Stories - The Purple Parade

Fadillah and Sayfullah are sitting side by side, grinning widely at each other. The TouchChat app is open on Sayfullah’s iPad

Madam Fadillah and Mr Sayfullah

Technology Has Given Me My Voice

YP wearing glasses and a white polo shirt, sitting indoors with a softly blurred background of a painting and furniture. He has a pale complexion, blue-grey eyes, and light-coloured hair, with a slight smile on his face.

YP

"I want people to see me for what I am. Not my name or my looks"

Pearl stands beside her electric scooter, dressed in a lavender skirt. The Marina Bay Sands can be seen in the background.

Pearl Lee

Smash the Weighing Scales! Let’s Stop Measuring Ourselves

Jade wearing a bright smile on her face. She is dressed in a black leotard while holding up a sword in its sheath, up to her chest. Two purple tassels hang from the hilt of the sword.

Jade Ow

From “Loner” to Leader in the Disabled Arts

Boon Keng, smiling while sitting in his electric wheelchair. He is wearing a grey polo shirt, seated at a public park.

Oh Boon Keng

Trying to be “Normal” was Holding Me Back All Along

Timothy sitting in his electric wheelchair, with his stuffed toy monkey named Milford placed on his lap.

Timothy Chan

Can I Win the ‘TROPHY’ in Muscular Dys-TROPHY?

Amanda Chan, a young woman seated in her wheelchair, drinking a cup of tea at her dining table.

Winston Wong

I Used to be Ashamed of My Hearing Aids, Now I Call Them My ‘$10,000 Earbuds’!

Zachary Tan

Zachary muses, "It's usually love at first sight, but for me, it was love at first sound.

Yip Pin Xiu

Making a Splash - Swimmer, a Person with Disability, Advocate – these are identities Yip Pin Xiu feels most comfortable with.

Wesley Loh

Wesley is on the autism spectrum. To him, autism is a neurological difference to be embraced, not a disease to be eradicated.

Wan Wai Yee

There is light at the end of the tunnel - A singer, content creator, sportswoman and environmentalist – these are only some of the ways that Wan Wai Y

Timothy Lee

The World is His Stage - Winner of the Goh Chok Tong Enabler Award in 2019, Timothy Lee or Timmy for short, takes all the roles in life very seriously

Theresa Goh

For those who follow local sporting news, Theresa’s broad, happy smile and strong physique sitting atop a wheelchair is a familiar sight.

Tham Yin May

Music can Touch the World - What is a (Purple) Parade without music? For singer-songwriter, award-winning copywriter and former Associate Creative Dir

Tan Guan Heng

I lost my sight not my purpose - Tan Guan Heng lost his sight during the peak of his career in a publishing firm, but it didn’t stop him from pursuing

Steady Goh

He is as ready to enjoy life as his name suggests. A self-named and self-taught blind guitarist, “Steady” Goh finds happiness and fulfilment through

Siti Sakinah

A birthday wish for Singapore by Sakinah, "It’s so much more fun practising with the orchestra. We used to play together at weekly rehearsals but now,

Shahidir

The Independent Me - We all have limitations. But we find courage to move forward because of people who cheer us on.

See Toh Sheng Jie

“Artistic, Not Autistic” . This would be the title of See Toh Sheng Jie’s autobiography if he had one. Befitting of the creative artist, he hopes for

Sarah Leong

Seven Times Down, Eight Times Up - If there is one thing that connects the world, it is music. It extends beyond our imagination and has the ability t

Samuel Ho

Samuel shares his story, “I am who I am today because of my parents, especially my mom. Besides being my pillar of strength, my mom was also the perso

Quek Ming Yi

Ming Yi has an onstage alter ego, "The me onstage is different from the me offstage. My onstage persona is more formal and immersed, especially so whe

Orion Ang

Orion expresses his love for his daddy, “I think my dad’s my superhero. He’s my biggest inspiration. He’s the one who taught me to play the French Hor

Nurul Natasya

To Nurul, her blindness is simply one jigsaw piece that makes up the extremely vibrant picture of her life.

Nicholas Peh

Food, Festivities and Music by Nicholas! “My first favourite thing about Singapore is how festive and special the atmosphere at Orchard Road can get,

Ng Tung Hei

Tung Hei shares her weekly routine, “Four hours everyday. That’s how much I practise at home, two hours on the viola, and two on the piano. My favouri

Ng Kok Wee

Our Dizi musician, Kok Wee enthuses, “My favourite NDP song? ‘HOME’! That's the song that tells me no matter how tough life can be, home is still wher

Muhammad Zahier Bin Samad

Making Sense of His Senses - Zahier lost his sight as a teenager. When he was warming up during a Physical Education lesson, his retina detached.

Meldip Kaur

I Can Do More - Meldip (Mel) has always believed that if there is a wheel, there is a way.

Maximillian Tan

Max listens to K-Pop, loves horses and works in human resources for a multinational corporation in the commercial real estate services industry.

Luo Mang

Luo Mang reveals the inspirational people in her life! “I have three special women in my life. My biggest inspiration is Teacher Natalie.

Luke Kang

Luke reflects on his choice of instrument, "I think it's fate that I ended up playing the Zhongruan. I know, you're probably thinking 'What instrument

Lim Zui Young

Zui Young was born with high astigmatism in his right eye and is only able to see with the right eye. But he never once lost sight of his passion for

Lily Goh

Advocating the ExtraOrdinary - Deaf advocate, artist and founder of ExtraOrdinary Horizons - Lily Goh is an extraordinary advocate.

Li Jun Qi

Jun Qi, our percussionist, reveals, “Long hands. That’s what you need to play the xylophone. It’s why I think my instructor recommended it to me

Kishon Chong

Kishon views life as a continuous video game. Currently, he is playing it at “Hard” mode – a level that is a lot more challenging, but more rewarding

Kiran Raj

Purple, Gold, and Me - Receiving a gold medal is something Kiran never imagined he could achieve, but it became a reality when he turned 24 years old.

Justin Tan

Justin fondly reveals, "There are many individuals who make an impact on my life. I would say my biggest inspiration is John Williams, the composer of

June Lin

Like every dancer, June Lin lives life by the beat – always pulsating, always moving.

Judy Wee

Live Your Dream - There’s nothing Judy Wee can’t do. She swims, even participated in the Malaysia Paralympic Games, is the Executive Director of the M

Jovin Tan

After winning his first overseas competition (the silver medal), Jovin Tan discovered that sailing is a sport he was going to put everything in.

Joshua Tseng

The best way to witness the good in the world is through an open heart. A visually-impaired advocate for the disabled community, Josh believes that ac

Jonathan Tiong Soon Yi

For Jonathan, it’s the little things that matter. A TV show at the end of the day or a video on YouTube, and that can of Coke. Because Jonathan has Sp

Jonathan Tan

Jonathan reminisces his early days in Percussion, “If I can ever go back in time to pick my instruments again, I will still pick the Marimba, Xylophon

Jaspreet Sekhon

Dancing Through Life - Jaspreet Sekhon extends her zest for life to everything she does. Be it through dancing, self-advocacy, or educating little pre

Jasmine Koh

Jasmine has cerebral palsy in her left arm but she will let you know that she is still a strong woman. Why? Because she doesn’t give up no matter what

Jasmin Seah

Evident from the post-it-filled fridge door that maps out the schedule of the entire family, Jasmin is the steward to the clockwork system that perfec

Jaffar Sidek

Jaffar opens up about his ideals, “I have a hope. That our young generation of Singaporeans can always remember and honour those who had worked so har

Isabelle Lim

A Photographer Who Sees Through Silence - “I executed the whole talk by communicating on my laptop.

Huang Kaisong

Navigating Life In His Own Lane - Car enthusiast Huang Kaisong loves reading up on new cars, collecting diecast model cars, and playing racing games.

Goh Jun Heng

Jun Heng shares his favourite piece of music, "It has to be Clair De Lune by Claude Debussy. I came across this number several times before learning h

Glenn Phua

The Beautiful Architecture of an Autistic Mind “He likes to doodle and observe architecture, adores cartoons such as The Simpsons and Snoopy, and is i

Fathima Zohra (Zoe Zora)

A spinal cord injury from a car accident four years ago left Zora with a physical disability that requires the use of a wheelchair.

Eric Chen

“I am Small but Mighty” It is no small surprise that the late founding father of Singapore, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who transformed tiny Singapore into a mig

Dr Dawn-joy Leong

“I am Autistic and Proud of It” - Researcher in autism and neurodiversity. Multi-disciplinary artist who creates immersive experiences through music,

Darren Ho

Never Running From A Challenge - Some people attain a sense of calm or serenity through yoga, others through a leisurely stroll in the park.

Claire Teo

"I hope that the marginalised communities in Singapore will stand courageously as one to fight for an inclusive and accessible home for all."

Christopher James Cheong

Love and Accept me as I am - Christopher James Cheong likes eating many types of local dishes especially laksa, adores arts and craft

Chris Hortin-Tan

“Just do it” That was the life motto that has inspired the countless adventures Chris Hortin-Tan has had as a blind runner, tennis player...

Choo Jun Wei

Jun Wei finds his voice and place in the world through his passion as a symphony musician and pride as a loving son.

Chew Chor Meng

You probably recognise him as an actor from your favourite local television program, having acted in shows like 118 and Mr Kiasu.

Chen Ziyue (Angeline)

"My mum’s unwavering love and belief in me despite my deafness, support from all my loved ones and my devoted teacher,"

Chang Zi En

"The Purple Symphony members, to me, are musicians in a big family. Like my family. But with music.”

Bronwyn Teo

"Music is my life, I'm really happy because I am fulfilling my dreams to be a musician."

Ammar “Ameezy”

Ammar may not be able to hear, but he makes his living as a dancer, theatre practitioner and filmmaker.

Allan Cai

"I am a positive person and I always call myself the happiest man on earth!"

Alister Ong

For 27 year old Alister, nothing is impossible, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges.

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Human Library: Stories of Persons with Disabilities in Our Community