When I first saw Mr Mak half a year ago on his wheelchair, my first thought was, “Wow, this uncle is handsome.”

Mr Mak is a resident of St. John’s Home for Elderly Persons. Though petite, his physique is lean and well-toned. His pixie face is seasoned and serious. His crew cut hair is half white. His big, round eyes are piercing, as if he can read what’s on your mind.

He was right outside the dining hall when I saw him, transferring himself from the walking frame to his wheelchair. I offered to help him, but he put out his right hand and waved me away, as if saying, “I can handle it. I don’t need your help.”

So my second thought was that Mr Mak is a dignified and fiercely independent old man.

It will take at least seven minutes to reach his dormitory at the far end of the Home. which sits on a 12,000m² plot of land within Sennett Estate..

Yesterday, I saw Mr Mak outside the dining hall again. It was after dinner time, and he was at his usual spot outside the dining hall. He was already seated in his wheelchair. But he wore a look of resignation, as if to say, “Oh gosh, It’s another long journey back to the dormitory, again.”

I went up to him again, and smiled. He understood that I was offering to wheel him, and he smiled, and briskly placed his walking frame onto the foot rests of this wheelchair.

We past the long passageway that leads to his dormitory. He pointed to me where he wants me to stop. And I reversed his wheelchair into a corner next to his bed. Before I went off, he extended his right hand to me. We shook hands. And he gave me a very big smile. It is his way of saying “thank you”.

Helping Mr Mak has made my day. I feel happy to be accepted by him.

Now, I understand that elderly people like Mr Mak only accepts help from those they trust.

 
(Mr Mak's usual spot outside the dining hall)