In a special edition of #VoicesOfAWWA and in celebration of #FathersDay, we shine a light on five extraordinary fathers. You may read their stories here (https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=fathersdayvoa)
Some of our fathers even got interviewed by the media!
Mr Clarence Choo
The Sunday Times, Life, Page C4, 21 June 2020 – Daddy’s Home (Life Features – Father’s Day Special)
Mr Choo, whose son Kashton, is currently enrolled in AWWA Early Intervention Centre (EIC), is one of many fathers from all walks of live who speak about how they make efforts to support their children, because they want to. In the interview, Mr Choo speaks about quitting his job as a call-centre manager, and becoming a private-hire driver because the flexibility of his schedule allows him to spend more time with Kashton. “I didn’t want to miss out on his childhood, so I try to strike a balance between providing for the family and seeing his growth,” says Mr Choo. Although COVID-19 has impacted his livelihood, Mr Choo chooses to see opportunity in adversity and he goes on to say, “Money can be earned any time. As long as I have enough to pay my bills and put food on the table, I think that extra time could be spent with my child.”
Mr Ong Choong Seong
A Father’s Journey- CNA938 (Family Ties with Susan Ng)
Mr Ong, father of Joshua, a student with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), was interviewed by Susan Ng as part of a Father’s Day special on CNA938 Live on 28 June 2020. Mr Ong shared about fatherhood and his caregiving journey with Joshua, who currently attends AWWA School and Special Student Care Centre (SSCC).
In his interview, Mr Ong mentioned that AWWA provides a safe environment for Joshua, thus allowing him and his wife to continue holding full-time jobs. He also shared his struggles upon learning Joshua’s diagnosis, interesting anecdotes, and his experiences in providing sufficient attention to both Joshua and his older neurotypical sister.