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Helping. This is what it is all about.
Translated by A Friend--1 June 2012 《新明日报》
MP SENG HAN THONG HELPED LADY WITH SKIN DISORDER. FLAT CHANGED FROM 3-ROOM TO 4-ROOM TO REDUCE INFECTION RISK.
The family of a lady suffering from a skin disorder causing dry, scaly skin, was assisted by MP Seng Han Thong to change from their 3-room HDB flat to a 4-room one in order to reduce the risk of infection to her. Seng Han Thong was the former editor-in-chief of this newspaper.
21-year-old female Huang Bao Ping was diagnosed since birth with a rare congenital ichthyosis, which causes body surface cracks, with crusty layers kept peeling off. Since this was reported by this newspapers years back, kind-hearted people have contributed generously, within $290,000 raised in just one month’s time. The family kept $160,000 and donated the rest of the money to other charity organizations.
Huang Bao Ping's father (52 years) said in an interview that he has been hoping to move to a larger flat since five years ago. But due to constraints in affordability and regulations, he was not able to fulfil this wish.
“My first house applied was a 4-room HDB flat, and I have sold it and downgraded to a 3-room HDB flat to support Bao Ping’s medical expenses. Now if I were to apply for a new flat, I need to upgrade to a 5-room flat due to the policy. But we cannot afford a 5-room flat,” he said. With the intervention by Seng HT, he succeeded in his appeal to HDB to be allowed to apply for a 4-room flat instead.
When interviewed, Seng HT said that the family has suffered a lot in providing medical care for their daughter and he was very touched. “Bao Ping is now 21. To reduce the risk of infection to her, and with two younger brother and sister living together, the family needs another extra room.”
Seng HT said that the Wong family who shifted house thrice reflects a self-reliant family who was able to overcome difficulties through the help of kind people in our community and the exercising of flexibility in policies.
“HDB has shown to be compassionate in approving the Wong family’s appeal to acquire a 4-room flat, instead of insisting to abide by the policy,” Seng HT added. “In addition, from the earlier diagnosis that Bao Ping wouldn’t be able to live long, until her ability to work using iPad, it also showed that there is still love and compassion among our people in our highly-developed Singapore.”
