Even though she was born with Down syndrome, she has her own ideas. Having gone through 12 comfortable years being served like a "princess" by the maid at home, she determined to offer herself the chance by walking out of the house to stay connected with the beautiful world outside.

She found the value of her life through a series of changes taking place in her. By earning a paltry income with her own labour, she has learned how to get along with other people.

Despite the fact that this was only her first step, she has made a most crucial and major step in her life.

Her mother was gratified to see the changes in her daughter, and was more certain that her initial decision to allow her daughter to learn to be independent was right.

Learning packaging at Lovely Disabled Home

The founder of Lovely Disabled Home, Mr. Lin Guo Qiang agreed that Shi Ting was the only one among all Down syndrome patients at his workshop who was gifted with the ability to learn things fast and present the most and fastest changes.

"She probably was not used to the working environment here when she was still new. Therefore she was not so open, refusing to learn and even showing her temper occasionally. Today she is no longer showing her resistance and has been trying to control her emotions and fears in front of strangers."

Fast learner

"Though the main thing we do at the workshop is merely packaging, we must pay attention to the quantities of the packages, the compliance of rules and the tidiness of packages before sealing."

He said Shi Ting had shown remarkable improvements in her learning progress. Now she is able to understand what she wants and which job suits her most as she would pick the simpler jobs to perform. Even though she looks like any other Down children, she has shown great improvements by listening to her heart and making wise decisions.

Gratified to see daughter's performances

Shi Teng's mother, Wu Xiu Fong is a retired bank executive while her husband a businessman. They have altogether four children, Shi Ting being the third. The eldest daughter is 32 years old now while the youngest son, 24, is still studying in a college.

Among the four, her mother was most worried about Shi Ting. However, through the changes that she has made by searching her sustenance for her life and mind on working, she feels reassured.

Shi Ting came to this world with Down syndrome. As this is an unchangeable fact, the only thing her family could do was to send her to a special school to learn how to be independent when she reached the schooling age.

She attended a special school at Brickfields from 7 until 16 years old. She discontinued her studies because of transport problems and also because she was reluctant to go to school.

In the following 12 years, Shi Teng was well taken care of by a maid at home. Nevertheless, she was willing to offer a hand to do some simple housekeeping work upon request of her family.

Awakened by massage therapist

Xiu Fong said while she was having a massage at Brickfields four months ago, she talked about Shi Ting's conditions to the massage therapist during their conversation.

From the advice of the massage therapist, she came to realisation that she had to let Shi Ting learn how to stand on her own feet before the parents become old and pass away some day.

"Although she has two sisters and a brother, they can't possibly take care of her round the clock or for her entire lifetime. Shi Ting has but to learn to be independent."

Finally, under the recommendation of the centre, Xiu Fong sent her daughter to the workshop of Lovely Disabled Home.

Not tired of her new job

When Xiu Fong asked Shi Ting whether she wanted to work, she did not expect her to agree at once. Although she did not get used to the working environment initially, she did not reject it expressly. This proves that she hoped to picked up new things deep inside her.

After these four months, Shi Ting has begun to get used to the working life and is more willing now to wake up on time in the morning. She never feels tired once she has found a goal in her life. Even though her mother had to keep her company during the first two working days, she only needs to drive her from home to the workshop nowadays.

Today, Shi Ting just looks like any ordinary people capable of making a living and doing some simple housekeeping work from time to time.

Charity dinner

In order to expand the workshop to accommodate more disabled people, Lovely Disabled Home has planned a charity dinner on 21 November with the target of raising RM200,000 to expand the existing facilities.

Founder Lin Guo Qiang said due to space constraint, he was unable to take in more disabled people unless he could extend the building. He hoped he could achieve his goal of purchasing the existing plot of land by raising RM500,000 over the next two years.

He said the tickets for the charity dinner were now available for sale, and he hoped businesses would purchase the vouchers or sponsor the merchandise.

Those who sponsor RM3,000 to RM5,000 will have their company logos printed on the 2010 calendar. For enquiries, call 013-340 9622 or visit: http://www.lovelydisabledhome.com. (Translated by LIM LIY EE/Sin Chew Daily)