Miss Norris

This note was first sent as email blast to RGS Alumni database on 6th March 2012:

Dear Friends of Miss Norris

As you may know, Miss Norris suffered a stroke late November last year. She has been warded in Tan Tock Seng Hospital ever since. Many of you have gone to see her. She has made steady progress and should ready for discharge but the doctors at TTSH, as well as the Medical Social Worker has said that she is not yet capable of taking decisions regarding her own care. Since Miss Norris has no next-of-kin in Singapore who has come forward to mind her affairs, the hospital has strongly recommended that a Deputy Panel (DP) be set up to do the same.

Serendipitously, a few of us had been discussing severally and informally how to help Miss Norris going forward. A first meeting was called by Dr Jean Ong, Chair ORA Woman’s Chapter, and held on 11 Feb 2012 in RGS. At this meeting, about half a dozen old girls and ex-principals came forward to volunteer. In addition, another half a dozen have agreed to be in an advisory/support group. Mrs Carmee and I chatted with Miss Norris when we visited her on 24 Feb and she is happy that a small group be formed to be empowered to handle her matters. This group,called the Deputy Panel, will have to be appointed by Court. This will take up to 3 months. In the meantime, we will function as the protem DP. At Miss Norris request, we have also asked two of her church friends to be on board. The protem DP comprises Mrs Carmee Lim, Mrs Deborah Tan, Ms Teo Mei Wan, Ms Koh Mui Keng, Ms Celine Chandy, Dr Stephanie Leonard and myself. The role of the DP is to look after all affairs including: Finance, Medical, Well Being, Home Care, etc. On the Advisory Panel are Dr Jean Ong (medical) , Ms Susan Leong ( legal) , Mrs Wong Peck Sim ( homecare). On behalf of the protem DP, I am writing this email to keep you in the loop. We understand that the care and concern for Miss Norris is over whelming and that various smaller groups have been galvanised to raise funds and make resources available for her. This is most heartwarming. We know that you, like us, have Miss Norris’ well-being and best interest at heart, and will certainly look to your support.

In order that we have a coordinated effort, the protem DP has registered an gmail address: friendsofmissnorris@gmail.com to which you can send all enquiries. Please reply to this address with your email address which will go into our database. We are looking also to start a blogsite/website/facebook, and will keep you informed regularly.

Sincerely,

Madeleine Lee

RGS Class of 1978