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- Dec 30, 2010
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But let us recognise this: Ravi's condition is a medical one. And when he falls ill, just as all of us do from time to time, he needs medical treatment and rest.
At such times, let his friends and supporters not turn his distress into a political event. Those who recommend Ravi's absence from court for him to seek treatment may not necessarily be wishing him ill and those who are treating him are not his enemies.
Let us also not defend or even praise Ravi's inappropriate behaviour when he is undergoing a manic episode and use him as a political football. Rather, let us treat him as we would treat a brother.
On the other hand, Ravi's detractors, no matter how much you may disagree with his legal views and actions, should not ridicule him for his behaviour and poke fun at his medical condition. There is no honour in attacking a man when he is at his most vulnerable.
Do we laugh at a cancer patient who looks strange because he lost all his hair after undergoing therapy? Do we mock the elderly for soiling their garments because they are incontinent? Do we ridicule the autistic child whose utterances and physical movement we may find odd?
As they say in football parlance: Play the ball, not the man.
What Ravi – and, for that matter, anyone who is similarly afflicted – needs is medical attention and the sooner he receives it, the better it is for him and for our community. With a strong and supportive social network, Ravi can function and contribute positively to Singapore, as he has all these years.
Let us give him the space that he needs while he is going through a difficult period: keep the cameras away and the interviews at bay. Let us get him back on his feet again so that he can be the Ravi that we have all come to know and respect. And yes, love.
- http://yoursdp.org/news/2012-07-24-5269
At such times, let his friends and supporters not turn his distress into a political event. Those who recommend Ravi's absence from court for him to seek treatment may not necessarily be wishing him ill and those who are treating him are not his enemies.
Let us also not defend or even praise Ravi's inappropriate behaviour when he is undergoing a manic episode and use him as a political football. Rather, let us treat him as we would treat a brother.
On the other hand, Ravi's detractors, no matter how much you may disagree with his legal views and actions, should not ridicule him for his behaviour and poke fun at his medical condition. There is no honour in attacking a man when he is at his most vulnerable.
Do we laugh at a cancer patient who looks strange because he lost all his hair after undergoing therapy? Do we mock the elderly for soiling their garments because they are incontinent? Do we ridicule the autistic child whose utterances and physical movement we may find odd?
As they say in football parlance: Play the ball, not the man.
What Ravi – and, for that matter, anyone who is similarly afflicted – needs is medical attention and the sooner he receives it, the better it is for him and for our community. With a strong and supportive social network, Ravi can function and contribute positively to Singapore, as he has all these years.
Let us give him the space that he needs while he is going through a difficult period: keep the cameras away and the interviews at bay. Let us get him back on his feet again so that he can be the Ravi that we have all come to know and respect. And yes, love.
- http://yoursdp.org/news/2012-07-24-5269
