I don't post much so I am still not your typical blogger. I suppose the usefulness of this site is to allow those who want the pdf version of Face to Face with Cancer to be able to get it from here after the other website was shut down.
Along the way, I hope you will have a chance to read my regular column in The Star that basically takes a heart-and-soul approach to the daily issues in life.
I count my blessings each day.
God Bless You.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
My Monday fans...
Every now and then, the editorial artist, Hassan, gives my regular column on Monday a lift, with his excellent cartoons. Like this one which appeared this Monday when I wrote about smartphones.I got an interesting response from a reader, who is blind, and who enlightened me about how the iPhone is such a fantastic tool for the visually impaired.
He wrote:
Dear Mr. Soo,
I enjoyed reading your column today, Monday starters.Yes, I do agree that there is no finality to technology and, in this particular case , the rapid everyday technological advances for smartphones. It is certainly `cool' to be seen with a iPhone, Blackberry or any other up-to-date expensive touch screen smartphones today.
You wrote: "The problem with all these fancy gadgets is that we are thrilled initially as we try out everything and anything available. But eventually, we only use a smartphone, well, as a phone.".. Here, I beg to differ and offer my own personal views from a blind person's perspective.
The iPhone 3Gs smartphone, probably, the most accessible smartphone ever developed by Apple to date which I believe, will and/or perhaps, has started enhancing and empowering the independence of many blind/visually impaired citizens around the globe. The iPhone 3Gs is truly an amazing gadget, an assistive communication tool which many blind/visually impaired persons will benefit from the several built in accessible technological features that comes with the smartphone when one takes it out from the box. There is no further need to install a screen reader software, for example, the Talks Nuance software, required to be installed in other smartphones with symbiom operating platforms, before any blind/visually impaired persons could be able to start communicating with others.
I, for one, do not leave home without my iPhone and my white cane!The iPhone, with the built in voice over feature, allows me to make/receive calls, reading text messages, composing/replying text messages, read/reply my emails and surf the internet too whilst having tea/coffee at the many wi-fi eateries or have the 3G network enabled now and then.
There are several apps from the iStore that I could download for free or could be purchased at a nominal price and what is marvellous is, most of the apps are accessible to the blind/visually impaired. At a touch or a flick of my fingers, I too, could easily check the local weather, stock market report, connect to skype and facebook, etc. The iPhone 3Gs has the gesture based features built in, allows me to use the iPhone by tapping my fingers around the phone screen to navigate, scroll and open the links, etc despite the fact there is no physical buttons. The only button is the Home button. Another feature, the built in digital compass, this helps me to check my bearings and orientation now and then. I am searching and looking forward to download a suitable accessible and blind friendly GPS program withlocal maps , walking with turn by turn features that speaks and this will assist me to walk about independently!
BTW, the STAR newspaper is the most accessible local online media!
Cheers and Smiles... YAM Tong Woo
Thank You, Sir.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Home for the Chinese New Year
It's been some years since I spent Chinese New Year in my hometown. But this year, our family took the bus home on the first day to Penang, avoiding the crowd that made its way there much earlier. It was a pleasant ride home.
We spent four days in Penang, catching up mainly with family. Mum was very happy to see us. Although she is now in her 80s, she is healthy and able to remember most things. We had a little family get-together and it was great to see so many people show up.
On the way home, I thank God for blessing me with a great family. There is much LOVE in the air.
We spent four days in Penang, catching up mainly with family. Mum was very happy to see us. Although she is now in her 80s, she is healthy and able to remember most things. We had a little family get-together and it was great to see so many people show up.
On the way home, I thank God for blessing me with a great family. There is much LOVE in the air.
Friday, February 5, 2010
World Cancer Day - A Reflection
As Feb 4 was World Cancer Day, let’s take a look at the term cancer survivor, which has taken on a broader meaning these days, and is often used to include the caregivers and family members.
By SOO EWE JIN
SOMEWHERE in Istanbul, a four-year-old boy with leukaemia is bringing much joy to his parents because of his bright and cheerful nature. They see much hope despite the difficult situation. We connect by email now and then, just to share and encourage one another.
A new-found friend told me he was diagnosed with cancer at a time when he was still recovering from the loss of his teenage daughter in a traffic accident.
Life’s tough, he said, but we have to move on. I visited him at the oncology ward, supposedly to encourage him, and left feeling much blessed.
Another two friends had cancer scares in recent months, but subsequent tests revealed that the tumours had disappeared. They do not know each other, but I received their wonderful news half an hour apart.
When one has been through a cancer journey, such stories are not rare. I have lost many friends to cancer, but their amazing stories of hope in despair never fail to lift me up.
And many who have conquered cancer are out there doing their part to educate and encourage others on the same journey.
The Star’s Fit for Life section has been a treasure trove of good and informative stories about the Big C, especially those written by medical specialists,
But in reality, those going through cancer interact more with ordinary people than they do with the doctors.
The term cancer survivor has taken on a broader meaning these days, and is often used to include the caregivers, family members, and even people working in cancer-care organisations, like Hospis.
So, as we celebrate World Cancer Day (Feb 4), I would like to share some lessons that hopefully can benefit us when someone close to us has to go through a cancer journey.
> If you are not a doctor, and especially if you do not know anything about cancer, please do not give medical advice.
Not only do I not give medical advice, but I also take care not to overly share my own experiences because we know every patient is different, not only by way of temperament, but also in the way he or she reacts to the treatment.
> I find that I often have to help people debunk the myths. I tell them not to listen to the horror stories of people who were there years ago.
A problem that all cancer patients face is that the moment the Big C is mentioned, everyone will have a horror story to share, a supplement to recommend, an alternative cure to promote, and a doctor to criticise. Such unsolicited advice can confuse, depress and disturb. Let us be careful how we give advice.
> I have learnt, through many trials and errors, that at a time when someone is facing a problem, the last thing he wants to hear is another person’s problem.
Do take note that when you visit a cancer patient, make the person you visit the most important person for the moment. There is no need to tell him about another person’s problem.
> Rather than dispense advice, the best thing you could do for a cancer patient is to simply be there. If we are the person with whom someone wants to share his burden, let’s learn to keep our mouth shut and our ears open. Let’s just be there to hold their hands.
> Practical help, often behind the scenes, is the most useful. Help with transport, help with the cooking, take the patient’s children out. Share your CD and DVD collections with patients.
> Remember the caregiver. I remember how happy my wife was when a friend came by not only to give me my fruits, but to also give her a pack of essence of chicken and a bouquet of flowers.
Take the caregiver out to a meal or to a movie, or even for a walk in the park. Remember the caregiver, not just the patient.
> And finally, as we live through such tumultous times when irresponsible elements are playing up racial and religious differences, take a trip to the oncology wards, and be encouraged by how Malaysians from all walks of life relate to one another in love and harmony.
I have shared this before but let me share it again: One day, I was visiting the oncology ward and saw three women – a Malay, a Chinese, and an Indian – reading the little book, Face to Face with Cancer, which I had written with my wife about my journey with the Big C.
The nurses excitedly told them that I was the author because I was quite bald at the time, having just completed my own chemotherapy, and they did not recognise me.
The Malay lady smiled at me and, waving the book, said, “Your Tuhan is very good!”
Yes, I replied, and He loves all of you too. And in solidarity with me, they removed their wigs and we had a good laugh.
> Deputy executive editor Soo Ewe Jin, like all cancer survivors, is thankful for the many blessings in his life, especially being a Malaysian where we can celebrate our differences and still be united as one.
This article appears in The Sunday Star on Feb 7.
By SOO EWE JIN
SOMEWHERE in Istanbul, a four-year-old boy with leukaemia is bringing much joy to his parents because of his bright and cheerful nature. They see much hope despite the difficult situation. We connect by email now and then, just to share and encourage one another.
A new-found friend told me he was diagnosed with cancer at a time when he was still recovering from the loss of his teenage daughter in a traffic accident.
Life’s tough, he said, but we have to move on. I visited him at the oncology ward, supposedly to encourage him, and left feeling much blessed.
Another two friends had cancer scares in recent months, but subsequent tests revealed that the tumours had disappeared. They do not know each other, but I received their wonderful news half an hour apart.
When one has been through a cancer journey, such stories are not rare. I have lost many friends to cancer, but their amazing stories of hope in despair never fail to lift me up.
And many who have conquered cancer are out there doing their part to educate and encourage others on the same journey.
The Star’s Fit for Life section has been a treasure trove of good and informative stories about the Big C, especially those written by medical specialists,
But in reality, those going through cancer interact more with ordinary people than they do with the doctors.
The term cancer survivor has taken on a broader meaning these days, and is often used to include the caregivers, family members, and even people working in cancer-care organisations, like Hospis.
So, as we celebrate World Cancer Day (Feb 4), I would like to share some lessons that hopefully can benefit us when someone close to us has to go through a cancer journey.
> If you are not a doctor, and especially if you do not know anything about cancer, please do not give medical advice.
Not only do I not give medical advice, but I also take care not to overly share my own experiences because we know every patient is different, not only by way of temperament, but also in the way he or she reacts to the treatment.
> I find that I often have to help people debunk the myths. I tell them not to listen to the horror stories of people who were there years ago.
A problem that all cancer patients face is that the moment the Big C is mentioned, everyone will have a horror story to share, a supplement to recommend, an alternative cure to promote, and a doctor to criticise. Such unsolicited advice can confuse, depress and disturb. Let us be careful how we give advice.
> I have learnt, through many trials and errors, that at a time when someone is facing a problem, the last thing he wants to hear is another person’s problem.
Do take note that when you visit a cancer patient, make the person you visit the most important person for the moment. There is no need to tell him about another person’s problem.
> Rather than dispense advice, the best thing you could do for a cancer patient is to simply be there. If we are the person with whom someone wants to share his burden, let’s learn to keep our mouth shut and our ears open. Let’s just be there to hold their hands.
> Practical help, often behind the scenes, is the most useful. Help with transport, help with the cooking, take the patient’s children out. Share your CD and DVD collections with patients.
> Remember the caregiver. I remember how happy my wife was when a friend came by not only to give me my fruits, but to also give her a pack of essence of chicken and a bouquet of flowers.
Take the caregiver out to a meal or to a movie, or even for a walk in the park. Remember the caregiver, not just the patient.
> And finally, as we live through such tumultous times when irresponsible elements are playing up racial and religious differences, take a trip to the oncology wards, and be encouraged by how Malaysians from all walks of life relate to one another in love and harmony.
I have shared this before but let me share it again: One day, I was visiting the oncology ward and saw three women – a Malay, a Chinese, and an Indian – reading the little book, Face to Face with Cancer, which I had written with my wife about my journey with the Big C.
The nurses excitedly told them that I was the author because I was quite bald at the time, having just completed my own chemotherapy, and they did not recognise me.
The Malay lady smiled at me and, waving the book, said, “Your Tuhan is very good!”
Yes, I replied, and He loves all of you too. And in solidarity with me, they removed their wigs and we had a good laugh.
> Deputy executive editor Soo Ewe Jin, like all cancer survivors, is thankful for the many blessings in his life, especially being a Malaysian where we can celebrate our differences and still be united as one.
This article appears in The Sunday Star on Feb 7.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
The power of an encouraging word
I love the Irish. They have a nice way of blessing people. This is one of my favourite Irish blessings:
An Old Irish Blessing
An Old Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I often use it when saying goodbye to friends, who are leaving for greener pastures, at home or abroad.
An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
This one, I often share, when I am at a loss for words to encourage someone going through a trial.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
I often use it when saying goodbye to friends, who are leaving for greener pastures, at home or abroad.
An Irish Prayer
May God give you...
For every storm, a rainbow,
For every tear, a smile,
For every care, a promise,
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song,
And an answer for each prayer.
This one, I often share, when I am at a loss for words to encourage someone going through a trial.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Turning 50, singing The Young Once
We had a nice party at our house to celebrate my turning 50 on Sept 25. Getting old. Mainly members of the care group, family and close friends, came. We ate, reflected, and sang two songs, "It Only Takes A Spark" and "The Young Ones" (more appropriately titled The Young Once. Thank God for His many blessings in our life.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Old friends...
The Internet is truly a powerful tool to reconnect with old friends. Last week, a teacher from my primary school days, now in Perth, Australia, sent me an email. He taught me in 1970 and had a powerful impression on me. We stayed in touch through the years and would exchange Chinese New Year cards. It was after I moved to the capital in the 1980s that I lost touch with him. So it wa such a pleasant surprise to hear from him and pleased that he had been following my career and life stories all this while. I immediately put him in touch with the bunch of us from that school who are still in touch with one another.
And then, another mail came. This time from a classmate whom we had been trying to locate all these years. As far as we know, he was the only one from our batch to become a policeman, although all of us, at one point or another, yearned to be a cop. He had been transferred to various stations throughout the country and recently got posted back to PJ.
We will have a lot of catching up to do. :)
And then, another mail came. This time from a classmate whom we had been trying to locate all these years. As far as we know, he was the only one from our batch to become a policeman, although all of us, at one point or another, yearned to be a cop. He had been transferred to various stations throughout the country and recently got posted back to PJ.
We will have a lot of catching up to do. :)
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