Meet our Volunteers
Michael Khor
Volunteering is where it's AT
With his vast technical expertise and experience as a mechanical engineer, Mr Michael Khor has contributed much to SPD’s Specialised Assistive Technology Centre, and to the clients who have come his way. We find out more on his experience as a volunteer Research Manager at SPD in a phone interview.
Firstly can you tell us a bit of your background? What do you do?
I’m a Mechanical Engineer by profession. Previously, I worked as a power station consultant, then I left to lecture at Singapore Polytechnic. Most recently I was managing SP CARE (Singapore Polytechnic Centre for Applications in Rehabilitation Engineering). But I’m now almost fully retired.
What do you do as a volunteer at the Specialised ATC?
I’m a handyman at SPD. As a volunteer Research Manager, I try to keep abreast of developments in assistive technology (AT) devices and rehab aids for disabled people. I try to involve manufacturers and researchers to create local solutions, to come up with localized versions of AT devices to bring down the cost of AT devices. AT can be expensive and many people cannot afford it. I’ve made some devices and offered them for use to SPD’s clients.
Currently, we are making modifications to the electronics and controls of one of the client’s powered wheelchair. We have modified the footrest so it doesn’t interfere with his leg. We adapted the control and switches so he can operate the wheelchair comfortably.
Basically we try to customize modifications for the user. I’ve also helped to get items at a lower cost. For instance, I helped to source for cheaper batteries for the wheelchair. It was $250 and we got it for $70 per battery, so that helped.
How did you start volunteering at SPD?
I did some projects with SPD while I was working at SP CARE and got to know Woon Yee, SPD’s Director of Technology. She invited me to join and ‘arm-twisted’ me in. (laughs) That was beginning of this year.
What motivates you to volunteer?
Your motive has to be straightforward, and you must simply want to serve and to help. We cannot save the whole world but we can do what little we can. I feel that whatever satisfaction we get out of it is the reward itself, so I don’t look for thanks.
Any memorable instances you would like to share with us on your volunteering experience?
I find it satisfying when you can do simple things to help the clients. As a volunteer, it can be hard to achieve much, and I’m unable to help out on a daily basis. I enjoy the interaction with the volunteers and the staff, and most of all being useful and trying to help disabled people.
There was one time I helped someone who had a major brain operation and he couldn’t talk. We provided a device where he could press some buttons so that it beeped to alert people whenever he needed help. He was very appreciative and wrote me a note that Christmas. Though he couldn’t write well, the note really touched me. Even now, I would take out the note when I feel discouraged and read it.
What have you learnt from being a volunteer?
As a volunteer I do not expect anything in return. In whatever I do, I’m not looking for any thanks. If I find that a client takes me for granted, I will let the staff know, but only to make a note so that future volunteers can be aware. When I was helping in SP CARE, there were cases of taxi drivers who helped and the disabled people didn’t thank them.
I find that there’s much to be done. One mustn’t be discouraged when you can’t do everything. We should just continue to try our best. An important role as a volunteer would be to encourage other volunteers, especially the newer ones.
There were also those who always try to get you to do things for them. But I have no bad feelings towards them. Putting myself in their shoes, if there’s nobody else to help me, I’ll cling on to whatever help I can get too.
Any plans for the future?
My pet project is to try and put together a cheaper text-to-voice machine (augmentative and alternative communication device) like a LightWriter. My strategy is to look at the mobile phone technology, to come up with a device that can type out words for others to read, at a lower cost.
How do you think we can improve as an organization, from your perspective?
I think SPD is pretty progressive and doing a good job, at least on the AT side. It’s always looking for new areas to improve the lot of their clients. I think that’s great.
SPD runs a volunteer programme to complement and support our programmes and services. For more enquiries and information on volunteer opportunities, please contact Alice Hue at 6579 0708, or email Alice_HUE@spd.org.sg.