THANKSGIVING No. 11

It is the time of the year again. When I first started this blog page, I was ambitious to do a post once every two weeks, or at least once a month. But time always flies and before I know it, it would be the end of the year again. And no matter how busy I am, even when I am on leave, I will have to make this blog entry. It helps me reflect the past year and look ahead into the new year. 

Similar to past years, as I reflected, I have much to be thankful about in 2025. Summer's has much to be thankful about in 2025. 

WE ARE TEN!

Firstly, we celebrated our 10th anniversary! I could hardly believe it. To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we had Summer's Fest 2025: My Child, My Life. The turn out for the event was about 60% only but my heart was so full to receive so many well-wishes from my friends who have journeyed with me in the past ten years and more! 

Summer's Fest 2025: My Child, My Life

So many love gifts from my friends! 

WELCOME BACK, JACELYN!

Next, we welcomed Jacelyn back as a qualified Speech Therapist! Yeah, finally! She had joined Summer's in 2022 as an Early Childhood Interventionist. After a year with us, in 2023, she went off to the National University of Singapore (NUS) to do her Masters in Science (Speech Pathology). And we are thankful that Summer's had enough financial resources to sponsor her studies! So in February 2025, Jacelyn finally returned to Summer's as a qualified Speech Therapist. Eleven months on, I would consider this sponsorship as one of the best decision and commitment Summer's had ever made! This is because Jacelyn shares the same values as me and as Summer's - valuing each child as precious, unique lives.

Jacelyn enjoying her session with a child

BEST INTERN OF 2025!

Besides Jacelyn, I would like to mention one of Summer's favourite interns in 2025 - Isaac. He is a second year Speech Science student in the University of British Columbia, Canada. He was with us for three months, during his Summer vacation. Despite his quiet and gentle demeanour, we could feel his love and heart for the children. He also embraced the Summer's culture - of open communication and compassion. He brought great joy and energy to Summer's during his time with us. And I believe that he would be a blessing to the allied health profession in the future. I hope Summer's has given him an opportunity to witness how allied health professionals can use therapeutic relationships to help clients and their families.

Isaac, the intern, on the far right, at our 10th Anniversary team building event!

YELLOW RIBBON PROJECT

This year, Summer's also had the chance to participate in a Yellow Ribbon Project (YRP). "YRP is a movement that strives to build a more inclusive society by changing society's mindset to give ex-offenders a second chance in life so that they can contribute and pay it forward to society." We hosted a lady in her thirties for six months. It was not an easy task as there were some work habits that need to be worked on, but we did it nonetheless! Now, the lady is trying to develop her career path in the mental health sector. We wish her all the best and hope the job placement with us had been helpful!

JUST LIKE HOME!

Another major thanksgiving is our very kind landlord, Mr Goh, and the beautiful space which he has been renting to us. After the shocking episode with the previous rental space, we have finally settled down in our new space in Bishan. The space is bigger and more homey. We received many positive feedback from our clients and their families. I often hear parents saying "Aiyoh! He run here run there, as if this is his house!" This makes my heart smile. This is what I want. I do not want an 'atas' looking space; I want a homey heartland feel. I want a space which really resonates with Summer's tagline "Right word. Right time. Right at home!". 

SEMI-SABATHICAL

This year, from October to December, I also had a chance to take a semi-sabathical. It was a good half-time especially having run Summer's for 10 years. Hence I reduced my work to about four days a week. The extra day of rest allowed me to have greater mind space. This gave me clarity to think about the future - for both Summer's and for my personal life. I also pondered about the question my team has been asking me since July, "Summer's is 10 this year! What's up for Summer's in the next ten?" Well... I still do not know, but I think retirement sounds good... haha! 

Jokes aside, to end this post, I would like to reflect on Summer's word of the year "HOPE":

1. There is hope that more clients and their families will be served with compassion and love, the core values of Summer's. I see it through our existing therapists - Sin En, Roger, Shanice, as well as our newly returned Jacelyn and newly hired senior therapist Shermin. 

2. There is hope that more clients will receive support for their orofacial myofunctional disorders. Sin En has been trained in June and since then, she has been working with more children and adults with orofacial myofunctional disorders, supporting their oral rest posture, nasal breathing, speech and swallowing. 

3. There is hope that we will do greater things in the next 10 years. 

Our word for 2026 is GROWTH. Let's see how 2026 pans out! 

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year!