Vivy Sofinas Archive

When you do something good, you shouldn’t do it to get recognition or even to expect anything in return. You do it for genuine reasons; to help others, to make yourself happy, or anything else that motivates you to do something good.

I participated in the TLC Promise Me programme., not because I wanted fame or fortune, but I really wanted to be able to help someone and in the process, help me become a more grounded person too.

Mdm Chan is a stroke victim and after getting to know her and her daughter, I realized that I’ve got it good. Not the material things, but the fact that I have all my senses working and I don’t need assistance to walk/talk etc. You really never know how to appreciate something until it’s gone.

I got a Raya message from Mdm Chan and it felt so good to be remembered by her! Like I said, never expect anything after you’ve given your all for a good cause, but when you actually DO get something back, it’s a bonus!

Like this TLC recognition certificate.

TLC had a wrap-up event to close the TLC Promise Me campaign. I wasn’t able to attend due to my schedule, but I got some pictures from Nuffnang for you guys to see.

All of the Nuffnang bloggers who participated got up to get their certificates and had a group photo with all the other participants. Must’ve been fun to gather and share stories!

Thanks to TLC for organizing this campaign, thanks to Nuffnang for letting me be a part of this campaign, thanks to A Cut Above and Mimpikita for being my awesome sponsors, and thanks Mdm Chan and Cathy for letting me into your lives.

Even without this TLC programme, we should all do our part in helping the lives of others in any way we can.

P/S: You can read about my TLC Promise Me experience with Mdm Chan by entering “TLC Series” in the PD search box on the side bar.

Madam Chan’s wish is to go for a day out shopping…

Cathy only wanted to go out on weekdays when there were not too many people so it would be easier for Mdm Chan, both Cathy and I had to take time off work for this pledge. But it was worth it after seeing how happy Madam Chan was.

We started off with breakfast at The Loaf in Pavilion (one of my blog reader’s suggestion) and it was really nice. We sat by the glass window so Mdm Chan could have the view of cars passing by. The Loaf isn’t amazing for wheelchairs as it has so many levels, so Cathy and I took food for Mdm Chan.

Retro in my Marc by Marc Jacobs sunnies! Hehe.

After breakfast, we took Madam Chan around Pavilion. She has never been there after her stroke, so I think she was pretty excited. She kept pointing here and there to indicate to us where she wanted to go, so it was pretty easy taking her around.

At her age, she really didn’t want to shop. Shopping to her just means taking a stroll and jalan-jalan. Clearly our definitions of shopping differ, but hey, hers was pretty fun too!

We passed by the food court and she pointed to food. Since it was lunchtime, the three of us sat at the food court and had chicken rice! Eating time again…weeee!!

During the day, I had the opportunity to learn more about stroke patients but also interesting was what the whole family has to go through. Everybody has to learn to be patient and to be helpful, and really sacrifice a lot of their time because stroke patients really require a lot of attention.

Mdm Chan cannot feel both her legs and her right arm, so her only movement is her left arm. During the day, Cathy and her sister go to work and Mdm Chan’s 70 year-old husband takes care of her (if that isn’t true love, I don’t know what is…). When Cathy and her sister return from work, they take care of her. Every week, Mdm Chan goes to NASAM for her physiotherapy and Cathy has to take leave from work to bring her.

The way I saw Cathy care for Mdm Chan, it really touched me. Mdm Chan has become her whole life, and Cathy has to forgo a lot of things because her mom is her priority. Mdm Chan actually cries if Cathy comes home late from work, so Cathy joked with me, “How to go dating like this?!” Hehe. In all seriousness, she did admit that it’s really hard to find a guy who would accept her mom as she is. And that is such a sad reality.

I thought it would be so nice to have a girly session with these 2 ladies, so where else but the hair salon?

A cut above Bangsar Village II has kindly agreed to sponsor haircuts for these two lovely ladies, Mdm Chan and Cathy. Their stylists were Vlee Lau and Magdalene Tan. Thank you so much, you guys, for your kind participation in my pledge! Thank you, A Cut Above!

Mdm Chan and Cathy both got haircuts! Cathy had no idea because I had only told her it was for Mdm Chan. Thought it would be a nice surprise for her because she really deserves it for devoting so much love to her mother.

Stylist Vlee

Stylist Magdalene

They got bored of me, so I camwhored by myself hehe.

My pledge has been fulfilled but it’s just not right to stop here. I’ll be sure to continue this friendship I have with Mdm Chan and Cathy!

The gorgeous Mimpikita top for Mdm Chan

The wonderful Mdm Chan

THANK YOU TO MIMPIKITA AND A CUT ABOVE FOR THEIR GENEROUS SPONSORSHIPS!

Since I had to travel, I have not been able to meet Madam Chan but have been in close contact with her daughter, Cathy. Texting her at work and all. Hehe.

Madam Chan’s Mimpikita blouse is in the works and will be ready for her special surprise at the end of my pledge. I’m sure it will look lovely on her!

I have 2 more meets with her. When I get back to KL, I have arranged a lunch and jalan-jalan session with Madam Chan and Cathy. I asked Cathy where Madam Chan would prefer to go around and Cathy said anywhere is fine. Doesn’t help!! Can anyone suggest a wheelchair-friendly mall that would be appealing to a 60-year old lady?

My last meet with her will be a surprise. It’s not included in her pledge, but I thought it would be nice to do a little something for Madam Chan. I am now working to settle everything and I will reveal it once everything has been confirmed!

I met Madam Chan!!

She was lovely!! She smiled, she laughed, she said a few words. Her stroke is not very bad, thank God. She just can’t walk, but she can move her upper body well. According to her daughter, Cathy, she has had stroke for 3 years. At the beginning stage, she couldn’t even move out of bed. Thankfully, she got better throughout the years.

I was so excited to tell her stories and to hear her stories but my excitement was dampened because she doesn’t really speak Malay or English… *slaps forehead* When I learned that she can only converse in Cantonese, I was tempted to break a record of learning the language in a couple of days. Hehe. But sadly, I’m no genius. So, Cathy kindly translated for us.

The first meeting was actually for us to get to know each other. Have lunch and chat.

But it didn’t go as planned.

Because Mr. Weatherman decided it would rain cats and dogs!!

I managed to get my first task done, though; To get Madam Chan a tailor-made blouse, custom-made to her preference.

Mimpikita has kindly agreed to sponsor me. As I am one of their loyal customers, I know that Mimpikita can give the best to Madam Chan.

Nurul and her designer were there to greet us and kindly helped Madam Chan on and off her wheelchair. It was raining heavily and everyone was so helpful with the umbrellas!

Madam Chan was shown colour templates to choose the colour of her blouse. She took a while to decide because we were excitedly shoving ideas to her!

This is nice, that is nice, this and that are nice, Oh this is also nice! Which one do you want Madam Chan? Ohhh no, THIS is nice. Hehe.

After we all calmed down, she finally chose a colour; soft pink.

Nurul sketched a design and after Madam Chan gave her approval, Nurul took her measurements and her blouse was ready to be made.

The plan was to adjourn for drinks afterwards, but since it was pouring even heavier outside and we were both drenched wet, Cathy suggested we postpone to another day. I was disappointed but I knew that we’d all be more comfortable talking and eating while you know…dry….

Seriously, both Cathy and I were soaked! Like showering!

Top:Tibi

Jeans: Hudson

Even though we had a short meeting, I had a nice time meeting Madam Chan and Cathy. I got to know them a little bit and they were both such lovely people.

THANK YOU TO MIMPIKITA FOR THE SPONSORSHIP

Sssshhhh nobody tell Opah ok!! Even she doesn’t have a Mimpikita top!

Continuation from the previous TLC Series post

TLC Promise Me pledge programme was launched by Dato’ Seri Shahrizat last Monday.

They played the video again and I wanted to cry… again!

This one cheeky little boy in front wishes for a squad of soldiers to parade in front of Rumah Aman.

Dato’ Seri Shahrizat’s response, “Errr I will speak to the Minister of Defence!”

So cute!!!

Some pics of other bloggers who have pledges of their own:

Nuffie Sara, me, Nuffie Michelle and Kimberlycun

Me, Kimberlycun, Teycindy, Saimatkong

Me and Vivien

Ok, I shall reveal my pledge now (even though you would’ve found out on the TLC promise me website and Nuffnang website too! pfttt)

I pledged to fulfil the wish of Madam Chan from NASAM (National Stroke Association Malaysia) Ampang.

Her wish is…..

To…..

Go…..

SHOPPING.

Hahhahahahaha. WEEEEEEE!!!!!!

How fun is that for the BOTH of us?!!

I smell a new BFF.

I can’t wait to meet her. I haven’t met her yet, but have spoken to her daughter. We shall be meeting for the first time next week!

For the next couple of weeks, I have planned fun outings for Madam Chan.

But if any of you would like to support me, or give me suggestions on where to go and what to do, pls do leave a comment for me to give the best to Madam Chan.

LC (The Truly Loving Company) is a company that sells household cleaning products and also bodycare products. If you don’t know about TLC, that is all it is to you.

Well, there’s more to TLC than that.

All of its dividends are given to charity. 100%. There are currently 5 charities that they work with, and more information can be gotten from their website.

They have recently come up with a campaign called “TLC Promise Me” pledge. Basically, you can take on a pledge to help an individual with a unique request. Some might want to learn English, some might want to get a haircut, some might want to be taken out to dinner; their wishes range hugely.

I, along with other 4 other bloggers, have decided to take on pledges of our own.

We had to do a little media shoot for this campaign. I was fine when I walked in, but as soon as the red light on the camera came on, I went blank. Which is so weird because I’m so talkative in real life!!

Oh god, it went so bad…. I hope you never see the roll. Actually, I hope you guys get to see it! But as soon as my pale face comes on screen, you’ll accidentally sit on the remote and switch off the TV or something….

But anyway, that should be the least of anyone’s concern. Back to the focal point here. We were given a video presentation of what TLC is all about, and the graphics of the charity homes made us all emotional. Seriously, we have it so good. The charity homes have put a smile on their faces, but there’s really no reason why we shouldn’t give them a bigger smile.

All of us getting emotional

My reasons to take on a pledge are simple:

1. This campaign is unique in that it actually helps individuals personally and helps them fulfil their own personal dream.
2. TLC is a charitable organisation that finds other means to raise funds (selling products) rather than asking outrightly.
3. I feel responsible as a healthy and able human being to make someone else happy.

I have been assigned to a 60-year old lady from NASAM (National Stroke Association Malaysia). I don’t want to reveal her wish yet. Surprise for the next post! I will take you through my journey with her in my TLC Series and I hope this will somehow motivate you to take on a pledge of your own.

The TLC Promise Me pledge campaign will be launched on the 5^th of July at 4 pm in Bangsar Shopping Centre concourse. It will be officiated by Dato Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil. Come join us and help make a difference.