2007 is a year of great challenge for the Society. We co-hosted with National Neuroscience Institute, the 6th International Symposium of the Asian and Pacific Parkinson’s Disease, from 20-22 October at the Suntec International Convention and Exhibition Centre. It was well attended by over 500 delegates from the Asian-Pacific region. The symposium was catered especially for patients, caregivers, nurses, therapists and allied health professionals to help enrich the lives of patients under the theme “Empowering lives, Enhancing Care”  

To celebrate World Parkinson’s Day 2007, the Society organized a field trip for 70 members to the frog farm on 14 April. This was followed by shopping and lunch.

As our Society was one of the beneficiaries of the President’s Star Charity 2007, we were privileged to be selected by Hewlett Packard to benefit from their community outreach programme. On 16 Nov, they hosted more than 70 Society members to a wonderful outing to the Chinese Gardens. There were more then a  hundred volunteers who gave individual care and attention to our members. The group was treated to lunch. The volunteers entertained the crowd by singing, dancing and playing of games. Many walked away with prizes donated by Hewlett Packard.

On 1st Dec about 20 people from the Society comprising patients and caregivers were given a free Tuina (acupressure massage) session by a group of Chinese physicians. 

Dr Goh Poh Seng, a writer and poet was invited to 2007 Singapore Writer’s Festival. A medical doctor, he also suffers from Parkinson Disease. On 19 Dec, Dr Goh and his wife Margaret met with about 50 patients and caregivers to share their experiences as patient and caregiver respectively. They inspired many present that day.

The PDSS website, 4 monthly newsletter, monthly support group meetings at NNI(TTSH) and SGH, and traveling exhibitions are some of the avenues of our reaching out to patients and caregivers to provide support and share with them updated information of the illness and activities of the Society.

On behalf of the Society I want to record our thanks and appreciation to NNI for providing secretariat services to the Society for the past few years.  Our Secretariat is now housed at:

This move signifies a start of a new life for the Society. In conjuncture with this, we launch our new logo in 2008. This is adapted from the previous logo to give a fresher and brighter look. We want to do more for the Society. To do this, we appeal for more volunteers to come forth.

I am very happy to report that the financial position is rather healthy.

It is with sadness that I have to report the passing on of one of our Committee Members, Dr Low Wing Kee in Oct 2007. He was very supportive of the Society. Despite his medical condition, he is always present in many of our events. He will remain in our hearts.

In closing, I wish to express my appreciation to my fellow committee members and volunteers for their dedication and hard work and to the hospitals, National Neuroscience Institute, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore General Hospital and Changi General Hospital for use of the premises all these years, auditor PMK Medora for their services, sponsors, donors and Society members for their support.

 

Ms Julie Lau
President
Parkinson’s Disease Society Singapore

10 May 2008