1. 100 LIFESTYLE FEBRUARY 2012
Living Touch Of Hope
The latest medical documentary series,
Touch of Hope joins the patients at KK
Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
DIANA SER UNCOVERS
“TOUCH OF HOPE”
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2. FEBRUARY 2012 LIFESTYLE 101
WORDS WONG MUN WAI
Touch of Hope premieres 2 February at 9pm on Channel 5.
Host Diana Ser gives us the insights to the seven episode
series.
What was the most heart wrenching
story you encountered?
A: Matthias is a three-year-old boy who suffered from
Menkes Syndrome. (Menkes syndrome makes it hard for
the body to distribute and absorb copper. As a result,
the brain and other parts of the body do not get enough
copper.) Matthias passed away shortly after we filmed
him and his family. Most sufferers will die within the first
few years of their lives. So, Matthias’ family knew that he
would leave them some day. What was especially hard for
me was when his mother Penelope showed me the clothes
she wanted him to wear when he passed on. She was very
brave, but I was quite emotional.
What was the most heart lifting story?
A: 18-month-old Chloe who suffers from Pompe Disease
(a rare, inherited and often fatal disorder that disables
the heart and skeletal muscles). Chloe’s main caregiver is
her father, because his work hours are more flexible. It
showed me the importance of the role of the father and
that men, too, can be very good at it!
Episode 1: “Gladys & Emmanuel”.
Six-year-old Emmanuel is going to have a hearing-aid
fitted. He suffers from severe hearing impairment and
learning disabilities partly caused by Hydrocephalus
(build-up of fluid inside the skull). 10-year-old Gladys
Tan was severely burnt as she lay on a hot metal sheet laid
along the pavement for construction work. She suffered
second to third-degree burns on her left cheek and limbs
in the accident.
How will Emmanuel recover?
A: Emmanuel has special needs and his hearing needs
to be regularly monitored. But I think what is equally
important is that his mother is treated for her condition
because she is the sole caregiver. If the mother is not well,
the children will suffer.
What was it like to watch Gladys Tan
go through all her procedures and
operations over 45 days?
A: Like walking on thin ice? I think all involved (and
especially her parents), were bracing themselves for
complications along the way. Luckily, Gladys is young so
I think she will heal beautifully. I just pray that people
around her will not make life more unbearable by treating
her differently.
Episode 2: “Laotian Kids - Mo See-
Somphone & Souphot”.
Five-year-old Laotian girl Mo Seesomphone has a fist-
sized lump between her eyes. And two-year-old boy
Souphot often asked his mother why there is a lump at
his lower back. KK Hospital Outreach to Kids Fund
offered them free treatment of craniofacial surgery and
neurosurgery.
You cried when mo’s mother told you
she is scared her daughter might kill
herself when she grows up. how do
such interviews affect you?
A: When I ask those questions, I have the mind of a
reporter and the heart of a mother. Did not help that I
just had my third child so my hormones were somewhat
out of whack!
What cause/plight do soupout’s and
mo’s stories highlight?
A: Theirs are in so many ways stories of hope. They
and their families will get a new lease of life after the
surgery. Also, their stories highlight just how lucky we are
in developed societies. Pre-natal care is very important
during pregnancy, and many women in less developed
societies do not even receive that.
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