Building an inclusive Singapore
For the past decade, Johannes has brightened up people’s lives with his warm smile, both on the badminton court and off. Born with Down Syndrome, the 30-year-old exemplifies the boundless potential of Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs).
Besides being a retail associate at Uniqlo and a sportsman-in-training, Johannes is also a proud member of the Our Lives, Our Voices (OLOV) Self-Advocacy Programme, a joint initiative by MINDS and the Down Syndrome Association (Singapore).
Embracing a unique journey
Mrs Helen Cheong, Johannes’s mother, initially struggled to come to terms with her son’s diagnosis. “I spent a month being overwhelmed by frustration and tears. I could not focus on anything else,” she recalls.
However, after a friend suggested that Helen focus on teaching and nurturing Johannes, she joined a support group that offered valuable guidance and a supportive community. This helped her transition from feeling hopeless to actively fostering Johannes’s growth and development.
Armed with new knowledge and determination, Helen enrolled Johannes in a childcare centre where he learned to speak and gain independence. She further broadened his horizons through travel, books, music, sports, and writing.
Today, Johannes leads an active life, balancing his career in retail with his athletic pursuits in badminton.
Pursuing sporting excellence at the Special Olympics
Johannes began playing badminton when he was nine years old, a sport that would become a major part of his life. “I like badminton because it keeps me fit and healthy, helps me develop teamwork skills, and lets me make new friends,” he explains.
His dedication to the sport has earned him multiple medals in national competitions, as well as opportunities to serve as an emcee at some of these events.
Reimagining A Better,
Kinder World
Notably, Johannes represented Singapore at the Special Olympics International’s 50th anniversary celebration in Chicago in 2018. “This was one of my proudest moments and a very memorable experience,” he recalls.
Johannes recently competed in an inclusive badminton tournament, where he and his partner clinched a silver medal in the doubles category.
Looking ahead, Johannes hopes to represent in the Special Olympics Singapore National Games.
A champion on and off the court
Beyond his achievements in badminton, Johannes is also committed to advocating for inclusivity.
In 2018, he delivered a heartfelt speech at a Special Olympics fundraiser, urging others to espouse the values of acceptance and inclusiveness. “I hope to inspire people to make a difference, and help create a more welcoming community in Singapore,” he said.
I hope to inspire people to make a difference, and help create a more welcoming community in Singapore,
As a member of the OLOV Self-Advocacy Programme, Johannes is doing his part to empower individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to stand up for themselves. “I joined the OLOV programme to champion people with special needs and represent their interests,” he explains.
In 2022, Johannes served as a production consultant for a MediaCorp drama, ensuring accurate representation of persons with intellectual disabilities (PWIDs). He was also part of the organising committee for The Purple Parade 2023, Singapore’s largest movement for disability inclusion.
Johannes’s journey is a testament to the unique gifts and abilities of PWIDs. With continued support and understanding, we can create a more inclusive community where individuals like Johannes can thrive and be valued contributors to society.
Johannes’s story is published as part of the MINDS ‘My Way’ campaign, a campaign to raise awareness and celebrate the unique abilities of persons with intellectual disability. Through real stories of resilience, we aim to create a more inclusive society where everyone is valued.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our supporting partners for their invaluable contributions: Special Olympics Singapore, National Library Board, SMRT Buses.
