A Great Start
This morning at 7am, I took my kids to join me in the Singhealth Amazing Fun Family Walk. While most things at 7am aren’t fun for me, bouncing around with this brood certainly is. The Children’s Emergency department had several teams participating. Rounding out ours was Dr Edward, whom M5 had shared a stage with, Finding Friendship In The Lost City Of Atlantis.
In fact, Professors Chan Yoke Hwee & Alex Sia last met M5 at that event too, while dressed as a pirate & jellyfish. Today they were officially flagging the Singhealth Amazing Fun Family Walk off. Also cheering at the start line was the hospital mascot. M6 was so enchanted by the KKH Super Bear, I thought we might never leave.
Presently, the horn sounded and we were off to a great start.
Singhealth Amazing Fun Family Walk
Scheduled Stops
And so we made our way to various pitstops. At St Thomas’ playground, we played charades, the designated actor being the one stuck with the ball when the music stopped. I thought this would be fun for the small kids until I realized the theme was “chronic diseases”. Eventually we combined with other teams with more adults and cheered one another on as we acted out ailments like arthritis. At Velocity, we played Bingo, where clues about a healthy lifestyle were given.
Lost & Found
The problem was the unscheduled pitstops. These included extended clambering at playgrounds & mall swings, snacks at a bakery and rest at random spots.
In addition, M5’s pace was flagging since, well, two minutes from the official flag-off. By the time we went past the Tanglin Police Station adjacent to the hospital, she needed Ed to fan her. After she crossed the first road underneath the flyover, her shoulders slumped. It was only a matter of time before we lost the Singhealth teams before and after us. We started going in circles. When we passed the massage parlor the second time around, M5 begged to be carried. Eventually we found our way back to KKH without further incident, although I certainly felt quite arthritic around my shoulders. I thought I would be perfect for charades about chronic diseases just then.
Carnival
When M5 realized we were back at the hospital, instead of some exotic destination, she exclaimed, “What? You mean all that walking was for nothing?”
However the perks of being back soon soothed her ruffled feathers. For starters, there a milo truck with free drinks as well as a fun photo-booth. The kids also enjoyed a game, where they had to pass a ball to each other blindfolded. This ball had bells in it so you had to listen hard to figure out which direction it was coming at you from. It was meant to educate them about a blind person’s experience.
Finally, the hospital was led in a work-out by lively dance instructors. M4-6 were pulled onstage to join them and they went most willingly.
More Family Time
After we left my Singhealth amazing fun family, we met Daddy to celebrate his birthday. Daddy has done legendary work in the field of psychiatry, particularly with dementia & depression. (See more in Forget Me Not) In fact, he recently received The Public Service Star (BBM) from the President. http://nusmedicine.nus.edu.sg/pcm/2018/08/10/congratulations-prof-kua-ee-heok-for-receiving-the-public-service-star/
But at home, when my brother & I were growing up, we never found him too busy to be present. Now, he’s here for my kids too, as their devoted Grandpa. I don’t think we tell him that enough, although the kids made a big card for him to express their gratitude today. So, Daddy, happy birthday. And thank you for being an amazing, fun Grandpa.
