Story 2 Live to a Ripe Old Age
Story 2 Live
to a Ripe Old Age - Interaction of hi-tech and strong will
人长寿 - 高科与意志的交互作用
“The number of
centenarians - those aged 100 and above - in Singapore has doubled over the
past 10 years, from 700 in June 2010 to 1,500 in June 2020 year. The
figure comprises citizens as well as permanent residents, who are classified as
Singapore residents, said a spokesman for the Department of Statistics.” In
2021, the number of centenarians in Hong Kong was estimated to be 11,575 (out
of a population of 7.41 million), up from 289 (out of 4.98 million people) in
1981 and about 1,890 in 2011 when the first centenarian study was launched in
the city.
Dr Lau Wai Har (刘蕙霞博士) (“Liu Hui Xia” in Hanyu Pinyin) was called home to be with the Lord on
April 29, 2020 at age 95. She is my idol. Her book The Plaster and I inspired
me to write and publish in Chinese and English languages. Her lifelong story in
coping with various medical conditions has reinforced my fortitude about health
and prowess. In her book, she shares her experience as a young student at Leeds
University, UK, between 1949 and 1951, when she studied English literature, as
well as suffering from tuberculosis in the spine and being immobilised in a
plaster bed. She managed to complete half of the university courses and
conquered the illness as well. Through the past 7 decades despite various
medical challenges and countless hi-tech treatments in Singapore General
Hospital, she has been a good patient and working steadfastly as an active
educator, writer and advocate for bilingualism and Confucius ethics. She is an
exemplar of “Live to ripe old age - Interaction of hi-tech and strong
Will” in Singapore.
Dr Lau shared her blessings with her family members, especially her sister Dr Lau Wai Ping（刘蕙平医生）, a medical doctor with SATA CommHealth retired 40 years ago, now 99 years old. One of Wai Ping‘s lifelong learning activities was Chinese painting and calligraphy. She and Wai Har had several overseas trips including arts exhibitions during their retirement. Living to ripe old age, reaching 100 years old, could it be the benefit of practising Chinese painting and calligraphy? Mr Chui Choo Sin (徐祖桑先生) 101 years old is still engaging in Chinese calligraphy and has donated many of his art works to help raise funds for charity. Well-known artist Mr Lim Tze Peng (林子平先生)，died of pneumonia in Singapore on 3 February 2025, at the age of 103. He was awarded a Cultural Medallion in 2003 in recognition of his contribution to the country's art and culture. His last exhibition was “Songs of the River” at Ode To Art, Singapore.
Dr
Lau Wai Ping’s niece Mrs Lydia Hon (Madam Lau Ho Yue), a retired teacher and a
grandmother, moved in after Dr Lau Wai Har passed away 6 years ago. Hence Wai
Ping is very blessed, taken good care by Lydia and a personal helper plus an
experienced maid for the family. During this Chinese New Year visit on Feb 20,
Dr Lau Wai Ping closed her eyes and didn’t talk much, could not remember who we
(Mrs Fang Yuet Kwai, Madam Wong Yoke Choy and I) are but kept saying in
Cantonese “you all eat”, pointing at the cookies, fruits and Baikwa bought by
Lydia, ‘Lou bai goh’（turnip
cake） and almond tea prepared by
Yoke Choy (Mrs Chao Tzee Cheng).
Wai
Ping (demented) became active after putting on the head phone while Yoke Chor
using the mini microphone to speak with her. When she heard “live to 100” she said “dont want 100 years so old” 。What
a surprise! It’s the ever first time Lydia heard her saying that. Another surprise was during the visit by Prof
To last year on July 23, Wai Ping reading aloud in Cantonese the three Chinese
character “跑马地” ( in
English is “Happy Valley” – name of a place famous for horse racing in Hong
Kong).
My maternal 4th aunt Mrs Dickson
Yeung (Wong Wai Yiu 黄蕙饶) passed on last
October, aged 104, in Hong Kong after running a life time ‘Marathon’,
overcoming obstacles big or small all the way. When she was 101 years old, even
though already in bedridden condition, her specialist doctor gave her a good
report in terms of physical and social health: “She was alert and calm,
following simple commands, but not much talking”. She had an athletic outgoing
nature, optimistic attitude and also an aptitude for art, music and handicraft.
She went to the Guan Zhou Sports School
for secondary education in, Canton, China the mid1930s.
During the quarantine
she was asked to stay at the assigned quarantine hotel by the Hong Kong SAR
government. Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport she had to show
proof of (US 48 hours) test status and also required a swab test immediately.
Since she passed the test they took her to the hotel by the quarantine bus. At
the quarantine hotel (Dorsett which is facing the Happy Valley racecourse), she
ought to stay inside her room until the quarantine time is over. The health
department monitored each floor to make sure nobody breaks the rules. The
punishment was put one in jail. No room service was provided but they gave her
3 days of basic amenities, bed sheets, towels, etc. Three meals a day and two
snacks, she could pick her menus the night before. She was asked to take her
body temperature 3 times a day and the health department tested her the day
before she left the hotel premises. Over all her personal feelings about the
quarantine actually was fine. The bottom line the quarantine restriction was a
positive and safer solution for her as a precaution to take care of her mom at
that particular moment.
Eva’s dearest Mom, my favourite Aunt, Mrs Dickson Yeung is an exemplar
of “Live
to ripe old age – Interaction of hi-tech and strong Will” in Hong Kong.
Here I raise a
reflective question for my readers:
Live beyond 100 years old, to be or not to be?
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