Raising Hopes to Achieve Independence

Caption: With peer support, Evonne now embraces life with newfound confidence.

Two months ago, Ms Evonne Lam, 40, could only give monosyllabic responses. Born with intellectual disability, she followed a daily routine of sleeping, working, eating and watching TV. Evonne had no friends then and surrounded herself with people familiar to her. 

All that changed in March this year when she was placed in RAISE (Resilience and Abilities for Independence through Support and Empowerment), a home-based programme – by TOUCH Community Services and supported by SG Enable. The programme’s objective is to equip Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to live independently in the community. Over 20 sessions, clients are coached on targeted life skills in Activities of Daily Living, Community Living Skills or Personal Social Skills. These include meal preparation, conversational skills and making purchases in the neighbourhood. Caregivers also learn practical handles to apply in practical settings to reinforce what their loved ones have learnt.  

“As important as it is to impart independent living skills to persons with disabilities at training centres, it is just as important to have them apply those skills effectively at home and in the community. Skills are enhanced and retained when applied in real-life environments and with regular practice. SG Enable has been supporting the RAISE pilot programme and its key component in coaching caregivers and equipping them with the necessary know-how to reinforce learning at home will go a long way in empowering persons with disabilities to live more independently in the community”, says Prema Govindan, Senior Director, Disability Support & Services, SG Enable.  

Reinforcing learning at home 

“We start with training in the homes of persons with disabilities. This is where we build relationships and identify areas to be addressed. We then look at how these practical skills taught can be used beyond the home in different settings including workplaces and within the community residential facilities. For example, they are taught social cues to guide social behaviour. They also learn when and how to inform others when they are sick and where to get help, and how to navigate various places safely so that they can travel further and be exposed to new things,” says Ms Lim Si Jia, RAISE Programme Head. “ 

Caption: Learning to take public transport confidently.

Caption: Evonne (left) with life skills coach, Ms Geraldine Kwek, at a coaching session. 

Caption: Evonne (right) enjoying a communication training session.

“I was excited when I found out about RAISE. There is a limit to how much we can help Evonne. If she is stuck at home, she will watch TV, eat and sleep. What she needs is to be in the community where she can make friends and stay healthy,” says Evonne’s father, Mr Tommy Lam, 65, who became her primary caregiver when his wife passed on last year.  

Caption: Ms Lim Si Jia (left), RAISE Programme Head, updating Mr Tommy Lam (right) on Evonne’s progress.  

As an enterprising sommelier, Mr Lam has an unpredictable work schedule and frequently travels overseas for business. Hence, Evonne is mostly left at home on her own. She follows a strict routine, commuting to work in Bedok and returning to her home in Tampines. She does not cook and gets her meals delivered daily with help from her two supportive siblings who live elsewhere.   

“My wife’s passing impacted me. It was a reality check as Evonne’s future weighs heavily on my mind. I want her to be independent and not be a burden to her siblings. RAISE is timely as it addresses my concerns. The skills taught will prepare her to live independently in the community,” adds Mr Lam. 

Building courage, sustaining independence 

Under the guidance of Ms Geraldine Kwek, her lifeskills coach, who also worked closely with Mr Lam, Evonne showed remarkable progress – transforming from an introvert who hardly spoke English to a confident individual who proactively greets others with an enthusiastic smile. 

“Just imagine. It took three weeks for Evonne to learn the phrase ‘Nice to meet you’. You need lots of patience as she tends to forget easily. I also encouraged her to communicate with her family members using her handphone so that she can practise speaking confidently in English,” says Ms Kwek, who also coached Evonne on her travel routes to various destinations. “Now, she enjoys sending her recorded greeting messages through WhatsApp to her family members.”  

A breakthrough came when Evonne attended the yearly camp organised by TOUCH Special Needs Group together with 13 other trainees with intellectual disability. During the camp, Evonne spoke confidently in English, made many friends and even volunteered to help them. 

Caption: All cheers for Evonne’s successful completion of the RAISE programme.

Caption: Mr Lam applying tips learnt to reinforce learning at home. 

Caption: Mr Lam looks on as Evonne does her laundry independently.

Caption: With RAISE, Mr Lam now enjoys peace of mind.

“I was so surprised to learn that my daughter went rock climbing at the camp! She had the courage to interact with others and befriended her best friend Germaine. She even helped her friends set their alarm clocks for two nights. She enjoyed the camp so much that she exclaimed excitedly ‘One more day!’” says Mr Lam beaming with pride. 

Caption: Evonne (in blue) learning the ropes of rock climbing.

Caption: Evonne breaking new grounds.

These days, Evonne prefers to buy her own meals from the nearby coffeeshop so she gets to choose what she wants to eat. “She can even order ‘kway chap’ and tell the hawker what ingredients she wants,” Mr Lam adds. With increased confidence, Evonne can now tell her hairstylist how short she wants her hair cut and finds it easier to visit the hair salon.

“TOUCH has done so much for us and I hope to give back to society. Evonne is already in her 40s and this is her prime time to learn and give. If she is able to live independently in the community and is socially connected, she can enjoy a better quality of life,” says Mr Lam.   

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About RAISE Programme  

A pilot initiative by TOUCH Community Services and supported by SG Enable, RAISE (Resilience and Abilities for Independence through Support and Empowerment) aims to equip Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) to live independently in the community.  Leveraging TOUCH’s three decades of special needs expertise, RAISE is a holistic, home-based customised training programme conducted by a team of social workers and experienced life skills coaches. The programme is aligned with the 2030 Enabling Masterplan to enable PwDs to acquire essential life skills, alleviate caregiver stress and attain a better quality of life. Over a duration of 20 sessions, PwDs who are aged 18 to 64, learn essential life skills for daily living, community living or personal and social well-being.  These skills are meant to reduce the risk of regression and increase community integration of PwDs. Caregivers are also updated on skills taught and learn practical handles to reinforce learning.  For enquiries on RAISE, please contact tcs.raise@touch.org.sg or visit RAISE.  

Story published in 2024 .