on how your past doesn’t equate to your future.
#3 Laurentia Tan
Image credit: paralympic.org
Laurentia was born with Cerebal palsy and profound deafness, and was warned by doctors that she would need institutional care and might never walk again. Laurentia took up horse riding at the age of 5, despite the advice. However, horse riding was actually a form of physiotherapy to strengthen her back and muscles.
Today, Laurentia is a proud winner of 2 bronze medals at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics, and a silver and a bronze medal at the 2012 London Games. Laurentia is a true inspiration to us all, proving that limitations do not interfere with your passion.
More amazing role models on the next page!
#4 Subhas Anandan
Image credit: wikipedia
Subhas Anandan is known for being a defence lawyer to cases that other lawyers aren’t willing to take. For example, cases where he had to defend rapists and murderers. Subhas has never turned any of these cases away and is known for his straightforward and blunt arguments in court.
He was the senior partner for RHTLaw Taylor Wessing LLP, a law firm, and headed its department in criminal law. He was also the founding member and president of the Association of Criminal Lawyers of Singapore and Cuesports Singapore, the national sports association for billiards, snooker and pool. Subhas died in 2015 due to heart failure and he’s an inspiration for being someone who stands up for people, even when the whole world is against them.
#5 Jason Chee
Image credit: Straits Times
Jason lost both his legs, his left arm and 3 right fingers in 2012 after being involved in an accident on board a navy ship. Jason never allowed that to to dampen his fighting spirits. He rediscovered his love for table tennis during rehabilitation and participated in National Disability League after just three months of training with the help of Singapore Disability Sports Council.
Jason has also taken part in the 7th ASEAN Para-Games alongside fellow paddler Darren Chua and together, they secured a bronze medal in the Class 3 Table Tennis Team event.
#6 Shariff Abdullah aka SG Blade runner
Image credit: runsociety
After being born without a left foot, Shariff experienced an amputation of 5 inches off his stump. He also had a rough childhood. People would give him nicknames and no one was willing to take care of him, aside from the poor financial situation at home.
Fast forward to the 1970s, Shariff was competing in marathons, lifting weights, kayaking and trekking. He remained resilient and is currently known as Singapore’s Blade Runner. Today, Shariff is still participating in marathons not just in Singapore but also around the world.
#7 Dr Alexandre Chao
Image credit: NUH
Dr Alexandre Chao is a vascular surgeon who is known for his selfless act during the Sars epidemic that struck Singapore in 2003. He was actually on leave in the States and voluntarily cut his leave short and returned to Singapore to offer help.
As all the other surgeons fell to the disease, he was the only remaining surgeon that wasn’t infected. He answered to every call of duty and eventually, succumbed to the disease. Dr Chao will be remembered as one of the most selfless individual in Singapore.
Mummies, know any other heroes of Singapore? Share them with us!
