Charting a path to independence
At just 20 years old, Anna is defying expectations and forging her own path to independence. Born with Down’s Syndrome, she has successfully earned a NITEC certificate in Logistics Services from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and secured a job as a retail staff at Heartlands@Singapore Polytechnic. Drawing strength from her life experiences, Anna is committed to living a self-sufficient life.
Outside of work. Anna participates in ‘The Very Special Choir’ and is a member of the Our Lives, Our Voices (OLOV) Self-Advocacy Programme, a joint initiative by MINDS and the Down Syndrome Association (Singapore).
Early steps toward independence
From a young age, Anna was encouraged to embrace independence. At just 10 years old, she began taking the bus to school by herself. By the time she was enrolled in ITE College East, she was able to navigate a longer, unfamiliar route to school with confidence.
Her journey towards self-sufficiency was nurtured by her supportive family who offered guidance and encouragement. Her former teachers also played a significant role, empowering her to make her own choices.
The wider community has also been supportive of Anna. Once, after she missed her bus stop and was unsure of what to do next, a kind Samaritan helped her get to her destination. Experiences like these underscore the vital role of community support in enabling Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) to navigate challenges and pursue independence.
Reimagining A Better,
Kinder World
Graduating from ITE and getting used to a new way of life
Anna’s education at ITE College East was instrumental in helping her secure her job at Heartlands@Singapore Polytechnic. Andy, Anna’s manager and a fellow ITE College East graduate, was particularly supportive. He empathised with her challenges, having faced his own struggles during his internship, which led him to hire Anna. “I saw how hard Anna worked and wanted to give her a chance,” says Andy.
I saw how hard Anna worked and wanted to give her a chance,
Initially, Anna felt overwhelmed by her responsibilities and needed frequent breaks. Andy recognised her struggles and adapted his teaching methods to suit her needs. In addition to verbal instructions, he demonstrated tasks to ensure she understood what was required. Over time, Anna learned to overcome these hurdles and improved her skills.
A day in Anna’s life at Heartlands@Singapore Polytechnic
On a typical workday, Anna arrives early to clean and prepare the store for customers. Once the shop opens, she assists customers with their purchases. During quieter moments, she takes a break and enjoys her lunch.
Confident in her abilities, Andy has assigned Anna more challenging tasks such as carrying drink cartons, restocking the fridge, and handling supplier invoices. She also checks inventory and ensures everything is organised before closing.
Anna appreciates her time at Heartlands, thanks to the support she receives from her boss and colleagues. They taught her to use the touch screen monitor and helped her overcome her initial hesitation with handling cash. Now, Anna is entrusted with the shop keys and given the autonomy to manage the store on her own.
Anna’s personal motivations and aspirations
Being employed has empowered Anna to manage her own finances. She can pay her phone and transportation bills, occasionally treating herself to new earphones and shoes or treating her family to ice cream.
Anna dreams of having her own home one day and envisions how she would decorate the place. She also hopes to invite her friends from ‘The Very Special Choir’ over for a home-cooked meal of fried rice.
With the support of her community, Anna is flourishing and inspiring those around her. If you are ever at Heartlands@Singapore Polytechnic, be sure to say hello! Anna’s journey highlights the incredible potential of PWIDs and the vital role of the community in nurturing independence.
Anna’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: Heartlands@ Singapore Polytechnic, National Library Board, SMRT Buses.
