The society. And us.
Since some two years ago (I think), the Singapore government has shown more efforts in making its country somewhat … more friendly for kids as well as those who are wheelchair-bound.
Nearly all MRT stations have lifts by now. More ramps are being built too.
And to me, who travel a lot with a pram and two kids, I think it’s a good move.
Now. I guess the next thing that needs to be gradually ‘changed’ is the mindset of the society in general.
Really. The reality is just rather sad, I think.
I can say, only two out of ten proactively offer help when I lift my pram (with Vai in it) onto public buses. Most will usually just stare, then look away. Including the bus driver.
At places where there are no escalators nor lifts, I’d be lifting Vai and the pram up the stairs (like, more than 20 steps), while everyone else just casually walks past.
Frankly, by now I’m used to it. I even actually find it a (nice) surprise when someone smiles and kindly offers help (or holds the door for me, Anya and the pram to go through).
The question now is whether I want to be indifferent too, especially since I live in a rather individualistic society anyway.
[I’ve given this a lot of thought, way before I had kids]
And my conclusion… I’d still be me. I guess it’s kind of a principle that I live by.
It sure is one of the values that I’ve been teaching Anya so far.
Like, remembering to say thanks and good bye to bus drivers, or saying thanks to the cleaners who wipe our food court’s table clean.
After all, our little act of kindness and appreciation towards others may change someone’s day. Someone’s life.
You never know.
