SINGAPORE – The 13-year-old boy with brain cancer who had a wish to have his fill of patting golden retrievers died on Sunday (Oct 30).

Lahl Isaac, who turned 13 last month, got his wish fulfilled when about 100 golden retrievers showed up at the Botanic Gardens for his birthday party on Sept 17.

The party, organised by ophthalmologist Leo Seo Wei and other golden retriever owners, drew a crowd of about 200 people, many of whom came with gifts for the boy.

Isaac’s mother, Madam Tan Mei Lee, 54, told The Straits Times that her son was admitted to KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital on Tuesday (Oct 25) with a high fever.

“His tumour had affected his organs. He had weak lungs and had to use a ventilator,” said Madam Tan, who teaches at the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.

“The doctors said he wouldn’t last the weekend. He wanted to go home, so we rushed him home.”

Isaac was discharged on Saturday (Oct 29) and died the next day at home. He was buried on Monday (Oct 31).

“I feel it was a bit sudden,” said Madam Tan. “I did not expect him to go so soon. I was hoping for his condition to improve.”

“At least he’s not suffering. I miss him.”

100 dogs help fulfill 13-year-old cancer patient’s birthday wish

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The Straits Times

Dr Leo, who shared the news of Isaac’s death with the Golden Retriever Club – Singapore Facebook group, wrote: “His parents reiterated their gratitude to all who helped to make “Isaac’s 13th birthday with the golden retrievers” a success.

Isaac truly loved dogs. When we visited him a few days ago and presented him with a golden retriever dog model, his eyes lit up.”

Dr Leo said she visited Isaac in the hospital on Thursday (Oct 27) with her husband and son.

She told The Straits Times: “I am quite shocked. He was still in good spirits when we saw him on Thursday.

“He held the golden retriever figurine I bought him. He smiled and his eyes lit up. He was so happy.

“He was even keen to join me and some other volunteers at a dog cafe this Saturday(Nov 5).”

Dr Leo added that she will remember Isaac for his positive spirit.

“Sometimes we get caught up with our lives and forget the simple things that matter,” she said.

“Isaac showed us how the simple things which we take for granted could light up his life. It made a difference to him.”

Madam Tan said she wanted to thank everyone who helped Isaac, including those who came for the golden retriever party, the hospital staff, as well as the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

The foundation, which grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses, sponsored a trip to Tokyo in August for Isaac, his parents and his older sister.

There, Isaac got to visit the Pokemon Centre, the zoo and an owl cafe, among other things.

Madam Tan added that many people contacted her to offer help after the article on the golden retriever gathering came out.

Former Malaysian politician Tan Sri Lim Ah Lek even went as far as introducing them to a sinseh in Kuala Lumpur and paying for two rounds of treatment, which included acupuncture and herbs, said Madam Tan.

“He was a stranger but yet he was so kind and so concerned,” said Madam Tan.

“I really want to thank him and everyone else for their kind thoughts.”

This article was first published on Oct 31, 2016.
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SINGAPORE – His love for water sports blossomed when he began going for swimming lessons with his younger sister when he was seven years old.

Mr Koh Kah Wei went on to achieve accolades in swimming, diving, triathlons and his favourite sport, kayaking.

The 30-year-old was in his kayak on Saturday when it hit driftwood and overturned in a river in Perak, Malaysia. His friends tried to help him but he was swept away by strong currents.

His body was found the next day with his shirt stuck between rocks in Sungai Tesong – about 1km from where he fell into the river.

Mr Koh’s family paid tribute to him yesterday at his wake in Anchorvale Drive today (Oct 31).

His 64-year-old father, Mr Koh Heng Choy, said that his only son loved the outdoors.

To enable him to pursue his passions, lorry driver Mr Koh senior used to work part time as a taxi driver so his son could attend swimming and kayaking lessons. In recent years, his son attained a powered pleasure craft driving licence.

“He was very fit – he had many certificates and medals, and also ran marathons,” he said. “Whatever he liked to do, as parents, we supported him.”

His mother, a housewife, sobbed as she spoke to relatives yesterday after Mr Koh’s sister and his girlfriend of more than three years, returned home from Malaysia this morning with his body.

Mr Koh worked as an instructor for about three years at the People’s Association (PA) Water-Venture, which conducts water and adventure sports activities.

About two months ago, he left the job and started conducting lifesaving and swimming courses.

“He believed in ‘safety first’. He was found with his helmet still on, but his life vest was gone,” said his father. “Maybe it was caught between the branches … it’s fate.”

Mr Koh had been kayaking in Perak several times before.

Friend Mr Melvyn Leong, 28, who met Mr Koh about eight years ago through a kayaking group, said: “He taught life saving and swimming but unfortunately, he could not save his own life at the very last moment.”

The licensed craft engineer added that Mr Koh was a friendly and jovial person, respected as the leader in group kayaking expeditions. He said: “While kayaking, he would look after the safety of the group by paddling back and forth just to make sure everyone is well.”

Said his father: “He was going to earn enough money to get married… I thought he would take care of me when I grow old, but he was taken away in his prime.”

This article was first published on Oct 31, 2016.
Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

8.8km bicycle network rolled out in Punggol

YUEN SIN

Getting around will now be much easier for Punggol residents.

The town’s 8.8km bicycle network was unveiled yesterday after construction work started in June last year, making it the seventh town here to have its own cycling network.

The off-road cycling paths will give residents a seamless route from their homes to train stations, schools and other amenities. They also link up to Sengkang via the Punggol Park Connector Network.

Senior Minister of State for Transport Ng Chee Meng said at the unveiling ceremony at Punggol 21 Community Club that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has also been beefing up the availability of bicycle parking.

There are now about 325 parking lots at Punggol MRT for residents, and Mr Ng, who is also a Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP, has asked the LTA to look into providing bicycle racks at LRT stations.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean and Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MPs Janil Puthucheary and Sun Xueling were also present at the ceremony.

Mr Ng added that the Round Island Route, a 150km continuous green trail that links to Pasir Ris, Changi Bay and Gardens by the Bay East, will also pass through Punggol.

“With these improvements to cycling connectivity, Punggol residents will find it easier to get around without driving, and this is critical in supporting our vision of a car-lite Singapore,” he said.

Jurong Lake will also get a bicycle network of its own next year.

Cycling path networks were completed in Yishun last year and Changi-Simei this year.

yuensin@sph.com.sg

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