Lunch With Sumiko

Lunch With Sumiko: Lawyer Chia Yong Yong on moving beyond disability

Through life's ups and downs, religion has been the anchor for former Nominated MP Chia Yong Yong

Ms Chia Yong Yong, who finished her second term as Nominated Member of Parliament last month, had made her presence felt in the House, raising issues not just to do with the disabled, but also on topics like education and CPF savings. She was also on
Ms Chia Yong Yong, who finished her second term as Nominated Member of Parliament last month, had made her presence felt in the House, raising issues not just to do with the disabled, but also on topics like education and CPF savings. ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Ms Chia Yong Yong (foreground, wearing cap) with (from left) helper Dewi Muliana, sister Leslie, mother Teo Kee Wei and father Chia Cheng Heng during a trip to South Korea in January.
Ms Chia Yong Yong (foreground, wearing cap) with (from left) helper Dewi Muliana, sister Leslie, mother Teo Kee Wei and father Chia Cheng Heng during a trip to South Korea in January. PHOTO: COURTESY OF CHIA YONG YONG
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Soon after lawyer Chia Yong Yong was chosen as a Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) in 2014, Parliament House staff contacted her to ask how the building could be made more disabled-friendly.

"They swung into action straightaway," recalls Ms Chia, 56, who has peroneal muscular atrophy, an inherited neurological disorder that requires her to use a wheelchair.

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