Ms Lim Meng Joke, 67 years old, suffers from a congenital heart defect and her condition could deteriorate at any time. In June 2024, she was referred to Home Care and was subsequently referred to our Art Therapist for intervention.
Born deaf and mute with complex congenital heart disease, Ms Lim Meng Joke faced extraordinary challenges throughout her life. With the support of Dover Park Hospice, she rediscovered her joy in art and a voice beyond words.
Growing up without the opportunity for formal schooling, Ms Meng Joke taught herself to draw. For years, art was her way of understanding and connecting. But as life’s struggles grew heavier, she set aside her brushes, leaving behind a part of herself that once gave her joy.
In 2024, art returned to her life in the most unexpected way. She was living with end-stage heart failure when our Home Care team extended their support. Encouraged by our Art Therapist, she picked up her brushes again.
With each stroke, she found freedom and a language beyond words that allowed her to express her innermost feelings. Her face would always light up with pride and confidence when she taught others how to draw. Memories surfaced during these sessions, filling her home with warmth, laughter and connection.
For the hospice team, her journey was a profound reminder of what it means to care. “When illness has taken away so much, there is still room for joy, creativity, and dignity,” shared our Medical Director, Dr Tricia Yung. Through art, Ms Lim reminded everyone that patient-centred care is not just about treating symptoms — it is about creating space for patients to continue blooming, right to the very end.
Today, her story stands as a testament to resilience and creativity. In every brush stroke, she found her voice again. In every piece of art, she showed that even in silence, even in one’s final phase, there can be strength, meaning and beauty.
