I APPLAUD Dr Lee Wei Ling's call for more nursing homes to be built for the disabled whose ageing parents are unable to look after them ('Don't salvage lives that will weigh on family'; ST, Sept 15).
It shows her sympathy for the suffering and hardship of the many disabled patients and their families who have come her way.
However, I am appalled by her contention that society should not salvage lives that will weigh on family and society.
Her assertion, being at variance with the sanctity of human life both inside and outside the womb, stems undoubtedly from her soft nature, overwhelmed as she clearly is to see the suffering of her many disabled patients and the financial plight of their families.
In suggesting that society should not salvage lives that will weigh on family and society, Dr Lee is a short step away from proposing that society should not salvage the lives of those among us who may become comatose, paralysed, senile or even elderly, as they will, perforce, weigh on family and society. This surely cannot be her intention.
On a personal note, I was born, the last of eight children, with both my upper limbs defective, when my mother was 44 years old and my father, 56. My fists were clenched tightly, like a boxer's. My parents loved me no less, if not more, than my siblings. Drawn closer by a mutual hope for my future well-being, they supported one another as my mother set about remoulding my hands. The midwife who tended to my birth also strengthened my mother's resolve, assuring her that all would be well.
With extreme patience and care born of maternal love, my mother slowly prised open my fingers for me to be able to write, type, play table tennis, and even do weight-lifting and drive a car.
I attended Anglo-Chinese School, graduated with honours in political science from the then University of Singapore, and was the deputy director of the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau and head, enforcement and administration, in the then Building and Development Control Division, among other Civil Service positions. I have also been active in social and church work.
There is a saying that it is better to set free 99 suspected criminals than to convict one innocent man. In the same vein, it is better to salvage 99 defective lives that will weigh on family and society than to kill one, on account of misplaced sympathy. Indeed, we should salvage all 100 lives, for human life is sacred.
Dr Lee's plea that a few million dollars be spared to build nursing homes for the disabled whose parents (or guardians) are unable to look after them speaks volumes of her deep interest in the welfare of the disadvantaged disabled and their families.
It is a timely call to the Government for the needy disabled and their families not to be further marginalised. Additionally, more support and financial help should be given directly to the disabled and their families to alleviate their hardship.
Yap Swee Hoo
First Published: Sep 20, 2006, In Forum section, Straits Times, Salvage all lives, even if they weigh on family
