Moment2Moment - Breathless in Kuala Lumpur
Reflections of a Medical Social Worker
This book traces how the author left the little rural town where she lived to “seek her fortune” in the capital city of Kuala Lumpur. She started life as a volunteer at the Spastic Children’s Association of Selangor after which she was offered a job as a temporary teacher.
In 1972, she was accepted to the University of Singapore to do Social Work studies. Upon graduation, she worked for about one and a half year at the Spastic Centre again as its acting Head and social worker.
She embarked on her career as a medical social worker at the University of Malaya Medical Centre from 1975 to 2001. She served various clinical departments and in the course of her service, she encountered many incidents, some of which were tragic, some scary, some rewarding and some funny and humorous.
In this book, the author traces the events that occurred through her career and shares her experiences with anyone working with people. According to S Gangadara, President, National Council of Befrienders, Malaysia, “it is a very informative and great documentation of a medical social worker and is a recommended reading for mental health professionals, medical and nursing staff in government and private sector, staff and volunteers in mental health/social/spiritual NGOs, students in relevant studies and anyone who is interested.”
In 1972, she was accepted to the University of Singapore to do Social Work studies. Upon graduation, she worked for about one and a half year at the Spastic Centre again as its acting Head and social worker.
She embarked on her career as a medical social worker at the University of Malaya Medical Centre from 1975 to 2001. She served various clinical departments and in the course of her service, she encountered many incidents, some of which were tragic, some scary, some rewarding and some funny and humorous.
In this book, the author traces the events that occurred through her career and shares her experiences with anyone working with people. According to S Gangadara, President, National Council of Befrienders, Malaysia, “it is a very informative and great documentation of a medical social worker and is a recommended reading for mental health professionals, medical and nursing staff in government and private sector, staff and volunteers in mental health/social/spiritual NGOs, students in relevant studies and anyone who is interested.”
My MOTIVATIONS to write this book
- In the counselling course for para counselors that I was conducting, I was already sharing my experience as a medical social worker, so I decided to write them down for future generations of social workers and counsellors
- to encourage students to take up the profession
- to inspire social workers to achieve best practices - the lessons learnt, strengths, risks to avoid and what the profession requires of them
- to highlight the universal values of forgiveness, gratitude, respect, love, trust, honesty, generosity, joy, compassion and letting go that abound in our relationships and inter-connectedness with one another
- to break misconceptions on the profession – Are you trained? Are you paid? Untrained persons applying for the job
- to encourage the Government to have a policy to employ only professionally trained graduates to do the job
- no one in Malaysia and Singapore has documented on the work that we do
- final push was to take on a challenge with friend who is a lawyer, to write our books
Foreword I - Associate Professor Ann Elizabeth Wee
It really is an honour and privilege to be shown this fascinating manuscript to a splendid book and to be trusted with the task of writing a foreword to it. This is a moving account of persistence in the face of difficulties, but it is also a most interesting account of medical social work practice in an Asian setting.
All this is presented in an attractive way that holds the readers’ attention from page to page – complete with a sprinkling of appropriate quotations to challenge our thinking. Besides being a ‘must’ for anyone remotely involved in medical services, above all this is also “a jolly good read.” I am truly looking forward to the day when the book appears in the shops in print.
Associate Professor Ann Elizabeth Wee,
Department of Social Work,
National University of Singapore,
Singapore, July 2013
It really is an honour and privilege to be shown this fascinating manuscript to a splendid book and to be trusted with the task of writing a foreword to it. This is a moving account of persistence in the face of difficulties, but it is also a most interesting account of medical social work practice in an Asian setting.
All this is presented in an attractive way that holds the readers’ attention from page to page – complete with a sprinkling of appropriate quotations to challenge our thinking. Besides being a ‘must’ for anyone remotely involved in medical services, above all this is also “a jolly good read.” I am truly looking forward to the day when the book appears in the shops in print.
Associate Professor Ann Elizabeth Wee,
Department of Social Work,
National University of Singapore,
Singapore, July 2013
Foreword II - Ajahn Brahmavamso
When it is hot, keep a cool head.
When it is cold, keep a warm heart.
Stories of wisdom bring light to the world, and tales of kindness bring warmth. As I write these words, it is a cold, overcast winter’s day in Perth and it is thoughts of kindness that keep my heart warm and my face smiling on such a miserable, wet and windy day.
The stories in this book are similarly full of warmth, humour and wisdom. They too will lighten up a gloomy heart and remind a person who has forgotten about kindness that it is out there in many places, giving warmth and purpose to all our lives.
Ajahn Brahmavamso,
Perth, June 2013
When it is hot, keep a cool head.
When it is cold, keep a warm heart.
Stories of wisdom bring light to the world, and tales of kindness bring warmth. As I write these words, it is a cold, overcast winter’s day in Perth and it is thoughts of kindness that keep my heart warm and my face smiling on such a miserable, wet and windy day.
The stories in this book are similarly full of warmth, humour and wisdom. They too will lighten up a gloomy heart and remind a person who has forgotten about kindness that it is out there in many places, giving warmth and purpose to all our lives.
Ajahn Brahmavamso,
Perth, June 2013
Testimonials
“It is amazing you have put down on paper all your experiences for the next generation. Fantastic.”
Assoc Prof Rokiah Ismail, Dermatologist, University of Malaya Medical Centre
“I thank you for the opportunity to proofread your manuscript and it is a privilege to be trusted with it. The format and the way you organised the different subjects in little module forms and beginning each section with a quotation is very good. It allows people to pick up the book and read it at and from any place that they want.
The Appendices at the end of the book are really useful information for the general public as well as for those people who might be considering taking up medical social work as a career. It is a job well done, your book and your career. I think you have had a wonderful life and career and I am glad that you are sharing it with us. You must be contented with a life well-lived. I am admiring you and happy for you.”
Tan Joo Lan, copyeditor for my book
“This is indeed an impressive and marvellous achievement, a wonderful book. Your short articles make good reading. Keep well and going.”
Assoc Prof S Vasoo, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore
“The richness of the author’s occupation as a medical social worker comes to the fore as she shares her experiences with us. It is a life of daring to venture into the unknown, the red light area in Chow Kit where a sex worker infected with HIV and who has had relapses of schizophrenia worked; and the mind of a suffering incest survivor via art therapy. In these sharing, the invaluable service of the medical social worker is drawn home as it is a job that requires one to explore and/or at times accompany the survivor of poverty, of human cruelty and of troubled minds in finding and opening doors of opportunities or happiness. This work requires strength of character and ingenuity of the spirit and I am honoured that the author shares with me this journey.”
Dr Lai Suat Yan, Coordinator, Gender Studies Program, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University Malaya Kuala Lumpur
“It is a very interesting, and great documentation of a Medical Social Worker, expressed with feelings from the heart. I'm reading and re-reading it, trying to feel the undertones, reflecting about the events that I could identify with and at the same time gaining new insights and inspirations from your great effort and achievement!”
S Gangadara, President, National Council of Befrienders, Malaysia
“Thanks for this inspiring book. And most of all, I am very glad I know you - a small person with a BIG heart. And you really have done small things in a big way.”
Dr Liew Yuh Ming, Gynaecologist
“It has been an interesting read - indeed an eye opener for me. I didn't know there was so much you have done. Such selfless commitment and devotion to service to the sick and disadvantaged. ‘Tabik’ (salute).
I never realise there were so many aspects to social work. Talk about living under a ‘tempurung’ (coconut shell). :-(( It is good to know there are so many dedicated medical social workers around who are devoting their scarce free time to assist the under-privileged. I love the quotes. They are so meaningful. You deserve all the recognition and should be justifiably proud of it. :-))”
Albert Lim, University of Malaya Agriculture Alumni
“It is awesome to have written so much on so many aspects of your life and about others whom you had interacted with! Interesting!”
Joyce Chen, younger sister
“Congratulations for another achievement and a feather in the cap! As always they are witty, compassionate and showed your tenacity and perseverance in solving problems. You are a blessing to all who meet you. Every best wishes for another milestone!”
Wuan Thong Lok, University of Malaya Agriculture Alumni
“This is wonderful and enlightening work. Quite a unique way of telling stories and reflection. I cannot wait for the real printed version.”
Teoh Ai Hua, President, Malaysian Association of Social Workers
“What you have written gave me so much pleasant memories and it looks like we all social work students had to go through many similar “growing up” experiences. Thanks to the lecturers you mentioned. It had been a memorable moment to recall all the good experiences. I am very happy to read your good reminiscences and also all your rich experiences captured neatly in this nice to read book. This book deserves to be read by many people who want to be in the helping profession for many years to come.”
Keek Seng Bee, Counsellor, Corporate Trainer and Executive Coach
“Excellent, Barbara. I look forward to support the sale of your book.”
Low Mi Yen, Clinical Psychologist and Corporate Trainer
“You are really an icon in our Medical Social Work Unit!”
Fatimang Ladola, Medical Social Worker, University of Malaya Medical Centre
“It’s so interesting, I could not put it down!”
Marie Tungka, Geologist, Hon Secretary, Gotami Vihara Society
“I must sincerely congratulate you for writing your book. I also wanted to do like you do, but never got off the ground. I must learn some great lessons from your selfless life of giving and sharing.”
Loi Hui Kong, Corporate Trainer
“May the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings.”
Yen Chee Wan, nephew
“A fine piece of work I must say. Well done.” P C Shivadas Raman, Editor
“It is amazing you have put down on paper all your experiences for the next generation. Fantastic.”
Assoc Prof Rokiah Ismail, Dermatologist, University of Malaya Medical Centre
“I thank you for the opportunity to proofread your manuscript and it is a privilege to be trusted with it. The format and the way you organised the different subjects in little module forms and beginning each section with a quotation is very good. It allows people to pick up the book and read it at and from any place that they want.
The Appendices at the end of the book are really useful information for the general public as well as for those people who might be considering taking up medical social work as a career. It is a job well done, your book and your career. I think you have had a wonderful life and career and I am glad that you are sharing it with us. You must be contented with a life well-lived. I am admiring you and happy for you.”
Tan Joo Lan, copyeditor for my book
“This is indeed an impressive and marvellous achievement, a wonderful book. Your short articles make good reading. Keep well and going.”
Assoc Prof S Vasoo, Department of Social Work, National University of Singapore
“The richness of the author’s occupation as a medical social worker comes to the fore as she shares her experiences with us. It is a life of daring to venture into the unknown, the red light area in Chow Kit where a sex worker infected with HIV and who has had relapses of schizophrenia worked; and the mind of a suffering incest survivor via art therapy. In these sharing, the invaluable service of the medical social worker is drawn home as it is a job that requires one to explore and/or at times accompany the survivor of poverty, of human cruelty and of troubled minds in finding and opening doors of opportunities or happiness. This work requires strength of character and ingenuity of the spirit and I am honoured that the author shares with me this journey.”
Dr Lai Suat Yan, Coordinator, Gender Studies Program, Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University Malaya Kuala Lumpur
“It is a very interesting, and great documentation of a Medical Social Worker, expressed with feelings from the heart. I'm reading and re-reading it, trying to feel the undertones, reflecting about the events that I could identify with and at the same time gaining new insights and inspirations from your great effort and achievement!”
S Gangadara, President, National Council of Befrienders, Malaysia
“Thanks for this inspiring book. And most of all, I am very glad I know you - a small person with a BIG heart. And you really have done small things in a big way.”
Dr Liew Yuh Ming, Gynaecologist
“It has been an interesting read - indeed an eye opener for me. I didn't know there was so much you have done. Such selfless commitment and devotion to service to the sick and disadvantaged. ‘Tabik’ (salute).
I never realise there were so many aspects to social work. Talk about living under a ‘tempurung’ (coconut shell). :-(( It is good to know there are so many dedicated medical social workers around who are devoting their scarce free time to assist the under-privileged. I love the quotes. They are so meaningful. You deserve all the recognition and should be justifiably proud of it. :-))”
Albert Lim, University of Malaya Agriculture Alumni
“It is awesome to have written so much on so many aspects of your life and about others whom you had interacted with! Interesting!”
Joyce Chen, younger sister
“Congratulations for another achievement and a feather in the cap! As always they are witty, compassionate and showed your tenacity and perseverance in solving problems. You are a blessing to all who meet you. Every best wishes for another milestone!”
Wuan Thong Lok, University of Malaya Agriculture Alumni
“This is wonderful and enlightening work. Quite a unique way of telling stories and reflection. I cannot wait for the real printed version.”
Teoh Ai Hua, President, Malaysian Association of Social Workers
“What you have written gave me so much pleasant memories and it looks like we all social work students had to go through many similar “growing up” experiences. Thanks to the lecturers you mentioned. It had been a memorable moment to recall all the good experiences. I am very happy to read your good reminiscences and also all your rich experiences captured neatly in this nice to read book. This book deserves to be read by many people who want to be in the helping profession for many years to come.”
Keek Seng Bee, Counsellor, Corporate Trainer and Executive Coach
“Excellent, Barbara. I look forward to support the sale of your book.”
Low Mi Yen, Clinical Psychologist and Corporate Trainer
“You are really an icon in our Medical Social Work Unit!”
Fatimang Ladola, Medical Social Worker, University of Malaya Medical Centre
“It’s so interesting, I could not put it down!”
Marie Tungka, Geologist, Hon Secretary, Gotami Vihara Society
“I must sincerely congratulate you for writing your book. I also wanted to do like you do, but never got off the ground. I must learn some great lessons from your selfless life of giving and sharing.”
Loi Hui Kong, Corporate Trainer
“May the power of every moment of your goodness flow forth to awaken and heal all beings.”
Yen Chee Wan, nephew
“A fine piece of work I must say. Well done.” P C Shivadas Raman, Editor