Goh Jia Yun, Age 20
Children with Down Syndrome typically have smaller statures, and the cheery, ever-smiling Jia Yun is no exception. As compared to other kids, children with Down Syndrome do everything a bit later on the development charts – they need to put in a little more effort, a little more time to achieve what peers of the same age can. However, it is exactly because of this that makes every milestone a cause for celebration, which is why Jia Yun’s mother was beaming with pride during the interview.
“We just received Jia Yun’s Piano Grade 1 Certificate yesterday!” she said, as she showed us the comments given by the examiner. “I was so worried because her teacher said she was not ready, but I just felt like we had to give it a try and I am glad we did.”
In fact, Jia Yun has performed on the piano at various Club Rainbow events like the Annual Party in 2016. Other than the piano, she has been developing herself in various arts genre, from playing the Cajon, hip hop dancing to playing the ukulele. Her fees for additional performing arts courses are offset using the Talent Development Fund (TDF) that she has been awarded by Club Rainbow (Singapore).
Jia Yun's mother, Madam Loo Fong Kiew, has played a huge part in her life. In 2015, she received the Exemplary Caregivers’ Award by Club Rainbow (Singapore). “I do not expect any rewards for bringing Jia Yun up, I am only trying to give her whatever I can provide her with. I want her to have a normal childhood,” says Jia Yun’s mother. “Nevertheless, this award holds a special meaning in my heart as it encourages and gives me the strength to continue this journey. It makes me feel that everything I have done for the past 18 years has been worthwhile.”
And she is completely deserving of the award. “I decided that I wanted Jia Yun to live like any other children of her age. I wanted her to study in a mainstream primary school, like everyone else.” To make it happen, Jia Yun’s mother made personal visits to many primary schools to try and gain admission. Her efforts paid off when Madam Loo managed to convince the principal of Unity Primary School to take Jia Yun in as a student. Worried for her daughter’s performance and ability to cope in school, Madam Loo decided to attend classes with Jia Yun every day for the next 6 years from the time Jia Yun was 7 to 12 years old.
“We learnt together, and studied together," she chipped in. Many people asked me, "Aren’t you tired?" And I would reply, "I count my blessings everyday. As long as I have the energy to walk, I will walk with her all the way. I don’t ask for any reward; I only wish that she will grow up as a happy child.”
However, she admitted that she was worried about Jia Yun’s future. Fortunately, Jia Yun has two elder brothers who dote on her. dearly The close-knit family just visited Kidzania at Sentosa in June 2016. “The activities there looked so fun, her elder brother asked if he could join in!” Jia Yun’s mother said with a laugh as she recalled the outing, which was organised by Club Rainbow.
The mother and daughter duo recall many memorable moments at Club Rainbow, which is not surprising since they are regulars at many Club Rainbow events.
“Jia Yun loves the activities at Club Rainbow, and I am really thankful to Club Rainbow for all it has done for us the past few years. She is especially interested in photography – I never knew that she could take photographs so well if not for the photography workshops held by Club Rainbow.”
When asked if she had any wishes for Club Rainbow on its 25th anniversary, Jia Yun responded by drawing a birthday card, filled with many stickers of Hello Kitty, her favourite cartoon character.
#Article was first published in 2017. Information was accurate at the time of writing.