| Press Release (04 March 2009) |
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ADVENTURE 200 Singapore1 Person, 1Metre, 1 Dollar, 1 at a time... is all it takes.For many who have travelled round Singapore, this is quite a simple task which tends to be taken for granted. But for a person with multiple medical conditions, this is a big challenge. Wheelchair user, Dennis Kweh has decided to take on the challenge to travel 200km within 3 days around Singapore."The mettle of a human being lies not in its physical shell, but in its inner strength. The human spirit is so great that when we put our mind to a task, the seemingly impossible becomes possible. Everyone can live a purpose driven life!" said Ms Penny Low, MP Pasir Ris - Punggol GRC. Dennis intends to cover not just the city streets like Orchard Road, Shenton Way, East Coast Park and Sentosa Island but will also attempt more challenging places like the MacRitchie forest trails, Kent Ridge Park, Mount Faber and the mean South Bouna Vista Road where many elite Marathoners train. Dennis will be riding on a battery-powered wheelchair, ADVENTURE A10 that is built for tougher terrain, and which is sponsored by German manufacturer, ALBER for this quest. This is not an ordinary sports event but an event by disabled for disabled and with a good cause. Dennis hopes to raise funds for the Spastic Children's Association of Singapore (SCAS), specifically to kick-start the setting up of an assistive technologies clinic. SCAS vision is to help people with Cerebral Palsy to realise their full potential and to lead a life with respect. This echoes very well with Dennis who strongly believes that people with cerebral palsy are placed at a disadvantage due to their physical condition and with the aid of assistive technologies they can overcome these shortcomings and be more independent. "I am just an ordinary person trying to raise some funds for the less fortunate as I believe in a civic society where ordinary citizens can do their part for society through their own initiatives. I hope everyone will come forward to help, support and donate for this cause, more so in these difficult times, the spirit of giving is still very much alive. Other may give up but we must persevere." said Dennis. The target to be raised is $200,000. Half of the fund raised will be invested in assistive devices like alternative communication device and computer access device where Occupational and Speech Therapist can conduct effective assessment and training. The other half will be used to help the people with disability to own and maintain these devices. This fund will be administered by SCAS. "It's heart-warming to know someone like Dennis who wishes to help others with disabilities lead more independent lives. Despite the difficulties he personally faces with his own disabilities, he remains highly positive about life, and has taken on a very admirable and inspiring mission of helping other disabled persons. On behalf of all the beneficiaries, thank you, Dennis, for being a great role model!" James Wong, ED SCAS Dennis' noble ambition has earned the full support of his employer, the National Library Board, with whom he has worked as a librarian for 19 years even before the National Library became a statutory board. Dr N Varaprasad, Chief Executive, National Library Board said, "When Dennis first came to me on his plan to do this, I was really moved by his conviction to help the less privileged despite the daily challenges he faced himself. I am very proud to have an employee like him." The National Library Board will be helping Dennis to publicise his fundraising efforts to the public at its network of 22 Public Libraries. Through this quest, Dennis also hopes to create greater awareness about Cerebral Palsy and encourage more people with disabilities to pursue and lead a life with respect. Dennis hopes this will eventually turn out to be a yearly iconic event to help people with cerebral palsy. BACKGROUNDAbout ADVENTURE200 SingaporeDennis Dennis will start his quest on 21 April 2009 at Spastic Centre located at Pasir Drive 1 and expect to complete on 23 April 2009 at Singapore Management University, City Campus. He will cover key locations like Punggol Estates, Changi Village, East Coast Parks, Macritchie Nature Reserves, Hort Parks, South Bouna Vista, Mandai, Serangoon, Orchard Road and Shenton Way. The entire route will be 219km and with ADVENTURE A10, Dennis can travel at top speed of 12kmh. The detailed route is provided in Annex A. About Dennis KwehDennis Kweh, who is the architect behind Adventure200 Singapore, suffers from multiple medical conditions. Due to a rare genetic disorder Morguio-Brailsford disease, Dennis has very weak lungs which will progressively get weaker over time. As a result, he cannot carry out simple daily activities like walking and climbing stairs. He also suffers from Spinal Sclerosis which stunted the growth of his physical built. Dennis is blind in his left eye due to Glaucoma. In addition, he has high blood pressure and high cholesterol. About START Centre Pte LtdSTART Centre is a service provider of technological aids that enable people of all ages and disabilities improve their quality of life. With special focus in Assistive, Rehabilitative & Therapeutic (ART) Technology applications and solution, START Centre ranges of service includes evaluation, custom design and installation of AT tools to assist people with disabilities achieve their independence, education and vocational living goals. For more information about START Centre and the products we carry, please visit our website at www.start-centre.com. About Spastic Children's Association of SingaporeThe Spastic Children's Association of Singapore (SCAS) was established in 1957 to provide early intervention, special education, rehabilitation services, day activity centre programmes, vocational training and gainful employment for children and adults with Cerebral Palsy in Singapore. About the donation driveDonation can be made from 4 March till 30 April 2009. Company and personal checks can be made to "Spastic Children's Association of Singapore". Please state on the reverse side of check "ADVENTURE200 Singapore", your name or company name, postal address and contact number. This will allow SCAS to send the tax relief receipt to you correctly*. All checks are to be posted to START Centre Pte Ltd, 49 Kaki Bukit View, Singapore 415973. Ms Cherry Choo Melissa B Shepherdson |
