Daily Lessons from Life 23 January 2014 - She shoots for her dream

Volunteer Work: Went to Assumption English School this morning to present a short speech on 'Many Dreams ONE Aspiration - Believing' for a young friend's Career Camp program. There was another young Social Entrepreneur there as well. It was educational for me as well as inspirational to hear the story and journey of this young man. Hopefully I have also contributed some sparks that ignite the 133 students from Sec 4 and Sec 5 to think, or to start to think, deeper and harder about their Dream career. :-)

So, it is NO surprise that I picked the following news headline to comment today. Co-incident or just destiny? You tell me! :-):-)

"She shoots for her dream - The New Paper Wednesday, Jan 22, 2014

SINGAPORE - Pint-sized and light as a feather, Miss Isabelle Lim looks much younger than her 20 years.

Diagnosed from birth with a rare condition called Nager syndrome, she has an underdeveloped face, hands and arms. As a result, she is deaf and relies on sign language to communicate. But her small size belies her resilience and ambition.

The first-year student at Lasalle College of the Arts hopes to become an outstanding photographer one day. And she may well be on her way to realising her dream. She clinched the Lasalle Dare To Dream Scholarship two months ago, which is awarded to students with special needs.

Miss Lim, who is pursuing a diploma in fine arts, is the first recipient of the scholarship. Miss Lim carries her bulky camera everywhere despite her size. Her favourite subject is the elderly."I can't explain why, but I like their expressions. I can sense their emotions, and it is interesting to me," she said.

Miss Lim is now thriving in her new environment at Lasalle. Said Diploma Level 1 programme lecturer Sawn Hwang: "Isabelle has integrated well into the Diploma Level 1 programme, and is a friendly, well-liked member of the cohort." We are very pleased with her attitude, diligence and progress, and there is every indication that she will continue to do well in her pursuits at Lasalle."

At Lasalle, Miss Lim relies on an interpreter who sits in with her during her classes to help her understand the lessons. Sometimes, her mother, who has learnt sign language, attends classes with her.

"She has been a very brave child and never gave us a hard time although it (the operations) could have been traumatic."The first few years were challenging. But we decided on the day she was born that we would love her for who she is, and raise her as best as we can," said her father, Mr Nick Lim."

I don't have to elaborate on Miss Lim's journey. The lessons I learned from her story are:

1. the tough gets going when the going gets tough! This is how this young lady has demonstrated! Immense courage, resilience and hardwork personified. Someone definitely worthy of my respect!;

2. her parents are marvelous parents with such love, dedication and resilience and courage too! In fact, it is probably from them that this young lady has learned not to make a meal out of the unfairness life had thrown her way but to get the best out of the worst situation! Only when the parents have so much love will they be able to deal with the tremendous challenges of raising a child with special needs!;

3. kudos to LaSalle for encouraging and supporting such student with special needs AND talent/interest/passion! Making it easier for Miss Lim to learn is commendable. She is putting in lots of hardwork for sure. When the environment, the people surrounding her are of the nurturing sort will she grows even faster, better and stronger!

I like this news story a lot as ALL the parties involved are putting their best into this. An inspirational story from Miss Lim, her parents and the school and the teachers and everyone that touch her life! I SALUTE all of you!!