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Raymond Anthony Fernando selected as “Model Caregiver
for the year 2007”!
The Asian Women’s Welfare Association (AWWA) Centre for Caregivers
has chosen Raymond Anthony Fernando as the winner of the Model Caregiver
for the year 2007.
Through this
award, AWWA Centre for Caregivers hopes to provide a role model to inspire
others in the giving of time and effort to bring a higher level of caregiving
in our community. This award, which carried a prize of $1,500, a beautiful
plaque and a meal voucher for 2 was presented to Raymond Anthony Fernando
on Saturday 29th September 2007 from the Guest of Honour, Mr Abdullah
Tarmugi, Speaker of Parliament at the launch of Caregivers’ Week
Ceremony in the Toa Payoh Hub.
The award
was given to Raymond for his dedication and commitment to caring for his
wife who has Schizophrenia for 32 years. Raymond has looked after his
wife as the solitary caregiver and has managed to help her in her recovery
and even managed to turn her into an author of 2 cookbooks.
Raymond gave
up his 31-year career in the media industry in 2001 to care fulltime for
his wife, Doris Lau Siew Lang. He is the author of several books, including
his best seller, “ Loving a Schizophrenic”. This novel details
his 30-year journey in caring for his wife since she was struck by the
illness at the tender age of 17.
Despite the
huge challenges Raymond faces in looking after his wife, he volunteers
to teach poetry to teenagers with Celebral palsy at the Celebral Palsy
Centre in Pasir Ris. He was brought in by YMCA to undertake this task.
Raymond is also a volunteer with the Singapore Association for Mental
Health (SAMH). He has given talks at more than 30 places, including schools
and government departments in Singapore to help raise more awareness of
Schizophrenia and depression.
TO VIEW PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE “MODEL CAREGIVER
AWARD”, CLICK HERE
| Testimony
to Raymond by Ms Rajeswari K, Executive Director of SAMH |
| “
I am pleased to write a testimony for Mr. Raymond Anthony Fernando
who is the author of the book,” Loving a Schizophrenic.”
This story is based on a true account of his wife’s recovery
from a major mental illness - schizophrenia. It documents a painful
and insightful sharing of his life experience from a caregiver’s
as well as an observer’s perspective. The details in his book
highlight the challenges that he faced in the journey of supporting
a loved one’s recovery from mental illness. He has been sharing
his story in helping others in similar situations. Mr. Fernando has
been consistently and staunchly been advocating for better care for
people suffering from mental illness through various means. He has
helped his wife publish her own book entitled, “ Cook with love
– a collection of easy-to-cook local recipes”. He has published
several books to his credit, namely, “ Poems from the Heart”,
“Feelings- a collection of heartfelt poems”, “ Mambo
Jumbo with Fernando”, among others. Raymond’s desire and
unflagging efforts to share his story, help others and advocating
for better treatment for persons with mental illness is impressive.”
Ms
Rajeswari K
Executive
Director
Singapore
Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
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| Testimonies
to Raymond Anthony Fernando's best selling book, "Loving a Schizophrenic"
"This
book is a moving and inspiring account of the difficulties and setbacks
faced by a couple struggling with Schizophrenia. It is wonderful
to learn that 'Daniel and Soo Mei' manage to overcome the many challenges
they face and continue to enjoy a strong and loving relationship.
This book gives hope to the thousands of others who suffer from
Schizophrenia, and encourages them to fight and overcome the stigma
and disability brought on by mental illness."
Dr
Chua Hong Choon
Consultant Psychiatrist, & Chief of General Psychiatry 1 &
2,
Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
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| "What
moved me most about Raymond's book was his unfaultering devotion to
Doris, even when her schizophrenia was doing its upmost to tear them
apart. He is candid about the struggles, the shocks and the suffering
both have had to endure. Even though the illness that robbed Doris
of her mind is ever present in their lives, Raymond shows that nothing
can stand in the way of his love for his wife. What more touching
a tribute to that love than putting it all into words? "Loving
a Schizophrenic" is more than a love story but rather a support
manual for all caregivers who also share their lives with mental illness."
Ms
Elaine Moira Young
Journalist
The Straits Times
Singapore
Press Holdings Limited
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"This
book is opportune. It is a poignant and deeply moving account about
what true love is all about. It demonstrates how the support and courage
of a loving husband, who dares to confront all odds including sociocultural
barriers, can be that powerful impetus to restore meaning and hope
to Soo Mei's fragile and vulnerable life. I'm deeply inspired. I trust
that this wonderful life story will change your world view of mental
illness, just as it has changed mine. More importantly, it should
challenge all of us to dare to come forward to accept, respect and
support those who are stricken with a mental condition. This is what
humanity and hope is all about".
Ms Pauline Tan
Director Nursing (Institute of Mental Health)
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"Loving
a Schizophrenic" depicts unconditional love and resilience in
great extent, a motivational book to give strength to people who are
in similar plight and an educational book to professionals in helping
industries."
Ms Ong Choon Ming
Head Occupational Therapist
Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH)
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"This
book is a testimony of Raymond's courage and perseverance in the face
of adversity. His inspirational story is truly a "must-read"
for all."
Mayank Parekh
Director, Human Resources
Merial Asia Pte Ltd
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Raymond
has been an avid writer, loving husband for his wife with Schizophrenia,
Above that he actively advocates for public to understand about the
illness, the person suffering from the illness, and instill hope in
patients and caregivers. THIS book will increase understanding this
illness and the help available at all levels by everyone in our society
Dr Alex Su
Consultant Psychiatrist
Head Emergency Service
Institute of Mental Health (IMH)
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Raymond,
“Loving a Schizophrenic” touched me deeply, as it gives
a human face to sufferers of an ailment usually shrouded in shame
and silence. I admire your commitment to each other, and your eventual
courage in sharing your story with others. For me, your story was
not so much to elicit sympathy for yourselves, but was an effort
to raise awareness among those of us who may be ignorant, indifferent
or biased towards the mentally ill. Your story spoke of God’s
love, human compassion, hope and even humour in the midst of despair.
May
God bless you in your very real struggle with His overcoming love,
joy, and rewards beyond measure.
Ms
Phyllis H S Tan
Executive
Director & Chief Executive Officer
Metropolitan YMCA
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Disclaimer:
Readers should not regard the treatments and medications described in
my novel as well as in this website, as medical advice. Please consult
professional medical help for your symptoms.
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