(This story is from our archives of NextStep Magazine. The Magazine has since been renamed to AIC With You)

A stroke in 2015 robbed Mr Chia Wee Song of his ability to talk and walk easily. But he was reunited with an old friend in the most unlikely of places.

The stroke in 2015 had left him paralysed on the right side. He could no longer walk properly. He also had difficulty speaking, but a familiar face soon eased his worries. When he arrived at the centre, he recognised Stella Chuah immediately. She used to run a hair salon near his home. He would have his hair cut there, and would sometimes drop by for a chat if he was in the area. But he had lost touch with her after she closed her salon five years earlier.

Friend in need
 

The easy camaraderie kept Mr Chia’s spirits up as he worked on his rehabilitation. Stella’s motherly manner helped keep him on track. She shadowed him as he went about a programme of activities designed to help improve his speech and mobility, from music therapy (singing and doing exercises to music) to colouring and games. And she would do whatever she could to help him succeed.

The two friends have nothing but praise for each other. She credits his fighting spirit for his marked improvement. “He thinks positive, and is very diligent,” she says. He is now able to speak more clearly and walk with a quad stick. On his part, Mr Chia is quick to point out her caring attitude, saying that he sees her chatting with the other clients receiving therapy and making them laugh.

Finding her calling

Stella’s passion is obvious. “When you like your job, you’re happy. And it shows in the positive vibe I have towards the seniors,” she says.

It was unexpected indeed, given that she never saw herself in the role when she applied for a job at the Centre. When she closed her hair salon, all she wanted was a job that would allow her to spend more time with her young daughter. She ended up working for the centre as a driver.

Once there, she found herself taking on more care responsibilities. “I developed good relationships with the seniors. If they were feeling down, I knew how to comfort them,” Stella explains.

A rewarding experience

Today, she still serves as a relief driver, but values her role as a care staff. It is very rewarding and moving when the seniors tell you, “I like you very much, you’re very good”, she says. “That’s something money can’t buy.” She also treasures their concern. They would worry and ask after their care staff if they do not see them at their sessions. “We care for the seniors and they also care for us,” she notes warmly.

What Do Care Staff Do?

Care staff work with seniors on various rehabilitation activities. They support the therapist in preparing and helping patients with their exercises, maintain therapy equipment, and prepare the exercise area for patients. Take Stella and Mr Chia for example. She follows him to his various activities, and cheers him on whether he’s completing colouring exercises to strengthen his hand, or participating in bowling and hockey.

About Stella

Stella used to run a hair salon, but closed it in order to spend more time with her children. She signed up to be a driver at St Luke’s, but her interactions with the seniors have awoken a desire to help them. Since she joined, she has attended and completed a six-month home care course at the Institute for Technical Education. This includes an attachment at St Luke’s Hospital. The course covered topics such as why people get stroke, dementia and heart attack. It also imparted skills such as how to change a catheter.