MDS supports AMD Week

By Sharon Siddique

MDS President

MDS was again a partner with Khoo Teck Puat Hospital in contributing to the success of the annual AMD Awareness Week (19 to 24 May 2013). The launch was held on Sunday, 19 May, from 9am to 1pm. From 11am to 1pm, and in cooperation with hospital staff, MDS hosted a number of Patient Support Group Talks. These included several presentations on this year’s theme of “Eat Right Save Sight”, the highlight being the ever popular cooking demonstration.

Other topics included counseling patients with macular degeneration, introduction to the Guide Dogs Association of the Blind, and a dialogue session with a representative of the AMD Alliance International from London.

Exco members were on hand to recruit new members. MDS adviser, Dr Au Eong Kah Guan has generously donated copies of Denise Au Eong’s recently-published book, “When Grandma Sees a Whirlpool”. He has generously offered each PAID UP MDS member a FREE copy of the book, while additional copies are available for sale at $12 at All For Eyes (Tanglin Shopping Centre 05-23). All proceeds of the book sales will be donated to MDS Singapore.

When Grandma Sees a Whirlpool

Book Review

By Sharon Siddique 

President, MDS Singapore 

May 2013 

When Grandma Sees a Whirlpool by Denise Au Eong, is a newly published children’s book about AMD (age-related macular degeneration) written from a unique perspective. The narrator is a young boy who accompanies his mother and grandma on a visit to an ophthalmologist (eye doctor). 

Grandmas are special people. From them we learn about life, and living, and also about the natural process of ageing. Grandmas slow down, have trouble running and remembering. They complain about aches and pains. To a child, even a spritely 50-year-old grandma is “old”. 

One of the most difficult illnesses of old age to explain is deteriorating eyesight. There are often no outward signs of failing vision. Eyes “look” normal. So children can be oblivious of grandma’s eyesight problems. 

And this non-communication is often compounded by grandma’s unwillingness to seek help. Older people often tend to resign themselves to such conditions. They accept that many infirmities are inevitable, and stoically sit rather than actively intervene. 

The author is to be congratulated for promoting the magical ingredient of inter-generational communication – grandma, mother, and Julian band together to tackle grandma’s “whirlpool”. This book is a must-read for all children who love their grandmas because it not only informs about AMD, but also reinforces the importance of cultivating loving relationships. Love, trust, concern, reassurance, are all provided in abundant supply. 

The last section of the book is a great bonus. Well-known ophthalmologist, Dr Au Eong Kah Guan presents a clear and informative introduction to AMD for adults. 

The book is well-illustrated and designed, making it a very professional read indeed. The illustrator, Eliz Ong, has created an extremely attractive and colourful child-friendly layout, and Spring Publishers have excelled in the technical aspects of editing and printing. 

As AMD is a life sentence, Dr Au Eong also profiles two organisations which can extend support to AMD patients and caregivers. Information on the AMD Alliance International can be found on its website: www.amdalliance.org. 

Closer to home, the Macular Degeneration Society (MDS) Singapore can be approached through its website,  this blog and on Facebook. 

Dr Au Eong has kindly donated 200 copies of this book to MDS. All members will be given a free copy during our events. The book is also available for sale at $12 at our events and at All For Eyes (Tanglin Shopping Centre #05-23).