Sighz....

Black Tuesday it was, yesterday. Heading to Sim Lim just to buy ink catridges, I slipped and fell before the zebra crossing and hurt my spine. The time was 2:30pm. A heartfelt thanks to the passers-by whom helped get me up and helped me to the entrance of OG Albert Complex. Thanks also to the security guard on duty for providing me with a chair for resting. I thought of the worse but insisted to wait to see if the pain will go away by itself. Even though I knew at the moment of fall that this was no ordinary one as I could not recover immediately.

By 2:55pm, I called for an ambulance. Another first in my lifetime. I was in SGH by 3:30pm and after X-ray was done, I was diagnosed with a compression fracture on my spine.



The bone will not grow back to its original position. I can now only rely on pain killers to make the pain more bearable and then perhaps go for physiotherapy to help gain back muscle strength to support the compressed wedge. The appointment for the spinal specialist at SGH is only available on 14 July. Shalln't take the risk; went to Raffles Hospital and got one on next week. Hopefully, by then I will be walking in and not wheel-chaired in like yesterday night. What a day it was...

Demise of ex-presidents

DEMISE OF FORMER PRESIDENT DR WEE KIM WEE: PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE PRESS STATEMENT, 2 MAY 2005

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing away of former President Dr Wee Kim Wee and would like to convey their condolences to his family. The late Dr Wee passed away peacefully at his home at 5.10 am this morning.

As a mark of respect to Dr Wee Kim Wee, the State flag on all Government buildings will be flown at half-mast from Tuesday 3 May to Friday 6 May 2005.

The Government has accepted the wishes of the late Dr Wee Kim Wee and his family in making the following funeral arrangements. The Government will provide all the necessary assistance.

The body of the late Dr Wee Kim Wee will lie in state at the Istana from 12:00 pm on Tuesday 3 May 05 till 4:00 pm on Thursday 5 May 05. The public may pay their last respects at the Istana from 12:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Tuesday 3 May 05, and from 9:30 am to 9:00 pm on Wednesday 4 May. On Thursday 5 May members of the diplomatic corps and other officials may pay their last respects.

The body of the late Dr Wee Kim Wee will be transported back to the family residence at Siglap in the evening of Thursday 5 May 05 to enable the family to hold a private wake.

On Friday 6 May 05, the cortege will leave from the family residence at 4:30 pm, for cremation at Mandai Crematorium.

A Funeral Service for the family and invited guests will be held at the Mandai Crematorium just before the cremation. In accordance with the wishes of the family, this will be a simple and non-religious service. The Last Post will be played.

PRIME MINISTER’S OFFICE
2 MAY 2005

There seems to be a stark contrast between this and that of Dr Ong's demise; 1st people-elected president of Singapore whom voiced out his differences...

Singapore Government Press Release
Media Division, Ministry of Information, Communications and The Arts,
MITA Building, 140 Hill Street, 2nd Storey, Singapore 179369
Tel: 837-9666

PRESS RELEASE

The Prime Minister and his Cabinet colleagues are sad to learn of the passing away of ex-President Ong Teng Cheong and would like to convey their condolences to his family.

As a mark of respect to ex-President Ong, the State flag on all Government buildings will be lowered to half-mast on the day of his funeral i.e. Tuesday, 12 February 2002.

The Government will be providing the necessary assistance to the family in its funeral arrangement. The SAF/Police will provide the coffin bearer party, vigil guards and escort band for the funeral march. The Police will provide crowd/traffic control, where necessary. In addition, the Government will provide a ferry service to bring visitors from the designated car parks to the residence to pay their last respects.

PRIME MINISTER'S OFFICE
8 FEBRUARY 2002

It's not easy being the president of this island state...