From:
Date: Sat, Mar 7, 2009 at 12:14 AM
Subject: Thank you for your courage
To: scalingwalls.siewmay@gmail.com
Dear Siew May,
Today, I received your book 'Scaling Walls' in my office. It was signed by you. You wrote: Dear (requested to be unknown), Hope my story renews your strength and faith in (resquested to be unknown)."
I do not know who sent this book to me. It must be an angel who knows that I need all the hope and faith in the world.
My 4-year-old son,(name Unknown), is autistic. He is so handsome and perfect but we just could not understand him. But my faith that 'everyone has a role to play in this world' keeps me going. I will wait till the day he calls me 'mummy'.
Let's not give up. Tomorrow will be a better day for all of us. Thank you for your lovely book and the angel who sent it to me.
Love,
Scaling Walls- My Story
Order @
Email:scalingwalls.siewmay@gmail.com
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090227-125020.html
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
---------- Forwarded message ----------From: Date: Mon, Mar 16, 2009 at 1:49 AM Subject: Cheers To A Spirited Fighter - Thank You For The Inspiring Story To: scalingwalls.siewmay@gmail.com
Dearest Siew May
I have just finished reading your book, Scaling Walls - My Story, two minutes ago and would like to share my thoughts with you.First of all, congratulations on having written such a wonderful story.
I don't know how this book landed in my home and from the front cover, I could tell it was not one of the canonical European novels I was used to reading. But once I opened it, I was held riveted and completed it at one go. This really proves that we cannot judge a book by its cover and it is true on so many levels, in so many ways, as you convinced us in the book.
Your simple and touching story of strength, honesty and courage did not need any embellishments in style or language.I found myself nodding in awe and agreement to your reflections. We all go through times of uncertainty, insecurity and fear. This applies to everyone, from disabled to normal, and ordinary to extraordinary. Yours were perhaps greater in magnitude than many others', yet you persevered and emerged winner in every way.
So thank you for reminding us, through your book, that we should never give up. If you didn't, we don't have the right to, either. After all, you are just like any of us, nothing less, probably more.Thank you, Siew May, also for sharing the love and friendship you've received.
Indeed, there are walls people erect to contain us and still others we build to hide within. But sincerity and kindness from people who care, can fill and break these barriers. Sometimes we forget to appreciate and thank them. You have, again, reminded us to be grateful.To end, this letter is not about me or my experiences but my respect and admiration for you as a spirited fighter with so much grace. I am sure your determined mind and heart will see you through every blessing and challenge further down the road less taken. Along this route, I wish you every happiness and success. I hope you'll continue to write and share with us more inspiring stories that shine and satiate one's soul.
With my very best wishes,
Private
Email from Readers
Date: Fri, Feb 13, 2009 at 11:37 AMSubject: Re: Hello Siew MayTo: scalingwalls.siewmay@gmail.com
Dear Siew May,
I am a friend of Chris Sims and I have read your book "Scaling Walls". It's a very good book & I really enjoyed reading it. You have brought back memories of my childhood as I was also living in a kampong. I was living in Pasir Panjang 10 miles which is where Pandan & Teban Gardens are currently.
You are really such a remarkable person and after having read your book, I feel motivated and also a better understanding of life. You are right. All of us have our fears which prevented us from achieving the things we want in life. Most of us prefer to remain in our comfort zone. And I can't imagine your determination to reach the top of Mt Kinabalu! I have climbed Mt. Kinabalu 3 times and each time I kept asking why am I torturing myself but once at the summit, it's well worth it.
I love climbing mountains because life is just like climbing a mountain. It's steep & treacherous in some part and then it levels off and then up again. It's endless. We have to stay strong, focus & positive inorder to succeed.
My best wishes to you and I hope to meet up with you some day.
Best regards
Lisa Heng
Dear Siew May,
I am a friend of Chris Sims and I have read your book "Scaling Walls". It's a very good book & I really enjoyed reading it. You have brought back memories of my childhood as I was also living in a kampong. I was living in Pasir Panjang 10 miles which is where Pandan & Teban Gardens are currently.
You are really such a remarkable person and after having read your book, I feel motivated and also a better understanding of life. You are right. All of us have our fears which prevented us from achieving the things we want in life. Most of us prefer to remain in our comfort zone. And I can't imagine your determination to reach the top of Mt Kinabalu! I have climbed Mt. Kinabalu 3 times and each time I kept asking why am I torturing myself but once at the summit, it's well worth it.
I love climbing mountains because life is just like climbing a mountain. It's steep & treacherous in some part and then it levels off and then up again. It's endless. We have to stay strong, focus & positive inorder to succeed.
My best wishes to you and I hope to meet up with you some day.
Best regards
Lisa Heng
Email from Readers
Date: Sun, Feb 22, 2009 at 1:39 AM Subject: Thank You noteTo: scalingwalls.siewmay@gmail.com
Dear Sister Siew May,
Hi! I'm Poh Long from Charis Tabernacle, forgive me for not introducing myself when I bought your book from you. First of all, really thanks for sharing with us your testimony! If you had not shared your testimony, I would not have the chance to read your book, and be touched by your story.
I guess most of my life, I wallow in self pity too. I came from a poor family, and I always resented my parents for not working hard enough for me to lead a comfortable life. Time to time, I always compared myself to be lower than others, not having nice shoes to wear, not getting to travel to other countries and stuff. When I was 18, my father had a stroke and his left side of the body was paralysed, making him partially disabled. As I was reading your book, I could understand some of the feelings which you went through. I was the eldest son in my family, and my mother was not well educated and does not have a healthy body. So I took the responsibility of taking care of my family in my father's place, because he could no longer care for us anymore.
I never treasured him in my life. Even during the days after he had the stroke, there were times which I even looked down on him. I really regretted my actions that time. Anger and hatred consumed me, because after my A levels, I had to go out and work to get a stable income. I envied my other friends who can relax themselves after the exams, go overseas for holidays and stuff. A year later while I was in the Army, my father suddenly had a second stroke, and this time he slipped into a coma. I only knew of the news when I got back to my bunk after an outfield exercise, as I did not carry my phone out. I never had the chance to speak with him for the last time. He passed on a few days later in hospital.
I was 19 that time. This time round, guilt and depression consumed me. Several times I thought of just ending my life too – I don't see the reason to endure the harsh trainings in army and to lose a family member when I'm stuck in army. My Army allowance was used to support my family, but it wasn't enough. I still have 2 younger brothers at home who are still schooling. My dream of going to university was shattered because there was even hardly enough money to go buy, let alone afford an expensive university education. That was the darkest period of my life.
But I was fortunate. Praise the Lord, I was given a scholarship which enables me to study and support my family at the same time. Subsequently I came to know the Lord through a pastor, and my life is never the same again.
That is why when I read about your life story, I can relate to some of the emotions and thoughts that you were having at that time – supporting your family and pursuing an education. But the trials which I faced are nothing compared to what you have endured through. Thank you so much, because through your story, I have learnt what is true courage, and I am inspired by you to live to the best of my life. You're right – one must have a dream to keep things going. And from now on, every time I feel like giving up on something, I will always remember the many lessons which I learned from you, and I will never give up trying.
You mentioned in your book that you want to be a contributor to this society. You already did. Your book has made a difference in me. Thank you so much!
May the Lord continue to bless you always.
Yours Sincerely,Unknown
Brother in Christ
Dear Sister Siew May,
Hi! I'm Poh Long from Charis Tabernacle, forgive me for not introducing myself when I bought your book from you. First of all, really thanks for sharing with us your testimony! If you had not shared your testimony, I would not have the chance to read your book, and be touched by your story.
I guess most of my life, I wallow in self pity too. I came from a poor family, and I always resented my parents for not working hard enough for me to lead a comfortable life. Time to time, I always compared myself to be lower than others, not having nice shoes to wear, not getting to travel to other countries and stuff. When I was 18, my father had a stroke and his left side of the body was paralysed, making him partially disabled. As I was reading your book, I could understand some of the feelings which you went through. I was the eldest son in my family, and my mother was not well educated and does not have a healthy body. So I took the responsibility of taking care of my family in my father's place, because he could no longer care for us anymore.
I never treasured him in my life. Even during the days after he had the stroke, there were times which I even looked down on him. I really regretted my actions that time. Anger and hatred consumed me, because after my A levels, I had to go out and work to get a stable income. I envied my other friends who can relax themselves after the exams, go overseas for holidays and stuff. A year later while I was in the Army, my father suddenly had a second stroke, and this time he slipped into a coma. I only knew of the news when I got back to my bunk after an outfield exercise, as I did not carry my phone out. I never had the chance to speak with him for the last time. He passed on a few days later in hospital.
I was 19 that time. This time round, guilt and depression consumed me. Several times I thought of just ending my life too – I don't see the reason to endure the harsh trainings in army and to lose a family member when I'm stuck in army. My Army allowance was used to support my family, but it wasn't enough. I still have 2 younger brothers at home who are still schooling. My dream of going to university was shattered because there was even hardly enough money to go buy, let alone afford an expensive university education. That was the darkest period of my life.
But I was fortunate. Praise the Lord, I was given a scholarship which enables me to study and support my family at the same time. Subsequently I came to know the Lord through a pastor, and my life is never the same again.
That is why when I read about your life story, I can relate to some of the emotions and thoughts that you were having at that time – supporting your family and pursuing an education. But the trials which I faced are nothing compared to what you have endured through. Thank you so much, because through your story, I have learnt what is true courage, and I am inspired by you to live to the best of my life. You're right – one must have a dream to keep things going. And from now on, every time I feel like giving up on something, I will always remember the many lessons which I learned from you, and I will never give up trying.
You mentioned in your book that you want to be a contributor to this society. You already did. Your book has made a difference in me. Thank you so much!
May the Lord continue to bless you always.
Yours Sincerely,Unknown
Brother in Christ
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)