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Despite her financial difficulties, she contributed what she could to charitable causes. Born in Singapore, she was known in her youth as "the HelenKeller of Southeast Asia", as a reference to indicate that, like Keller, Chan is a highlyaccomplished deaf and blind person. She kept in touch with the news and with friends using BrailleNote, a computer for the visually impaired.
In 2005 Theresa starred in Singapore film-maker Eric Khoo’s movie, Be with Me.
It was based on her life story and she was credited as a writer for the film.
Chan is credited as a writer for the film as well, considered because her writings about her life were part of the inspiration for the film.
Achievements
Born in Singapore, she was known in her youth as "the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia", as a reference to indicate that, like Keller, Chan is a highly accomplished deaf and blind person.
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In the United States, Poh Lin Chan was educated at the Perkins School for the Blind where she learned to understand and speak English and read Braille as well as dance, ice skate, knit, and horseback ride.Career
Chan has been deaf since age 12, and deafblind since age 14. She enjoyed considerable media coverage while abroad, often being dubbed the Helen Keller of Southeast Asia. Her friends helped her with shopping and took her out for swimming and meals. In 1961, her dream of meeting Helen Keller came true when she visited her hero in Connecticut.
She spent 13 years in the United States.
In April 2016, she was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer but refused treatment. Unable to see or hear, when her parents were at work she sat by herself in the tiny cubicle that was the family’s home in Sago Lane. She also starred in the feature film, Be with Me, a Singaporeanmovie in three parts. She became a craft teacher at the Singapore School for the Blind, but lost the job in 1990 because of cost cut-backs.
Theresa lived with and cared for her mother, a stroke patient, until the latter’s death in 1993.
Theresa Chan Poh Lin
In his 1963 book, Travelling Blind, he wrote about meeting Theresa: “She told me she wanted to learn like Helen Keller, to speak English like the Queen of England, to meet everyone in the world.” Wilson persuaded the Perkins School for the Blind in Massachusetts to accept Theresa and in 1960 she flew to Boston where she joined 30 other students at the school.
Theresa thrived at Perkins where she studied Mathematics, English, Biology and a foreign language and took part in many sports.
Two years later she lost her sight. Life offered nothing but darkness and despair.
Then a social worker chanced upon her and referred her to Elizabeth Choy, principal of the Singapore School for the Blind. Chan has been deaf since age 12, and deafblindsince age 14.
In the United States, Poh Lin Chan was educated at the PerkinsSchool for the Blindwhere she learned to understand and speakEnglish and read Braille as well as dance, ice skate, knit, and horseback ride.
She did not let her disability rule her life. She topped the school in mathematics and became president of the sports club. She met Queen Beatrix in the Netherlands, and Mother Teresa in India. Interviewed by The Straits Times then, she said she did not fear death, and added “I hope people will remember me, and remember that whatever their disabilities, they should have hope and not be unhappy and discouraged.”
Theresa died in June 2016, a month short of her 73rd birthday.
Who is Theresa Poh Lin Chan?
Chan Poh Lin, also known as Theresa Poh Lin Chan, is a writer, teacher, and one-time actor.
Theresa joined the school and learnt Braille and fingerspelling. While a student in the United States, she attended the funeral of Helen Keller.
She is the subject of a 1964 British Broadcasting Corporation radio documentary, "Child of the Silent Night: The story of Chan Poh Lin" by Stephen Grenfell.
She also starred in the feature film, Be with Maine (2005), a Singaporean movie in three parts.