Born: 1943 (Singapore)
Died: 2016
Biography:
Theresa Poh Lin Chan, born on July 9, 1943, in Singapore, was a remarkable writer and teacher who left a lasting impact on society. Known as the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia in her youth, Chan overcame her deafblindness to become an inspiration for many. Her extraordinary achievements and unwavering determination to learn and connect with the world have left an indelible mark on women’s history.
From the age of 12, Chan had been deaf, and by the age of 14, she also lost her vision, making her challenges even more daunting. However, her spirits remained undeterred, and she aspired to learn like Helen Keller and communicate in English with the same eloquence as the Queen of England. Chan’s ambition caught the attention of John Wilson, the director of the Royal Commonwealth Society for the Blind, during his visit to Singapore in 1958. He described Chan as someone who wanted to meet everyone in the world. Inspired by her determination, Wilson recommended her to the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts.
Chan’s time at the Perkins School was transformative. Despite her sensory impairments, she excelled academically, particularly in Mathematics, and graduated as the school’s top student. She also became the president of the sports club, showcasing her strong leadership skills. Beyond her studies, Chan embraced various activities like dancing, ice skating, knitting, and even horseback riding. Her relentless spirit to conquer her limitations was an inspiration to her fellow students.
In 1961, Chan’s dream came true when she had the opportunity to meet Helen Keller herself in Connecticut. This meeting further fueled her determination to make a difference in the world despite her disabilities.
After spending 13 years in the United States, Chan returned to Singapore in 1973 to care for her aging parents. She became a teacher at the Singapore School for the Blind, where she imparted her knowledge and experiences to her students. However, her career took a challenging turn in 1990 when she lost her teaching position.
Despite the setbacks in her professional life, Chan continued to inspire others through her writing and storytelling. In 1964, a BBC radio documentary titled Child of the Silent Night: The Story of Chan Poh Lin was produced by Stephen Grenfell, chronicling her remarkable journey. Her life also served as the inspiration for the Singaporean feature film, Be with Me (2005), which she co-wrote. Both the documentary and the film shed light on Chan’s struggles, perseverance, and resilience.
Sadly, Theresa Poh Lin Chan passed away in June 2016, just a month before her 73rd birthday. However, her legacy endures as she was posthumously inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame in 2017. Chan’s life story continues to inspire generations, reminding us of the power of determination and the triumph of the human spirit in overcoming the most formidable challenges.
Awards:
– Inducted into the Singapore Women’s Hall of Fame (2017)
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