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Posted by theonlinecitizen on October 31, 2011
A couple of days ago, my 49-year-old mother made a phone call to SP Services as my sick grandfather received a court of summon.
Here is the story.
About three months ago, my grandfather lost unconscious and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Everyone, including the doctors thought he would not make it. He however pulled through with his sheer will power.
The hemorrhage in his brain nonetheless affected his body condition. He has mild Alzheimer’s and now has to undergo physiotherapy to regain his body’s movements.
It may sound like a typical sad old man’s story, but I am sure there are many people in Singapore who share the same fate as him.
Before my grandfather fell ill, he was just a fishmonger, at Toa Payoh wet market. After he fell ill, he could not ply his business but he still had to pay his electricity bills.
As everyone in my family was in an emotional state and was visiting him every day at Changi General Hospital, no one returned to my grandfather’s house to check his letterbox.
But when they did, when his condition improved considerably and he had moved in with my aunt, a shock waited for us in his letter-box.
My ailing 70-odd-year-old grandfather is being charged in court for owing $230 to SP Services.
Shocked and worried, my mother called SP Services the following day and asked if she can pay the amount in installments.
The customer service officer however refused demanding that my grandfather attend court, this despite my mother explaining to her about my grandfather’s medical and physical condition.
Why was not more sympathy extended towards an older man who has fallen ill?

A couple of days ago, my 49-year-old mother made a phone call to SP Services as my sick grandfather received a court of summon.
Here is the story.
About three months ago, my grandfather lost unconscious and suffered a brain hemorrhage. Everyone, including the doctors thought he would not make it. He however pulled through with his sheer will power.
The hemorrhage in his brain nonetheless affected his body condition. He has mild Alzheimer’s and now has to undergo physiotherapy to regain his body’s movements.
It may sound like a typical sad old man’s story, but I am sure there are many people in Singapore who share the same fate as him.
Before my grandfather fell ill, he was just a fishmonger, at Toa Payoh wet market. After he fell ill, he could not ply his business but he still had to pay his electricity bills.
As everyone in my family was in an emotional state and was visiting him every day at Changi General Hospital, no one returned to my grandfather’s house to check his letterbox.
But when they did, when his condition improved considerably and he had moved in with my aunt, a shock waited for us in his letter-box.
My ailing 70-odd-year-old grandfather is being charged in court for owing $230 to SP Services.
Shocked and worried, my mother called SP Services the following day and asked if she can pay the amount in installments.
The customer service officer however refused demanding that my grandfather attend court, this despite my mother explaining to her about my grandfather’s medical and physical condition.
Why was not more sympathy extended towards an older man who has fallen ill?