Speech By Mr Chan Soo Sen, Parliamentary Secretary (Prime Minister’s Office & Ministry Of Community Development), At The White Cane Day 1998 Celebration On Saturday 17 Oct 1998, 2.00 Pm At 47 Toa Payoh Rise

3 The visually handicapped student from Hong Kong was an undergraduate like me. He was reading Physics under a special scholarship awarded by Oxford University to outstanding foreign students who could not pursue studies in their own countries for various reasons. His vision was not totally impaired, and he could see some silhouettes in bright light. So his room had very light curtains, and he would leave his room lights on when he was in. His room was just opposite mine across the quadrangle. So I could see his lights were on before I woke up, and remained on even when I went to sleep. He told me he needed more time to study, but that he was able to devote more time as there were fewer distractions. In examinations, he was given two concessions: the privilege of doing examination questions in his room, and a little extra time so that questions could be read to him. He would type out his answers, and would always score First Class Honours in examinations. He was not just a bookworm. Indeed he was an active and well-balanced person with wide interests. During vacations, he would travel around Britain and to Europe. He could describe in detail the scenery though he could not see. In campus, he was very independent and hardly asked for help. He walked around looking perfertly normal, and used his collapsible white cane only when he was crossing the road. I understand he is now a Physics professor at Oxford.

4 Both men inspired me with their zest to lead normal lives, and their determination to achieve excellence. There was a very strong sense of dignity, never a sense of self-pity, or a feeling that the society must give handouts and provide for all their needs. At the same time, the rest of the community accepted them as full-fledged members, and realised that they also had high aspirations and gave them opportunities to achieve their potentials. With the acceptance and support by the society, and their own tenacity and determination, disabled persons can contribute to the development of the society at large.

5 Here in Singapore, we also have our own fine examples of visually handicapped persons who have the same high aspirations. A recent story in Weekend East (25 Sep 1998) about Miss Penny Chong, an undergraduate at the National University of Singapore, is one of them. Miss Chong never allowed her visual handicap to prevent her from striving for better results. She said, "There is no short cut to success and I know I have to put in more effort because I am handicapped". Miss Chong is not only academically brilliant, she is also very independent and finds her way around campus on her own with the help of her cane. Another person featured in the same story was Mr Andrew Chew who graduated from the NUS with an Honours degree in History. Mr Chew was praised as a brilliant and diligent student by his lecturers. Their stories inspire both the visually handicapped and normal persons alike.

8 Finally, I would like to convey my warmest wishes on the White Cane Day. The white cane has helped visually handicapped people achieve independence and mobility. New technology will further assist them. But nothing can replace the fighting spirit and determination of the visually handicapped, and the acceptance and support of the community at large. Let us work together to overcome obstacles and strive for even greater heights.

Thank you.