Dream ‘shattered’: Charity walk by SOS, SPD highlights disability, mental health struggles

SINGAPORE – Life seemed like nothing but physical and mental agony for Ms Regina Lim (not her real name), who suffered a devastating spinal cord injury in 2025 after attempting to take her own life.

The 24-year-old had felt anxious every day, contemplating an uncertain future when she struggled to find a full-time job after graduating from a polytechnic.

What happened exactly that day in May is still fuzzy to Ms Lim, who remembered only that she woke up in pain and unable to move at Tan Tock Seng Hospital.

Following that suicide attempt, she was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.

She began rebuilding her life through both psychiatric treatment and physiotherapy, including rehabilitation sessions at SPD, a charity empowering people with disabilities (PWDs). But it was tough.

“I just felt I was not independent and had to rely on everyone,” Ms Lim, who now uses a wheelchair, told The Straits Times on May 6 at SPD’s headquarters in Tiong Bahru.

It is stories like hers that SPD and the Samaritans of Singapore (SOS) want to tell in their first collaboration to raise awareness of the struggles faced by PWDs and individuals impacted by suicide and emotional crises.

On May 6, the two organisations signed a memorandum of understanding to launch SparkAbility 2026: A Walk For Change, a charity walk on Sept 19 at Gardens by the Bay, to raise funds and highlight the challenges faced by their respective communities.

SPD chief executive officer Abhimanyau Pal said both agencies help clients who face loneliness and isolation, as issues of mental health and disability are often difficult to discuss.

Both SPD and SOS see an overlap in helping those who are emotionally distressed about their future.

“If these are not dealt with, it could snowball into deeper issues,” said SOS chief executive Terry Siow. “We want members of the public to know how to extend help to these groups.”

Ms Lim’s mother was her main caregiver during her darkest days, accompanying her to physiotherapy, as well as swimming and table tennis lessons to rebuild her strength.

“I said, ‘Don’t give up, mummy will walk through with you’,” said Mrs Lim, tearing up. “The day she was able to stand, I was so happy.”

In 2026, Ms Lim started a part-time job marking papers for a tuition centre, and underwent training to work full-time at a call centre run by SPD.

She hopes to walk again one day. “I have more motivation to get better,” she said.

Shattered dreams

Ms Cheryl Tan was an aspiring pastry chef when she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at just 23 years old.

She was adept at standing for long hours at her job and hauling 30kg sacks of flour and sugar daily. But she started feeling numbness in her legs and collapsed one day in the shower.

The diagnosis in 2015 meant she had to quit her job. “That dream was shattered in one moment,” said Ms Tan, who is now 34.

At first, she tried baking at home, but worse was to come when she began losing sensations of heat and pressure in her hands – essential elements of her craft.

“It felt like there was nothing I could do anymore, and I felt there was no purpose continuing in life,” she said.

At her lowest point, Ms Tan contemplated ending it all, but was held back by the thought of how it would hurt her mother.

The support of her family and friends eventually lifted her out of despair. In 2021, via SPD’s Employment Support Programme, she started a new role as a customer experience and inclusivity officer at public transport operator Tower Transit Singapore.

She now conducts courses for people to better assist PWDs and help them gain confidence in taking public transport. Supporting others as someone who truly understands mobility challenges brings her hope, said Ms Tan.

Future collaboration

SOS has educated more caregivers and PWDs on suicide risks in recent years, and may do more of such prevention work in time, said Mr Siow.

Mr Pal said potential future collaboration may include a formal referral system, which would see SPD’s social workers working directly with SOS staff.

The upcoming walk combines the two agencies’ annual charity walks, SOS’ Spark The Change Fest and the SPD Ability Walk, and will double their fund raising and outreach.

Each walk raised about $300,000 previously, with about 2,000 participants. The two agencies are targeting to raise $600,000 and reach 4,000 people for the inaugural initiative.

Minister for Health and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies Ong Ye Kung will be the guest of honour.

To others going through similar struggles, Ms Tan said: “The future may look dark now, but this is only a tunnel and not the end.

“Keep going. The light is there, even if you can’t see it yet.”