Our Clients & Testimonials

After my stroke, I found myself facing the challenge of a physical impairment in my left leg, resulting in a noticeable limp. That’s when I turned to ABLE, seeking to regain stability through physiotherapy. Sailing, a sport I’ve cherished since childhood, took a backseat after my stroke, but I was determined to make a comeback.

Daily walks with my dogs became a crucial part of my recovery journey, helping me stay active and reinforcing what I learned in therapy within the community. Life hit pause, but my focus during rehab was unwavering. Determined to walk steadily again, I realised the importance of the senses we often take for granted.

Walking the dogs initially posed a challenge as I adjusted to controlling them with my newfound physical limitations. However, their reliability and adaptability became my support system, aiding me in regaining confidence a year after the stroke. Those walks became more than just physical exercise; they became a therapeutic practice, allowing me to take little steps toward regaining my confidence to walk.

Reintegrating into the community became easier during nature walks. The skills acquired in therapy became second nature during these walks, and the daily practice not only improved my balance but also provided a sense of accomplishment. My dogs, steadfast companions on my journey, played a significant role in my recovery, proving that even the little steps can lead to big strides in rebuilding one’s life.

It’s amazing how I found solace and empowerment through volunteering, turning what started as part of my therapy into a meaningful journey of support and inspiration for others.

My transition from a professional career to a volunteer role was an adaptation to new circumstances. I had to stop working and focus on rehabilitation. As a stroke survivor, I used my experience to help others, especially by connecting with fellow clients. I understood the patience needed and I could relate to their challenges. Cooking is my form of respite and food creates opportunities to socialise. ABLE Chef gave me a platform to share my passion while allowing me to practice therapy techniques in a supported environment.

I hope more people will not give up on their passions despite obstacles. What you do with your talents is incredibly powerful. It is possible to find joy and purpose in new ways. I hope to continue sharing my cooking with people as I learn new recipes and perfect kitchen skills.

I was a banker, and I loved my job. It allowed me to meet people from different walks of life. Having a listening ear made understanding my clients’ stories easier. Not only did it provide me with sustainable employment, but it also challenged me to experience life to the fullest.

It was March 2021, and I was told I have a rare condition called Spinocerebellar Ataxia 3, SCA3. From living actively, I was now told that the life I love will somehow be shortened. I was told that I would gradually have problems with coordination and balance. I became weaker and ultimately decided to resign from a career I found so rewarding. I had to adjust to navigating a wheelchair to get around.

I was referred to ABLE for rehabilitation in 2023. Though therapy can’t cure me, it can help me retrain movement patterns and adopt communication strategies. I had to learn how to move with my wheelchair and stand without falling over. I’ve also ventured into learning cooking and social skills in ABLE Chef. I have many people on this journey with me. Many are not giving up on me. I’m grateful, I still have time with the people I love. My disability may have knocked me down, but I am getting right back up. Gaining confidence to be part of a bigger community is a journey. For anyone who is in the same position as me, I hear you. Let us not give up easily.

 

Ms. Narimah was referred to ABLE for our signature Return-to-Work (RTW) Programme as well as our therapy services in December 2019. She had suffered from a brain bleed which resulted in moderate aphasia, a language impairment which adversely affects a person’s ability to understand, read, speak and write. In the programme, Ms Narimah was given a comprehensive suite of rehabilitation, employment support, training and social work services to improve her independence in caring for herself and enhance her odds of finding gainful employment.

During Ms. Narimah’s initial speech therapy assessment, she had difficulty understanding and communicating with others. Upon reviewing her initial assessment, Ms. Narimah’s therapist was able to discover areas which were challenging for her as well as her strengths. Knowing her strengths enabled her therapist to deduce the optimal way to communicate with her while she underwent therapy. Ms. Narimah said the therapy sessions in ABLE gave her the confidence to speak independently and provided the support she needed to get back on her feet again. In fact, she has found a job through the RTW programme. “I keep a positive mind; I know I will get better,” said Ms. Narimah.

Jane is a caregiver to her husband Alan, a stroke survivor. She enrolled her husband in ABLE’s swimming classes for care recipients and subsequently joined ABLE’s Tele-Kopi sessions for caregivers. The sessions provided Jane with an avenue to express herself through reflections and participating in open conversations with other caregivers. She made many friends and forged sturdy bonds with other ABLE caregivers. Initially, Jane decided to join this support group in order to learn good caregiving practices and be a role model to other caregivers.

The like-minded people she met created a community for her to journey with. “If you needed to cry, no one judged. Everyone could relate and everyone supported you through it,” said Jane. The ABLE respite programmes gave her hope and strength in times of adversity. Jane is also a breast cancer survivor who advocates for and speaks on behalf of those in similar situations as her. She shared that this platform has reignited her faith as she is able to give back to society by sharing her experiences and caregiving tips.

Gladys was previously referred to ABLE for rehabilitation services. As a person with disabilities, she felt discouraged when she was initially unable to find gainful employment. She was constantly worried about her lack of financial stability which adversely affected her capability of supporting her children on her own. She shared that her children are her primary motivation in life. They are the reasons why she has the strength and willpower to search for potential solutions.

In 2016, Gladys found employment with ABLE SEAS – an extension of ABLE’s Return-To-Work programme. She went through accounting training from industry experts. With a stable job on hand, she feels happy that she is useful and is able to contribute to society just like anyone else. Gladys has gained confidence and independence working at ABLE SEAS and is often described by her colleagues as loud. She hopes to inspire others in similar situations as her past self to persevere and constantly look for ways to upgrade oneself.

Kalai battled with a heart attack which resulted in an amputation of his leg. Subsequently, he faced financial hardships and struggled mightily with depression while simultaneously trying to support his family. His life took a turn for the better when he was introduced to ABLE by other members of the church he regularly attended. After undergoing ABLE’s Return-To-Work programme, Kalai eventually found meaningful work as an Accounts Assistant at ABLE SEAS. “I love my job because the management listens to our needs, it is a friendly and open environment to work in.”

“ABLE SEAS provides opportunities for persons with disabilities (PWDs) to be gainfully employed. As a charity that provides shelter and social services to displaced individuals and families, New Hope Community Services is delighted to also make a difference in the lives of PWDs. ABLE SEAS provides book-keeping and payroll services to our organisation. Outsourcing of these services has provided assurance to our stakeholders in the areas of independent review and governance and allowed our management to focus on higher-value services while ensuring we comply with the employment laws and accounting standards. ABLE SEAS offers excellent professional services while empowering PWDs, and we would not hesitate to recommend their services to anyone.”

“While White Rook Advisory has strong competence in our core consulting function of public affairs, one of the by-products of growth is the need for a robust compliance support team. ABLE SEAS has been a critical partner for us in addressing this gap. Through their expertise and support, ABLE SEAS is our go-to “one-stop shop”, managing many of our critical functions including our staff payroll, tax reporting, GST payments and financial statements. The fact that they help the vulnerable in society make a dignified living is a worthy cause that we wanted to be a part of.”

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