Alumna Bessie Lim: Updates since Graduation

 

Alumna Bessie Lim graduated with a Master of Arts in Intercultural Studies in 2010 despite having challenges with her vision even back then. She always used to sit in front of the class so that she could hear better as she could not see the slides. She would also frantically take down notes as the lessons went by.

Over the years, her sight gradually deteriorated to the point where she lost her sense of depth and perception and she had to carry two canes, one white cane on the left hand for people who are visually impaired and a support cane on the right hand for her slipped disc problem. Bessie had no third hand to carry things so she decided to apply for a guide dog as a better solution. One day while making carrot soup, she dropped a small piece of carrot and she could not detect it. Several hours later, she noticed a pile of something black on the kitchen table top and it was moving.  These had to be ants and she had a lot of cleaning to do and Bessie lost confidence in herself in being able to take care of a guide dog and soon withdrew her application.

However, two years ago, a personnel from Guide Dog Singapore (GDS) called Bessie to inform her that they had a dog that would pair well with her. It surprised her as she had already removed herself from the waiting list for a guide dog. But GDS suggested to have a meet-up and it was love at first sight for both of them. But Bessie was still afraid that she could not take good care of the guide dog and so she prayed, and three times Jesus answered by saying, “Do not be afraid to take Jade as your guide dog.”  At the third time, she decided that she did not have to ask anymore. She called GDS and said, “Yes, I will take Jade as my guide dog.”

Jade came from a litter from Melbourne. Her boarders Sherman and Doris fostered her for seven months before her trainer Christina handed her over to Bessie. Guide dogs go through very strict program. The dogs who are found not suitable to be guide dogs, may be trained as other service dogs where applicable or become pets. To ensure that Jade is in optimal health to perform as a guide dog, Bessie has to make sure that Jade has sufficient exercises and keeps a healthy weight.

These past two years of living with Jade as her guide dog has brought tremendous joy and greater mobility for Bessie. Guide dogs are legally allowed in Singapore on all forms of public transport and all food and beverages outlets including Halal certified ones. However, in many shops or spaces, Jade was not welcomed as people are still not used to having guide dogs in most public places in Singapore. Jade and Bessie still face a lot of rejections when calling for cabs and patronizing food and beverage outlets. Currently, there are less than 10 guide dogs locally. Bessie and Jade through GDS go to schools, hospitals or organisations to give talks about the work of a Guide Dog that gives the public greater awareness of what guide dogs do. Hopefully, it will help make the Singaporean society a more inclusive society where the visually impaired with their guide dogs are welcomed in more spaces.

On a personal note, Bessie’s father (mid 80s) has also recently received Jesus as his Lord and Saviour and on the afternoon of 26 July, he received his baptism. This is an answered prayer for Bessie to be able to witness her father receive salvation and baptism in the Lord.

Prayer Requests:

1. For Bessie’s father to continue to understand God’s grace in his life and grow in his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. For Bessie to continue to raise awareness of the work that guide dogs do and help make the society a more inclusive one.