Words of wisdom from the dying: ‘Have more fun’
SINGAPORE – Ms Cindy Tay, 53, was diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a fatal motor neurone disease, five years ago.
She cannot move her limbs by herself and cannot speak. She texts and “speaks” with a digital voice generated by a device that uses eye-gaze technology.
The communication software, called Tobii, made by the multinational company of the same name, is operated using eye movements. Using it, Ms Tay tells The Straits Times: “If I could go back in time, I would have had more fun. I think I was stingy when it came to my own enjoyment.”
She used to like playing tennis and wishes she had gone go-karting more often. Now, she enjoys watching Korean dramas.
Her last job, which she left at age 49, was senior director of a technology firm in Shenzhen, China. She worked previously in tech companies in Bangladesh, Nigeria and Taiwan.
“I want to encourage others that, no matter our circumstances and weakness, we should be strong and determined to achieve our goals,” says Ms Tay, who is single. She lives alone in a three-room HDB flat in Ang Mo Kio with two domestic helpers.
Since her diagnosis, she has found satisfaction in achieving various milestones, such as making new friends and helping other patients by sharing her experience of living with her neurological disorder.
She has always liked travelling and now plans overseas trips for her household, including buying air tickets, booking hotels and arranging the visas for her two helpers to accompany her. The trio visited Shenzhen and Taipei, Taiwan, in 2023.
“Even if we are sick and disabled, we should enjoy life and be independent. We don’t want to be a burden to others,” says Ms Tay.
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