When the Macular Degeneration Society (MDS) of Singapore took its baby steps into 2008, it was barely six months old and still feeling its way around. Yet 12 months later, it can confidently look back at a year when it managed to achieve what the non-profit organisation set out to do – simply offer support to macular degeneration patients in Singapore.
It was nothing spectacular. After the bang that came with the society’s launch in June 2007 and the comprehensive mass media coverage, 2008 was a quiet year of consolidation and reaching out to the 170 members who joined the outfit. So in many ways, it was a year for the members.
Ten events were organised, with different themes and settings, catering to different segments of our membership base. These include small, intimate sharing sessions like the ones held in January and May, when members gathered to simply share their experiences, tips, advice, worries, hope and even some donuts!
In April, we held a small computer tutorial to teach members how to adjust the computer settings, optimising the equipment to help failing sight. And there were also the popular talks by experts, including NeuroVision’s in October and Eu Yan Seng on traditional Chinese medicine a month later.
The year saw MDS collaborate with the Glaucoma Patients Association and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Society to jointly organise events for members of the three self-help groups. Of course, MDS continued its support for the nation-wide AMD Awareness Week in September, hosting two support groups sessions in English and Mandarin.
The society also held its inaugural annual general meeting, where it elected a new executive committee to serve for two years. Founding president Sam Fong, who helped set up the outfit in June 2007, stepped aside for Sharon Siddique, who was the secretary, to take over the top post.
Last, this blog was set up at the start of the year to better connect with the members. It is a portal for MDS members to enjoy worldwide news about macular degeneration, as well as updates on the society and its activities. This post, incidentally, is the 50th. A nice number to round off the year.
The new year, 2009, will see the society continue where it left off – more talks, more sharing sessions and more opportunities to get to know each other better. Because that is what it is all about at the end of it all – a support group for us.
To see photos of the events held this year, go to the MDS website and click on 2008 Events.
Have a Merry Christmas and Healthy New Year. See you very soon!
It was nothing spectacular. After the bang that came with the society’s launch in June 2007 and the comprehensive mass media coverage, 2008 was a quiet year of consolidation and reaching out to the 170 members who joined the outfit. So in many ways, it was a year for the members.
Ten events were organised, with different themes and settings, catering to different segments of our membership base. These include small, intimate sharing sessions like the ones held in January and May, when members gathered to simply share their experiences, tips, advice, worries, hope and even some donuts!
In April, we held a small computer tutorial to teach members how to adjust the computer settings, optimising the equipment to help failing sight. And there were also the popular talks by experts, including NeuroVision’s in October and Eu Yan Seng on traditional Chinese medicine a month later.
The year saw MDS collaborate with the Glaucoma Patients Association and the Retinitis Pigmentosa Society to jointly organise events for members of the three self-help groups. Of course, MDS continued its support for the nation-wide AMD Awareness Week in September, hosting two support groups sessions in English and Mandarin.
The society also held its inaugural annual general meeting, where it elected a new executive committee to serve for two years. Founding president Sam Fong, who helped set up the outfit in June 2007, stepped aside for Sharon Siddique, who was the secretary, to take over the top post.
Last, this blog was set up at the start of the year to better connect with the members. It is a portal for MDS members to enjoy worldwide news about macular degeneration, as well as updates on the society and its activities. This post, incidentally, is the 50th. A nice number to round off the year.
The new year, 2009, will see the society continue where it left off – more talks, more sharing sessions and more opportunities to get to know each other better. Because that is what it is all about at the end of it all – a support group for us.
To see photos of the events held this year, go to the MDS website and click on 2008 Events.
Have a Merry Christmas and Healthy New Year. See you very soon!
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